is there a reliable mod for the XBOX 360 Elite yet and if so how do peeps charge to do it

1) depends on the type of dvd drive it has (read the PINNED in Newbie Chat)

2) the Modchip Installers/Flashers Forums are further down

Just don't go on Live with your backups, or you will simply get banned.

Yes, go to Modchip Development forum, there are a couple topics about successful NME v1.2 installs on Hitachi 79.

Better yet dont get online period with a modded system and you wont have
to worry about getting banned.

just get your firmware flashed with ixtreme and you'll be safe. anything else, and you run the risk of getting a live ban, even if your backups are only played offline.

you can tell what kind of drive you have from this picture.
http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/xbox360/dvd/TS-HLG.jpg

if it doesn't look like either of those, you probably have an unmoddable drive.