Art restoration studio for galleries and dealers

Galleries, auction houses, art dealers, interior designers, insurance claim handlers and serious private collectors.

Quotes per item or project, with fees for assessment, written condition reports and documentation. Repeat trade clients provide steadier work than one-off private jobs.

• Formal conservation training or a long apprenticeship
• Documentation and condition reporting
• Building relationships with trade clients
• Managing a workshop and scheduling long projects

• Insurance that covers client art in your care, plus general liability, and ask about fine art coverage options
• Check city or county business license, zoning and fire code rules for solvents and finishing materials
• Check OSHA-type safety rules for chemical handling and storage, especially if you hire help
• Valuable works carry high risk, use written agreements, condition reports and clear limits on liability
• Lease costs are fixed while work arrives unevenly, so keep enough cash to cover slow months

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on rent, deposits, equipment and insurance. This is an estimate, so check local lease prices before you plan.

Monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $16,000, depending on your client mix and the size of projects. It is an estimate, and fixed lease costs mean slow months need a cash cushion.

Check insurance covering client art plus general liability, and ask about fine art coverage. Also check your city or county business license, zoning and fire code rules for solvents, and OSHA-type chemical safety rules if you hire.