< INSTALLING SCULPTURE
INFORMATION SUMMARY
FOUNDRIES
• Do some research to find the most appropriate foundry and casting process for your needs, this can vary from job to job. Talk to various founders about the services they offer to their artists and get other artist's recommendations on good foundries.
• When deciding which foundry to use, allow for the time and expense of transporting work to and from the studio and the factor in any need to visit the foundry on occasion to arrange administrative details, or view the work in progress.
• Prepare comprehensive but relevant details on your sculpture project when asking for foundry quotations. Do not expect accurate or binding quotations to be forthcoming from casual telephone enquiries about work the founder has not yet seen. If helpful, obtain comparative quotations from more than one foundry.
• Budget prices and estimates are not firm quotations. These rough costings also sometimes exclude sales taxes. Guide prices offered by founders should not be considered binding, unless later confirmed in writing. Get a firm quotation as early as practically possible. If unsure as to what is or is not included in a price, request further details. Prices offered by founders may hold good for a limited period of time only, especially during periods of rising commodity prices.
TRANSPORT & INSTALLATION
• Do not neglect TRANSPORT, PACKING and INSTALLATION expenses when calculating commission costs and setting project budgets. These items can be expensive, and are not normally included in a founder’s quotation unless specifically requested.
• Specialist fine art and antique transport companies are generally more costly to employ than general purpose commercial transport companies, but as specialists they do usually offer a consistently high level of care and service.
• Packers will usually require an accurate dimensional description of the work’s height, width and length to construct and supply a regular crate. A weight estimate may also be required, especially if the work is to be dispatched via air freight. Always give accurate information as an oversize or overweight consignment is likely to be surcharged.
• When exporting works abroad, employ a competent and reliable SHIPPING AGENT. All works for EXPORT should be fully documented and preferably insured (even when carried by hand). Deliberately misleading customs officials in order to avoid duty payments can lead to severe penalties being imposed.
• The installation of a cast artwork can be a very expensive undertaking; it may also demand considerable logistical organisation in advance of on-site delivery and personnel attendance. Where possible, anticipate installation needs well in advance of scheduled delivery dates.
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