< FOUNDRY QUOTATIONS & ESTIMATES
QUOTED PRICES – WHAT’S INCLUDED ?
It’s not always obvious to the first time foundry user, which items are included in the average quotation and which items are likely to incur additional costs. Although a founder’s quotation will often exclude useful services such as pattern transportation, the price tendered should always cover the basic cost of producing and finishing the cast, this includes the application of a patina and the supply of standard foundry fixings (for securing the finished sculpture to a plinth or base etc).
The normal exception to the above would be if the founder is specifically requested to supply a FETTLED ONLY or other part finished cast, in which case a patina, fixings and other items might normally be omitted. The following lists are intended as a basic guide to which items which by ‘common consent’ are usually included and excluded in the price quoted by an art founder. Artist’s are advised to obtain written confirmation from the founder on any points they are unsure of.
ITEMS NORMALLY INCLUDED IN QUOTATIONS
• For a lost wax cast: a reproduction mould formed in rubber or other suitable material is included. Unless specifically agreed otherwise, the reproduction mould usually remains the property of the artist - once fully paid for. Ownership is retained by the artist even if the mould is stored on the artist’s behalf at the founder’s premises (some founders will also store a client’s original master patterns).
• The founder will produce a wax pattern from the completed reproduction mould. The wax should be prepared to a standard of finish that is in keeping with the standard of the artist’s master pattern. Wax patterns will normally be made available for the artist to inspect and approve before progressing to the investment and metal casting stages.
• The supply of a metal cast. This will normally be formed in a standard foundry alloy, or else another alloy specified by the artist and agreed to by the founder.
• Chasing and finishing of the cast to a standard consistent with the artist’s master pattern. ‘Finishing’ normally includes at least a basic patina finish on a prepared cast surface, but may exclude mirror polishing and other special processes. The founder may levy additional charges for revisions made to a previously applied and approved surface finish if the client changes their mind.
• Supply of STANDARD foundry fittings and fixtures suitable for mounting the work. This will normally involve the provision of threaded insets to receive a stud or similar type of fitting.
• Manufacturer’s public liability insurance (varies according to national requirements). Additional insurances may have to be taken out by either the artist and/or the owner, especially where publicly situated or valuable artworks are involved.
ITEMS NOT NORMALLY INCLUDED IN QUOTATIONS
• Construction of cases, packing and the transportation of the master pattern to and from the studio/foundry premises, though some foundries do offer a free or low cost packing/transportation service to their clients.
• Making good or otherwise modifying unsuitable or poorly prepared master patterns. This includes repairs to patterns damaged in transit by a third party, such as an independent carrier.
• The design, supply and fitting of non-standard foundry fixtures and fixings, armatures, sub-structures, pipe works, electrical works, masonry and other such special items (including engineering reports etc).
• Testing of materials and structures, certificates of metal conformity/analysis, welding ‘to procedure’ (CODED WELDING) and the non-destructive testing of welds or construction materials (NDT). None of these items are necessary under normal circumstances and should not be requested by an artist unless specifically asked for by an architect, engineer or other authority.
• The inclusion of exotic or unusual materials in forming any part of the work. This can include special alloys and certain patination compounds, as well as non-standard finishing processes like gilding.
• Modification of the metal cast, contrary to the forms and textures on the artist’s original master pattern.
• The supply and fitting of plinths, bases and other mounting/presentational features that are not an integral part of the casting.
• Packaging, storage, transportation, export, the preparation of formal documentation, planning [zoning] consent and the installation of the finished sculpture. Most founders will provide some basic packaging free of charge, plus either arrange for additional services on their clients behalf, or else supply them with details of recommended contractors. As with the collection of master patterns, some workshops provide a free or at cost delivery service for completed sculptures.
• Special taxes and duties including local/national sales taxes, and foreign import duties. How these taxes are set out in written quotations varies according to national standards and custom. Art founders are generally classed as manufacturers, and may therefore list any retail levy (State Sales Tax, VAT etc) as a separate calculation to the base costing, or simply state “plus GST/VAT/Sales Tax”.
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