For artists
How to price art commissions without losing money
Price an art commission by separating your fee from materials, delivery costs, overheads and contingency, then agreeing the scope in writing. This protects the time and expertise behind the work while giving the client a clear, workable quote. Adjust the detail to the commission’s scale, risk and rights.
By Lucy Clarke, Nonesuch Works. Published .
Why it is easy to undercharge
It is easy to underprice, especially when you are moving from smaller personal sales to larger commissioned projects. If you price on materials and a rough guess at the time, you leave out the full cost of running your practice and can deliver beautiful work while barely breaking even.
The thinking, research and planning that go into a commission are often the first things left out of a quote. They are a real part of the work, so count them.
The hours you spend developing concepts, sourcing materials and managing logistics are all part of the work. Price accordingly.
What goes into a commission price
A reliable price covers more than materials and time. It also covers the overheads of running your practice and a contingency margin for the unexpected.
How you weight each part depends on the commission: the type, the scale and the risk involved. What works for a private collector is very different from a public artwork. The hard part is not knowing what to include, but how to weight it for the project in front of you.
Free tool: set your fee and the commission pricing calculator builds the full quote around it, then shows the minimum you need to cover your time.
Different commissions, different approaches
Not every commission works the same way. Private commissions, corporate projects, public artworks and site-specific installations each carry their own expectations around pricing, payment terms and scope. Work out which model suits your project: get it wrong and you can undercharge for complex work, or overcomplicate a simple brief.
Common pricing mistakes
These are the mistakes that most often cost you money on a commission.
- Leaving your overheads out of the price
- Underestimating the time client communication and revisions take
- Forgetting to account for installation, transport and packaging
- Offering unlimited revisions without an extra fee
- Agreeing to a price before you fully understand the scope
- Relying on old production quotes instead of getting fresh ones, when material costs change all the time
- Failing to get the price and scope agreed in writing before you start
When to get help with pricing
Some commissions are simple enough to price on your own. When a project involves large budgets, complex production, multiple stakeholders or unfamiliar territory, it helps to talk it through with someone who has done it before.
If you are dealing with a specific pricing decision, our artist strategy sessions offer a practical way to work through the numbers before committing to a price.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the right price for a commission?
There is no single formula. A good starting point is to account for materials, time, overheads and contingency, but the right price also depends on the type of commission, the client and the context. If you are unsure, talking it through with someone experienced can help you arrive at a figure that feels right and is financially sustainable.
Should I charge per hour or per project?
For most commissions, a project fee gives you more control. An hourly rate can work for smaller jobs, but for anything complex a fixed fee helps you manage scope and protect your margin. The right approach depends on the type of project.
What if a client says my price is too high?
Pushback on price is common and does not always mean your fee is wrong. There are ways to respond that protect your position without losing the opportunity. The key is knowing when to adjust scope and when to walk away.
How much contingency should I include in a commission price?
It depends on the complexity of the project. Smaller commissions may need less, while large-scale installations or public artworks typically require more. Building in the right amount of contingency is one of the most important parts of pricing well.
Should I put a commission quote in writing?
Yes. A written quote should identify the scope, fee, expenses, payment stages, revision limits and any assumptions. It gives both parties a shared basis for approving changes before extra work or costs are incurred.
Got a fee, a contract or an offer to think through?
A strategy session is 90 minutes on your specific situation, ending in practical next steps you can act on.