Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to bring my artwork to you or will you work on site?
We recommend, if possible, that a client transport their artwork to our facility for examination. This is important because we have all of the necessary equipment, supplies, materials, and specialized lighting to conduct a thorough examination. If the artwork is too large, is attached to wall, or is more easily treated in-situ, we will be glad to come to you to do the work. We regularly travel nation-wide to provide conservation assessment, treatment, emergency response, or other related services. We frequently work on-site on larger projects. We can easily assemble a diverse team of conservators, professionals, technicians or artisans to meet your project’s needs. There is no charge for most local cursory on-site assessments, or for those at our conservation facility. There will be a charge for written reports, lengthy assessments, and for reimbursement of long-distance travel costs.
Can you safely store our artwork or collections?
Our facility is climate controlled, secure and is actively monitored for fire and security. We can store artwork, and collections on-site, or at a nearby fully insured, climate controlled, secure facility. Fees are assessed monthly based on square footage of storage required.
How long does treatment take to complete?
Treat length depends on work already in progress, or whether there are other projects ahead of yours. Generally, work will be completed within 1 to 4 months. Scheduling and a more precise length of treatment time will be discussed with our clients in advance of signing a contract for conservation services. If emergencies arise, or your treatment is more difficult/time consuming than anticipated, our clients will be notified of the need for a possible schedule extension. We will try our best to meet our original time commitments.
What kind of records do I get as part of my treatment?
As part of any standard treatment, you should expect to receive a written Condition Report for your artifact, including; what it’s made of, how it’s put together, information about inscriptions, whether it’s been worked on before, or what its condition is currently. You should also receive a written Treatment Proposal. Treatment won’t begin until you have signed off on the Treatment Proposal authorizing treatment as outlined, and we have received the requested monetary deposit. Treatment of your artifact will be documented with Digital Photography before, during and after treatment. At the conclusion of treatment, you will receive a detailed report on all steps of the treatment process including all solvents, adhesives and materials used. Any additional information about the artwork, or inscriptions discovered will be included in the final report. You are always welcome to call about the status of your artwork, or you can review treatment in progress at our facility with an appointment.
Cost, Pricing, Payment, & Insurance
Do you accept credit cards or do you have payment plans?
At this point in time we do not accept credit cards, but will gladly work out a payment schedule for work if needed. Artwork will be returned following completion of payment unless other arrangements have been worked out between us in advance of treatment.
Do I have to worry about the cost of conservation increasing during treatment?
Your cost for conservation is a fixed fee. Only on rare occasions will we call to discuss the need for a cost increase in your treatment. This would only occur if it is determined that treatment for the artwork drastically needs to be altered based on unexpected, not previously determinable information, or you want us to do additional work. In this rare occasion, the client would be called to discuss the situation, and the need for more time, or alteration of the treatment approach. In this case the cost of services will be adjusted to reflect this change.
How much do your services cost?
Conservation costs are based on standard rates within the profession, and hours of work required to satisfactorily and safely complete the outlined work noted in our written treatment proposal. We will give you a fixed cost for treatment. It is generally requested that clients make a deposit of 50% of the treatment cost prior to the commencement of services. The balance of cost is due upon completion of work.
Can you appraise my artwork?
Conservators do not appraise artwork. It is considered an ethical conflict for us to do this by our national organization (American Institute for Conservation), and we are not trained, or licensed to do this work. We will gladly refer you to a number of qualified licensed appraisers to help you determine the monetary value, or to authenticate your artwork.
Will our artwork be insured?
Artwork can be insured under our Fine Arts Insurance Policy for a minimal cost based on its current appraised value, or it can be insured under your existing business or home owner’s policy at our facility.
Can you give a price for conservation over the phone?
Talking over the telephone is a good start, but in order for us to really analyze your artwork we need to see it in person. During an initial call we can gather information about the problem, try to understand the type or artifact, it’s age and connection to the owner, and it’s size and what it’s made of. If you can take a photo showing the overall piece and a detail or two of the problems, you could email it to us at hartmannconservation@yahoo.com. We can then call you back and have a more informed discussion. It would be ultimately better if you can either bring it to our facility in Carlisle, PA or we can come to you for a more in-depth review.
Where and through whom should I insure my artwork?
Your valuable and important art collections, furniture, or objects are not covered through a homeowner’s policy in the same way your normal household contents are. Just like your valuable jewelry, these artifacts require a certified professional art appraiser, dedicated insurance policy, or added rider to your existing policy to write a current appraisal. Specifically, these policies must detail exactly what is insured, and for how much. Bringing in professional appraisers to evaluate your collection can be costly, but is beneficial should something catastrophic happen to your art collections (i.e., fire, theft, or flood damage). Official written appraisals should be sent to your insurance company where they will pass on to their underwriters to evaluate the cost of insurance for each individual piece or collection you wish to have insured. Insurance companies generally will not pay out a claim for damaged, destroyed, or stolen artifacts unless they are insured with their own policy or insurance rider. If a fire destroys your kitchen, the insurance company easily can find out what a similar replacement kitchen would cost, unlike the loss of your Monet painting that isn’t a known factor unless it’s been appraised. Anything other than an official appraisal based on a current market value will not be accepted for reimbursement by your insurance company. If you can’t afford to get appraisals for your collections, document them with digital photographic images that can be stored offsite on applications like Dropbox, Cloud, Google Images, or on a thumb-drive kept in a separate location. This will at least convince your insurance company you are the owner of the piece(s).