Artist bill is nearly twice what I was quoted!

[krustykittens]

Hi all, I have commissioned stuff from an artist in the past whose work I really like. I tell her what I am after, she quotes me a price, sometimes the bill is £5 or £10 higher because of materials but no problem. I commissioned something from her for my daughter's birthday (my daughter knows she is getting it). She quoted me a price and has just come back to me today. The work is done, she bit a bit more work into it than we agreed, the final price is now nearly DOUBLE the quote! I don't want to offend her, I would like to be able to commission from her again, but I do feel really a bit pissed off that the price has increased so much! I was going to offer to pay the difference in another month as I have the original price set aside but no more. But the truth is, I don't want to pay nearly double the quote and feel she shouldn't have put work in that wasn't agreed - or have come back to me if she felt the original quote wasn't going to be enough BEFORE she did the work. What would you guys say? I was thinking of some thing like, "The work is stunning, as usual, but a lot more than I had budgeted for, based on the quote. Can we come to some arrangement?" and leave the ball in her court?

[Barrenfieldoffucks]

I would probably say something like "ouch! It's beauty, but we originally discussed xzy amount and this is nearly double... what happened?"

[Barrenfieldoffucks]

Sorry, it's beautiful not it's beauty 🤦

[Aquamarine1029]

A lesson learned. ALWAYS get quotes in writing. Was this a verbal agreement?

[Redglitter]

You definitely need to challenge her about it. Doubling the cost is outrageous. Pay it this time and you can bet she'll do the same again.

[TheInvestigator]

If she gave you what she called a quote then she needs to stick to that price. It's a binding agreement.

If she gave you an estimate then she can change the price.

If she wants to alter a quote then that needs to be discussed and agreed before she does the extra work. At the moment, she needs to provide what you commissioned at the price she quoted.

[Worried2019]

[Justkeeprollingalong]

You are not obliged to purchase the piece at double the agreed price.
I would just tell her she shouldn't have gone so far over budget without checking with you and you can't afford it. Her problem.

[OnlyFoolsnMothers]

Dont offer to come to an agreement yet, first and foremost find out why the huge difference from the original quote?

[krustykittens]

She told me what happened - she did a lot of embroidery work on it, which was time consuming and wants to be paid for it! I understand, but she knew the price she had agreed with me, so I feel like asking why she didn't stay within the parameters of the price SHE quoted? But I worry that will come across as too aggressive via email. It really is lovely but a lot more than I budgeted for, plus I will have a dissapointed daughter. FFS, this is so annoying! I am self-employed myself and would never do more work than quoted and expect to be paid!

[WhoKnewBeefStew]

I’d go back, compliment her on the work, but state that it’s double the quote and ask why?

[DontWannaBeObamasElf]

Had you asked her to do the embroidery?

[krustykittens]

I did get a quote in writing - I told her via email what my daughter wanted and asked her how much it would cost, she gave me a price and I agreed to it. I have in the past paid a bit more for materials but double the amount took my breath away a bit.

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

I'd go back with something lovely; but point out that you thought you'd be consulted if the price increased by more than 10% and see if something can be negotiated.

[nutellalove]

That's not on. If she quoted a price that's what you should be paying. Unless she said something like '+ costs of materials'

[keepingbees]

I would say something like "It's lovely, but I am surprised that it is double the price you quoted. I can only afford to pay the price that we agreed. Please advise accordingly."
What's the point of giving a quote if it's nowhere near the final fee

[BlueMerchant]

Sounds like she's pushing to see what she can get. She obviously knows you like her work and she is familiar with you so she probably sees you as a bit if a soft touch she can squeeze more out of.

[krustykittens]

Don'tWannaBeObamasElf I didn't ask for embroidery, I think she thought it would look good (it does) and got a bit carried away. I feel terrible because she has two young daughters and supplements her income with her art but I have bills to pay too! This was a gift for my daughter.

[LadiesFinishFights]

Is it something she can sell on to someone else?

[TheInvestigator]

You don't need to buy it. Just reply that you would like the purchased the piece you commissioned at the price quoted and you won't pay extra. Also inform her that a quote is binding if it is presented and then agreed upon.

[FizzyGreenWater]

No way. You have a quote in writing ffs, she is just being either very cheeky or totally daft.

'I am really sorry but I can't pay for this. You quoted X and that's what I've budgeted - I would be ok with a little over as I know it's hard to be exact but I can't afford double, it just isn't an option for me. Do you have any suggestions? The absolute maximum I would be able to pay is X. If you aren't able to accept that, I totally understand and I guess we will have to cancel it.'

[krustykittens]

LadiesFinishFights she probably could, it might take her a while. Tbh, I am getting more annoyed by the minute and am now more concerned with upsetting my daughter!

[NorthEndGal]

I am an artist, and do a lot of work on commission. I have the responsibility to be clear about what is included in the price, and if changes are being considered, to update the pricing as well, making sure we are both clear before I begin.
Couldn't imagine asking someone to double the cost without checking first!
So unprofessional

[Squigglesworth]

That's not very professional behavior on her part. She can't honestly expect you to pay double the quoted price. As others have said, what's the point of giving a quote if she doesn't stick to it?!

She should eat any lost time on this project and learn for next time that you don't put 20 hours into a 10-hour project unless you first check with the client or are willing to do it just for the love of the art.

I definitely wouldn't pay double. She shouldn't even have asked!

[Shodan]

If you didn't ask for embroidery then that's on her tbh. I sometimes make commissioned pieces of jewellery- I wouldn't go adding gemstones (for example) without clearing it with a client first. If I did, because I thought it 'looked pretty', I'd be doing it at no extra cost, solely for my own creative benefit.

Go back to her, say that it's beautiful and you love all her work, but you cannot pay nearly double the quote. She can offer compromises herself or lose the sale.

[Thehop]

“Oh gosh it’s beautiful, as always with your work, but I really need to stick to the budget we agreed. I can’t afford this piece I’m afraid.”

Or “oh wow, stunning as always. Unfortunately I need to stick to the budget we agreed so will have to let someone else have this and go with my original order please”