Art inevitably lives a life after it leaves your studio. Sometimes, that life includes accidents—a bumped corner, a scratched surface, or a fragile sculpture gone awry in a collector’s home. When the artwork comes back for repair, a key business question arises: who handles the repair, and should the gallery take a commission on the repair cost?
As a gallery owner, I’ve faced this scenario many times. Here’s my approach, and some best practices for handling repair requests fairly and professionally.
Who Should Handle the Repair?
First, think of the repair as a customer-service opportunity. The goal is to make it easy for the collector to restore their cherished artwork—and to reinforce positive feelings about both the artist and the gallery.
In practice, repairs can be handled in three ways:
- Direct Artist-Collector Arrangement: Sometimes, the gallery connects the collector directly with the artist. This works well when the artist lives nearby or if the repair is very technical and needs a detailed consult.
- Gallery as Intermediary: More commonly, the gallery acts as a bridge, handling logistics (shipping, communication, payment) while the artist performs the repair. This helps maintain the gallery-collector relationship.
- Gallery Handles Everything: Rarely, a gallery may have an in-house restorer or recommended third-party conservators for certain repairs (more common with higher-value pieces).
Should the Gallery Take a Commission?
My strong belief: galleries should not take a commission or markup on repair costs. Here's why:
- Customer Service Trumps Profit: The repair is about maintaining good collector relationships, not an additional revenue stream.
- Transparency and Trust: Passing through the artist’s stated repair fee without a markup builds trust on both sides.
- Goodwill for Future Sales: Going above and beyond—even occasionally absorbing minor costs—often leads to return purchases and enthusiastic referrals.
That said, there are nuances:
- If the gallery incurs significant out-of-pocket costs (e.g., complex shipping logistics, insurance, or packaging), it’s reasonable to pass those along. However, it’s best to quote these transparently upfront—never as a “commission.”
- In some cases, a reasonable handling fee might be justified for extensive logistics, but it should always be disclosed and kept as minimal as possible.
How Should Artists Price Repairs?
When quoting a repair:
- Honestly assess material and time costs. Don’t under-value your time, but don’t use the opportunity to gouge the client—this isn’t the moment for broad profit margins.
- Consider the stage of the artwork’s “life cycle.” For recent sales or minor fixes, some artists will even offer complimentary repairs as a gesture of goodwill (budget for this possibility).
- Avoid setting the price so low that the collector questions the work’s original value.
Turning Repairs into Opportunities
Handled well, repairs create stories collectors remember—about your responsiveness, professionalism, and commitment.
A few practical tips:
- Respond promptly and empathetically when a repair request comes in.
- Keep the collector updated on the process and timeline.
- If circumstances allow, include a thank you note or small extra gesture—these go a long way toward deepening loyalty.
Bottom Line
Repairs are an inevitable part of an artist’s and gallery’s business, but they’re an opportunity to build (or reinforce) lasting relationships. In nearly all sales, I advise galleries to forgo a commission on repair work. The goodwill generated almost always outweighs any small margin missed—and the next sale is often just around the corner.
Takeaway: Treat every post-sale problem as a chance to prove your professionalism and care—for the artwork and the collector.
Reader Question:
How have you (or your gallery) handled artwork repairs and costs in the past? What approaches have worked well—or badly—for you?
