QUOTED PRICES – WHAT’S INCLUDED ?

The following is a basic guide as to which items are normally included in foundry quotes, and which are not. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and details may vary between foundries. Sculptors and designers are strongly advised to confirm details with their founder if in any doubt.

ITEMS NORMALLY INCLUDED IN QUOTATIONS

• For a lost wax cast: a REPRODUCTION MOULD constructed in rubber or another suitable material is included. Unless agreed otherwise, once fully paid for the finished reproduction mould remains the property of the artist. Ownership is retained by the artist even if the mould is stored on the sculptor’s behalf at the foundery premises (some founders will also store their client master patterns).

• The founder will normally produce a WAX PATTERN(s) from the completed reproduction mould. The wax should be prepared to a standard that is in keeping with the standard of the sculptor’s original work (the master pattern). Wax patterns will normally be made available for the artist to inspect and approve before progressing to the refractory moulding and metal casting stages.

• The supply of a metal cast. This will normally be formed in a standard foundry ALLOY, or else an alloy specified by the sculptor and agreed to by the founder.

• CHASING and FINISHING of the cast to a standard consistent with the sculptor’s master pattern. ‘Finishing’ normally includes at least a basic PATINA finish, but may exclude mirror polishing and other special processes, you should make your finishing requirements clear to the founder when soliciting a quote. The founder may levy additional charges if a work is finished and their client later changes their mind (ie decides upon a different patina).

• 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. Again, make any special requirements know to the founder early on (see below).

• Manufacturers' 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 sculptures are involved.

ITEMS NOT NORMALLY INCLUDED IN STANDARD QUOTATIONS

• Construction of any 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 (models for casting). 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 and 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 sculptor unless specifically asked for by a project 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 such as GILDING.

• Modification of the metal cast, contrary to the forms and textures on the artist’s original master pattern (studio model).

• The supply, construction or 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, obtaining 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 founders and fabricators 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 provide any 'retail' taxation (State Sales Tax, VAT etc) as a separate calculation to the base costing, or simply state “plus/ex GST/VAT/Sales Tax”.

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