- How much does an art advisor charge in South Africa?
- Art advisory fees in South Africa vary by engagement. Acquisition and procurement commissions are typically a fixed percentage of the final transaction value, agreed in writing before sourcing begins. Ongoing advisory mandates are charged on a monthly retainer or per-project basis, and formal written valuations for insurance or estate purposes carry a flat fee. At The Blue Chip Room every fee is disclosed up front — there are no hidden costs, and third-party charges such as shipping and insurance are passed through at cost.
- What commission does an art procurement consultant take?
- A procurement consultant's commission is a percentage of the price you pay for the artwork, payable only once a vetted, documented acquisition closes. The exact rate reflects the value of the work, its rarity and the complexity of sourcing it off-market. Because we only earn on completion, there is no incentive to push you toward a quick or overpriced purchase — our interest is aligned with finding the right work at the right price.
- Do you charge to search for a work even if I don't buy?
- No. Sourcing, provenance checks and price benchmarking are part of the mandate and are not billed separately — the acquisition commission is payable only on a completed purchase. The exception is a formal written valuation or appraisal, which is a discrete service billed as a flat fee regardless of whether the work is later sold.
- Are your fees the same for buyers and sellers?
- They are structured differently but on the same transparent principle. Buyers pay an acquisition commission on the purchase price; sellers pay a divestment commission on the net sale price. Both are percentages agreed before any work begins, and both are earned only on a completed transaction. Retainer clients building a collection over time often pay a reduced transaction commission.
- How do art consulting fees compare to auction house commissions?
- South African auction houses typically charge a seller's commission of around 10–15% plus VAT, and a buyer's premium on top of the hammer price. A private advisory route can be more cost-effective on strong works because it avoids a public failed-lot record, preserves discretion and frequently achieves a better net result. We will always advise honestly on whether private placement or auction is the better route for a given work.
- Is there a conflict of interest if you value and sell the same work?
- We avoid it by separating the services. A formal written valuation — for insurance, estate or tax — is carried out as an independent appraisal billed at a flat fee, and we do not act as seller on a work we have valued in that capacity. If you later ask us to place the same work privately, we re-baseline the valuation against current market data and disclose the change in role.
- How are international shipping and insurance costs handled?
- All third-party costs — specialist art shipping, transit insurance, framing and conservation — are quoted before you commit and passed through at cost with no markup. For local delivery within South Africa shipping is complimentary; international shipping may incur additional charges that we detail in writing before any cross-border movement.
- Do you offer reduced fees for larger or repeat acquisitions?
- Yes. Retainer clients and collectors making repeat acquisitions typically qualify for a reduced transaction commission, and very high-value or multi-work mandates can be structured on a project basis rather than a per-work percentage. Every arrangement is confirmed in writing so you know the full cost before we begin.
