Payment is in full in advance. The payment should
accompany the Appraisal Request Form.
Mike is an appraiser with "Art and Antiques"
magazine. His appraisals will be very accurate and well executed.
Art Restoration
Not much can definitely be stated in regard to the pricing
of art restoration because the work done is so variable. However, a few guidelines
can be stated with authority:
A pricing estimate is most accurate when Mike sees the item; a pricing estimate from a
photograph is based on an educated guess.
A 50% retainer fee is required for Art Restoration
work.
A client who sends an object to Mike for whatever
reason is responsible for all shipping, handling, and insurance costs both
to and from Mike's office. Mike will guarantee that the object is carefully
and safely packed when it is returned to its owner.
Mike will do various levels of restoration.
For example, he can restore an
object to the degree where it can be enjoyed by the family. Or he can restore the
same object to museum quality if that is what the owner wants. Obviously the
difference in price of the two types of restoration could be significant.
The quality of work will be the same for each item and
is not dependent on the
value of the piece. Mike uses the same outstanding expertise on any item within
the limits determined by its owner.
Travel charges apply when Mike travels to your location to appraise an item.
Appraisal fees also apply when he is examining an article for restoration.
Mike's prices are comparable, if not less, than other restoration facilities.
Art galleries that maintain expensive, storefront properties are forced to
charge more because of high overhead. Also, it is not unlikely that these
gallery owners will subcontract their restoration work to a person who practices
in the field full-time, such as Mike. Again this results in higher overhead
costs for galleries.
Framing prices are very competitive. Mike can
provide higher quality work than "fast frame" stores for the same price. In
addition, you be able to use his expertise and generally have a bigger
selection of frames and matting from which to choose.
All things considered, Mike can provide a higher quality of
work than his competition, and his prices could be considerably lower. A
"doubting Thomas" can prove this to himself by
getting several appraisals on the same piece of work.
But why endure the extra effort? Contact Mike directly and let him proceed with your
project.