Patricia Gilmartin on wed 2 may 07
I have received my first commission order (two good-sized ceramic
sculptures for a children's hospital). I have no experience with
handling commissions ... does anyone have any advice for the business
aspects of it. For example, I assume I should ask for part-payment up
front and the rest on completion, but there are probably other things I
should consider too. Any advice?
Paul Lewing on wed 2 may 07
On May 2, 2007, at 4:23 PM, Patricia Gilmartin wrote:
I have received my first commission order (two good-sized ceramic
sculptures for a children's hospital). I have no experience with
handling commissions ... does anyone have any advice for the business
aspects of it. For example, I assume I should ask for part-payment up
front and the rest on completion, but there are probably other things I
should consider too.
Get a contract, and don't do anything but drawings till you have a
deposit in hand. Fifty percent is pretty standard. Be sure the
contract delineates who is responsible for what (installation,
transportation, shipping, etc.) and payment schedule. Make sure it
says that you have license to alter the design if you as an artist
feel that it is esthetically necessary. If you have to meet with a
committee, insist that it be no more than 3 people, and 2 is better.
Be very clear as to what you will be producing. You don't have to go
into great detail as to ceramic processes, but you should specify a
size range, a finish, and whether it is appropriate to put it
outside. If it is to go outside make sure it really will. Your
worst nightmare is that two years from now it starts to crumble
because it wasn't frostproof. Ask a reasonable price for this. Just
because it's your first commission doesn't mean that you don't
deserve to get paid for it, especially if they came to you. Keep in
mind that it will probably take longer and cost more to do than you
think it will, and if it doesn't work and you have to make it over,
get a price that's high enough that you still don't lose money.
And enjoy it!
Paul Lewing
www.paullewingtile.com
Patty Kaliher on thu 3 may 07
Contact me directly. I am leaving now but I do have forms on my computer
used by an artist rep to handle commissions. Simple contract.
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Patricia
Gilmartin
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 7:23 PM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: advice on commissions?
I have received my first commission order (two good-sized ceramic
sculptures for a children's hospital). I have no experience with
handling commissions ... does anyone have any advice for the business
aspects of it. For example, I assume I should ask for part-payment up
front and the rest on completion, but there are probably other things I
should consider too. Any advice?
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Eleanora Eden on mon 14 may 07
Peter King told this story: he made gates for a park entrance and after it
was all done they told him the road was going to be re-surfaced to be something
like 6" higher than it was when he made his piece. It had to be completely
re-engineered at the last minute. Cost him his profit.
Guess this is just in the spirit of asking every possible question and covering
yourself for changes they might make to the parameters midstream.
Eleanora
>I have received my first commission order (two good-sized ceramic
>sculptures for a children's hospital). I have no experience with
>handling commissions ... does anyone have any advice for the business
>aspects of it. For example, I assume I should ask for part-payment up
>front and the rest on completion, but there are probably other things I
>should consider too. Any advice?
>
>_____
--
Bellows Falls Vermont
www.eleanoraeden.com
WJ Seidl on tue 15 may 07
Eleanora:
It's called a "change order". When construction companies and their
subcontractors (like cleaners ) bid on a job, one of the "conditions"
put in is that change orders are allowed. Our change orders (roughly
translated into English)
state that any site condition not evident in the original
request for proposal can be accomodated, but at additional cost to the
owner.
We go on to describe the additional amount that will be charged for
additional engineering, site prep,
labor and materials etc. If they don't agree, they don't sign, and we
don't work. Simple.
In that way, we assure that they get what we want and that they are
happy with the end result,
and we don't get screwed doing everything extra for nothing.
Peter should have known that, he's a smart man. Too many times, though,
as artists, we get lax.
Hey, it's YOUR money. You decide how to protect your interests, because
you know THEY aren't going to.
Friends are friends but business is business
For commissions, I would go for 50% up front, 25% at a specific
completion point (like when made and ready to install)
and the balance (25% plus change orders if any) on completion. Others
use 33/33/34 as the percentages. Oh yeah...
and assign a completion date based on the original specs, with
additional time for change orders spelled out as well.
That reassures the customer that you won't take forever, and lets them
know when you'll be expecting payment.
Best,
Wayne Seidl
Eleanora Eden wrote:
> Peter King told this story: he made gates for a park entrance and after it
> was all done they told him the road was going to be re-surfaced to be something
> like 6" higher than it was when he made his piece. It had to be completely
> re-engineered at the last minute. Cost him his profit.
>
> Guess this is just in the spirit of asking every possible question and covering
> yourself for changes they might make to the parameters midstream.
>
> Eleanora
>
>
>> I have received my first commission order (two good-sized ceramic
>> sculptures for a children's hospital). I have no experience with
>> handling commissions ... does anyone have any advice for the business
>> aspects of it. For example, I assume I should ask for part-payment up
>> front and the rest on completion, but there are probably other things I
>> should consider too. Any advice?
>>
>> _____
>
> --
> Bellows Falls Vermont
> www.eleanoraeden.com
WJ Seidl on tue 15 may 07
My apologies.
That should have read
"In that way we assure that they get what THEY want and that
they are happy with the end result..."
Oops!
Wayne
WJ Seidl wrote:
SNIP
> In that way, we assure that they get what we want and that they are
> happy with the end result,
SNIP
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