Here, I will give you an idea of what you can expect if you decide you want to commission me to build you a customized model of your own. Please read this section carefully.
Commissions
Current status: Model kit repaints and lightly customized model kit commissions will open again March 1, 2010. Complex/scratchbuilding commissions will open again March 1, 2010 on a very limited basis. I will accept commission requests throughout March and will be requesting deposits after March 31 so work can begin in April. Please send all inquiries/price quote requests to ssi.kuvulcan at gmail dot com.
For Sale (Pre-Built models)
From time to time, I will have custom models I have already built for sale listed here, along with their price. Please send all questions or offers to ssi.kuvulcan at gmail dot com. SERIOUS inquiries only please.
None presently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of model assembly/kit modification commissions do you accept?
I accept commissions for construction, painting and/ or modification of Zoids, Gundam and other mecha kits. I will also build, paint and modify resin mecha kits. I usually paint models with either Tamiya, Createx, Gunze, miscellaneous spray paints or some combination thereof. I also take commissions for the assembly and/or painting of Kotobukiya's High End Master Model (HMM) Zoids model kits. If you are interested in resin figure (humanoid/anything that is NOT mecha) commissions, please see my commissions page over in the Figures section.
How do I commission you?
To inquire about commissioning me, you may contact me at my business email address, which is ssi.kuvulcan at gmail dot com. Please put "Commission inquiry"/"commission price quote"/ something to that effect for the subject. I can give you a more accurate price estimate if you can give me as much info as you can about your project. When you accept my price quote, I will begin work after I have received a 50% deposit of the estimated price. When the model is completed, you may then pay the remaining balance as well as the shipping fees.
The price breakdown for all commissions is as follows- price of model and supplies + labor charge + shipping of the final product. You will receive a list of supplies when I send you the estimate. If the client already has the model/parts needed for the project, there is no charge for the model, but they are still responsible for covering all shipping charges. The labor charge for resin or plastic model building/painting/modification of all levels is based on the complexity of the model. Please remember that the price I give you pre- completion of the model is an ESTIMATE, and may be adjusted slightly up or down.
How soon can I expect my model to be done?
Because I often work on several kits at a time, it can take up to 4 months for a complex model to be completed. Turnaround time on simple repaints is generally 2-4 weeks. I will work on reasonable deadlines if the client desires. Projects with "rush" deadline will generally cost more, but will have priority over other commissions. The only time I cannot work on a rush deadline is from January- March.
How can I pay you/ what is the payment process?
I prefer to be paid via Paypal, in US currency. If you absolutely cannot pay via Paypal, I can make arrangements with you if you can only pay with a money order. When you have accepted my pricing estimate, I will begin work after I have received a 50% deposit for the model's estimated price. If you change your mind before I have started working but have already sent the deposit, it will be fully refunded. However, if AFTER the model has been completed you fail to pay the final balance on the commission or completely drop communication for more than 2 weeks after I've requested the final payment, you will not be refunded any portion from your deposit nor will you receive the model. I reserve the right to sell the model to cut my losses if the commissioner fails to pay the remaining balance.
When the figure is complete, I will calculate the shipping cost for it. By default, I will use the US Postal Service to ship all orders. If you would like the figure to be sent via a different carrier (UPS, FedEx, etc.), please let me know. The buyer has the option of purchasing insurance for the package as well. This is highly recommended for all commissions, especially for large and/or expensive commissions, and the insurance provided by the USPS is very inexpensive to purchase. Please be aware (And this is noted below too) that if you do NOT get insurance for your figure, you will NOT be entitled to a partial refund or free repairs. Once I have received my final payment along with payment for shipping, I will pack up the model and mail it out. Depending on how the figure is constructed, it may come partially disassembled. If this is the case, I will either email you or include a hard copy of instructions on how to put the model back together. I will ship worldwide.
What if I get my model and it's damaged?
My new policy regarding models arriving broken in the mail is that if you did NOT get insurance for the package (Only $2-$5 additional in most cases), I will not be offering a partial refund or free repairs. If you DID get insurance and the model arrives broken, I will either ask you to return the model to me for repairs or I may offer a partial refund (This will be determined by me, based on the severity of the breakage). The only fees the buyer is expected to pay when a model is returned for repairs is the shipping, the actual repairs are free.
I have the model/parts you said you needed for my project. May I send it for you to use in my project to save some money on the supply charge?
Yes, you may.
I want to get a commission or buy a pre- built custom model from you, but I don't have all the cash for it right now. Can you hold the model/ hold a commission spot open for me?
I only hold pre-built models if you send me a deposit for half the model's cost. After I have received the deposit, I will hold the model for you for up to ONE (1) month after receipt of deposit. If you fail to pay the remaining balance within one month from the date that I received your deposit, you will only receive half of your deposit back. I do NOT hold spots open for commissions at all. I think it's unfair for someone who hasn't paid/cannot pay right away to take up a commission spot, which would prevent someone who CAN pay in a timely manner from getting a model from me. And because no one likes to be ripped off, I have a "one- strike" policy when it comes non- paying customers. If you ask for a commission and fail to pay the full amount once the model has been completed, please don't expect me to take any commission requests from you in the future.
Misc. info
- I reserve the right to refuse any commission or sale of a model, no questions asked. If the client becomes overly difficult to deal with, I also reserve the right to cancel the project and refund the client's payment. If a significant amount of work has been done to the commission before the cancellation, the amount refunded will be minus whatever payment necessary to cover the time and effort I put into the commission thus far.
- If there are any questions at all about the status of your commission, please don't hesitate to contact me. I do my best to reply promptly, and if I have any questions about the project, prompt replies on the customer's part definitely helps me get commissions done faster.
- Serious inquiries only please.
-Unless it says in the item's description that I'm open to haggling on a price or will entertain offers, please assume that the prices listed for pre- built models are FIRM.
- The client may request changes to the commission as it is being worked on. What kind of changes, you ask? Things like adding articulation/poseability (This has to be done early on and should be one of the first things you tell me if you want it, as a lot of the model's design will have to revolve around the model's ability to be reposed), or perhaps a change in the appearance of the model's armor (Ie. "I'd like the armor to look more angular/rounded" or "I'd like for the model to have an extra piece of armor here"). Reasonable changes, is what I am trying to say. In other words, if you commission me to build some sort of Liger-type Zoid, you cannot change your mind a good ways into the build and decide you want some sort of T-Rex Zoid. On the topic of changes, please do not be shy about asking for them! If something doesn't look the way you want it to, you'll have to let me know. Sadly, I cannot read minds and I would like for you to be happy with the model you are getting!
- Prompt payment is greatly appreciated. I do NOT start buying supplies or begin work on your project until I have at least a deposit for half of the quoted price.
Current Commission Queue
None.