The framing cost that nobody warns you about
I just finished a 50x65cm interior piece for a client in Paris. Painted it over about six weeks, it came out well, one of those where everything clicked. She paid my price without blinking, €1800. Pleased with that part.
Then she asked me to deliver it framed. And I thought yes, fine, I'll take care of it, I know a good framer.
The frame cost €520. The glass alone was nearly €200. I ate that cost because I'd already quoted her a flat price and felt stupid going back. So my real rate for the painting dropped to €1280. And that's before the canvas, the oil, my time.
I'm not sure what the solution is except to state it upfront: "Prix hors encadrement" and mean it. Or add a framing fee that's transparent. But I know myself, I'll forget to say it next time too, because I'm thinking about the painting and not the business of the painting. And then I'll be pissed off again.
Anyone else have this? The hidden costs that feel too small to mention but add up to a real bite.
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I've been there and it's a horrible feeling, that moment when you realise your real hourly rate just collapsed and you can't tell if you're angry at yourself or at the situation.
One thing I started doing, I build framing into my quote from the start, always. Not as a line item, I just have a framed price and an unframed price. If they want it unframed I take off what I know it'll cost, roughly. Gives me room and they don't see a surprise.
But also €520 for a 50x65 frame feels steep even with good glass. I wonder if your framer saw you coming a little. Might be worth finding someone else for the next one, just to have a comparison.
You're right about the framer, I think. He's good, does beautiful work, but I've used him for years and maybe I've been paying a loyalty tax without noticing. I'll ask around.
The framed/unframed thing, that's smart. Simple. I've been resisting itemising because it feels like nickel-and-diming a client, but a flat framed price and a discount for unframed is cleaner. Doesn't make it feel like a surcharge.