We are often asked for a "Ballpark Estimate" without seeing the artwork. Art conservation can be a complex endeavor...like the field of medicine for example. Without examining the patient, a physician can not accurately make a diagnosis, recommend treatments, or estimate costs to cure a disease. Doctors, dentists, software engineers, car mechanics, etc., all sell their most valuable resources: time and experience. Art conservators may charge $100 per hour or perhaps three times that in major metropolitan areas. Restorers, picture framers, artists, and others with significantly less training and experience may work for much lower rates but with unexpected results ranging from satisfactory to incredibly distressing.
We schedule appointments to examine your artwork(s) at a minimum of $150 for one item (painting and frame) and up to $500 or more for comprehensive reports. There are many factors to consider: the extensiveness of the report, testing, photo-documentation, research, telecoms, administration, travel, etc. An evaluation at our studio/lab may require an hour of your time but much more for us after you leave as we continue our testing and documentation.
We have a $500 minimum charge for conservation treatments of paintings or objects. We are unable to accept small projects at this time.
A typical evaluation may include the following:
A typical evaluation may include the following:
· Carefully remove the painting from its frame
· Perform solubility and other testing of surface dirt, varnish layers, pigments, binding materials, etc.
· Assess physical conditions; structural problems relating to tears, paint losses, flaking, stretcher bars, etc.
· Determine if it has been previously “restored” and how much that will affect the treatments.
· Generate a Treatment Proposal, discuss treatment options, and create the Estimate.
· Discuss the Conditions for Conservation.
· Plan a timetable for completion of the project. We are presently on a 2 to 6-month time frame.
· Discuss your expectations and possible outcomes.
· Discuss limitations and risks.
Sometimes we send the client off to lunch in beautiful Santa Cruz to give us more focused time to perform the evaluation. Sometimes paintings are left at the studio/lab for a more comprehensive examination if the project seems complex, difficult, requires research, is extremely valuable, is of significant cultural or art historic value, or if it is a large artwork.
If any of the following reasons apply, you definitely want to make an appointment:
· Your artwork is a family heirloom.
· You love your art no matter what its value.
· It is in poor condition but you think it can be improved in the proper hands.
· It is irreplaceable and has great sentimental value to you and your family.
· It has significant artistic, historic, religious, or cultural value.
· It has moderate or exceptional monetary value.
· You want to develop a relationship with an art conservator as a consultant.
· You plan to store or transport your art safely.
· You are concerned with the long-term preservation of your art collection.
· You intend upon acquiring more art for your collection and need some guidelines.
· You have created a realistic conservation budget and are now ready for us to help.
It works better for all parties concerned to schedule an actual appointment rather than rely on "when we are in the area."
So what about the Ballpark Estimate? Art conservation is a laborious endeavor and certainly not inexpensive. The cost of an art conservation treatment will be about as much as having your auto repaired or going to the dentist.
The first step is to talk on the phone and/or send an email with a photo. Please identify the artist if known, send photos of the front, back, signature, and any damage if possible, and send them to our email address and not the landline.
Please call us between 10:00 am to 7:00 pm 7 days a week. Everyone gets a free 15-minute consultation to discuss options. Even if you choose to do nothing to your artwork, you will undoubtedly learn a great deal and will enjoy the experience. If for any reason we decline to take on the project, there is no cost for our time.
You can find our main website at:
mobiusart.com
You can find our main website at:
mobiusart.com
Chris J. Kenney
Conservator
831. 464. 1418
Revised on June, 2023
