PDA

View Full Version : HELP! bid writing/determining cost allocations


beauty4ashes
10-25-2005, 04:55 PM
:confused: hello forum! Man I'm glad I found you! :D no pun intended...
I am trying to help my 77-year-old rather computer illiterate brother-in-law who is in a tizzy. He is a prize-winning sculptor of bronzes, and has suddenly landed two aMAZING commissions. However, they need a formal bid or deliniation of all costs to determine how much to advance him. They want him working ASAP, hoping to have one done by March, to auction off on Jay Leno on behalf of a prominent charity. Depending upon the foundry costs, they will decide if this will be a one-of-a-kind or a small limited edition. Meanwhile, he is reeling from the remarkable sequence of events that led to all this, and can hardly think straight He needs to include design & sculpting fees~ point-up, photography,travel to foundry for approvals, per diem for that travel, mold-making fee, help determining who owns the mold? casting, finishing, patina fees, cost of the base/pedestal, shipping, crating, insurance for sculpure & sculptor... we're not sure we have thought of everything, and need help costing the whole thing out. It seems to me there should be a percentage increase because of the incredible rush they are in, since this piece is very detailed and complicated. With this, he might not be a starving artist for awhile! Is there a resource anyone can point me to, to help us with this? I would really appreciate any help or advice ... I'm sure there are many very savvy sculptors in this forum! :) If I can tap into that wealth of wisdom, it sure would be a blessing! thanks in advance... and BEST TO YOU IN ALL YOU DO :)

grommet
10-28-2005, 06:36 AM
Sounds wonderful, congratulations!
A couple things...
I don't know who commissioned him, but does the fact that this is for charity have any weight?
Also, if he is award winning, he probably has a lot of experience & if you can help him calm down & he can probably figure out much of this himself with your methodical help.
My only other suggestion is to include a percentage of "fudge factor" for unforseen problems.