Conservation studio for galleries and collectors

Galleries, auction houses, art dealers, local councils, historical societies, corporate collections and serious private collectors.

Priced per item or per project after an assessment, with a written treatment proposal, plus extra for framing, mounting and condition reports.

• Formal training or substantial supervised experience in conservation
• Understanding of ethical conservation practice
• Quoting, contracts and client communication
• Photography and documentation

• Public liability insurance and cover for artworks in your care, check what values an insurer will cover
• Council zoning and lease terms for the unit
• Safe handling, storage and disposal of solvents, check your state's work health and safety rules
• Large clients can be slow to pay and may take months to commission, so plan your cash flow
• Reputation matters, so keep detailed records of every treatment

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on the unit you rent, your equipment and how you set up storage and documentation. These are estimates only and may vary with the value of works you plan to handle.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on the size and value of works and how many clients you win. Large clients can be slow to pay, so plan your cash flow. Expect at least 30 hours a week.

Check public liability insurance and what values an insurer will cover for artworks in your care. Check council zoning and the lease terms for your unit. Check your state's work health and safety rules for handling, storing and disposing of solvents.