Getting started with a Commission

There are a number of things you should think about before contacting any artist or craftsperson about commissioning a piece of work. Doing so will help you to clarify your needs, which may ultimately speed up the commission process and therefore reduce the cost. Having a clear overall picture of your expectations will also help the maker to understand if they can meet your requirements.

If you are thinking of commissioning a piece from McRae then please consider the questions below and then complete the  form below, not forgetting to attach any pictures that could be relevant to your requirements/situation.

Questions to consider

• Do you know what you want?
• Have you seen anything similar to what you want?
• Do you want it made to a certain size? If so, do you have those measurements?
• Do you have any pictures either of where you want a commissioned piece to go, or any pictures of what you would like it to look like?
• Do you have a budget? Have you seen anything that gives you an idea of cost or what you want to spend?
• Do you have a timeframe for which you wish it to be completed by?
• Will you want a rust-free finish e.g. Galvanised?
• Will you make a journey to the McRae workshop to further discuss your requirements/design if needed, including picking up when completed or will you want it delivered and installed and all other communications kept to email/phone? Obviously the more you can do yourself the cheaper and possibly quicker the commission process will be.

More about commissions

As well as making items to sell at galleries and shows/markets up and down the country, Stephen McRae has always worked on commissions for both private and public clients. The main stay of commission work has been for private customers, creating both practical and/or purely sculptural pieces, for the home or garden.

From unique one-off sculptures, gates, screens, handrails, water features, driveway gates, and more, McRae have turned their hammers to all sorts of interesting projects both public and private. From overseas clients in Dubai and Spain anything is possible. For more examples of these pieces McRae has made or been heavily involved in please click on the pictures or visit the McRae facebook page or Youtube channel.

​McRae still offer a commission service and are happy to work with clients' own unique requirements to realise their ideas. It is important to say that commission work is a lot more costly time wise and will therefore reflect in the overall price. For this very reason it is important for clients to understand and identify their requirements early on and realise commissions will not mirror the value of items that are bought in the Shop. 

If you are feeling a commission is more what you are looking for, then please continue reading and fill in the commission enquiry form at the top of this page.