#AI in cost estimating

[asestimationsconsultants]

How a Construction Cost Estimating Service Helps in Risk Management

Risk management is a fundamental aspect of any construction project, as unforeseen challenges can lead to cost overruns, delays, and financial losses. One of the most effective ways to mitigate these risks is through a reliable construction cost estimating service. Accurate cost estimation allows contractors, project managers, and stakeholders to anticipate potential risks, allocate resources wisely, and ensure the financial stability of a project. This article explores how construction cost estimating services contribute to effective risk management and enhance project success.

Understanding Risk in Construction Projects

Construction projects involve multiple uncertainties, from fluctuating material costs to unexpected site conditions. Some of the common risks include:

Financial Risks: Cost overruns due to inaccurate estimates, inflation, or unexpected expenses.

Project Delays: Scheduling issues arising from unforeseen circumstances such as labor shortages or material delivery delays.

Legal and Compliance Risks: Issues related to permits, regulations, and contractual obligations.

Design Changes: Modifications made during the project lifecycle that impact costs and timelines.

Safety and Environmental Risks: Accidents, weather conditions, and environmental regulations affecting project execution.

A well-structured construction cost estimating service helps in identifying, assessing, and mitigating these risks before they escalate into costly problems.

Key Ways Construction Cost Estimating Services Help in Risk Management

1. Enhancing Budget Accuracy

Accurate cost estimates form the foundation of financial planning in construction projects. A reliable estimating service considers material costs, labor expenses, equipment needs, and contingency funds, ensuring that the project budget is realistic. By reducing budget uncertainties, contractors can avoid unexpected financial strain and ensure smoother project execution.

2. Identifying Potential Cost Overruns

A detailed cost estimate highlights potential cost overruns before the project begins. By analyzing past project data and industry trends, an estimating service can pinpoint areas where costs are likely to exceed initial expectations. This proactive approach allows project managers to allocate contingency funds appropriately and prevent financial shortfalls.

3. Facilitating Better Resource Allocation

Efficient resource allocation is crucial for minimizing risks in construction projects. A comprehensive cost estimate helps contractors determine the right amount of materials, labor, and equipment required for each phase of construction. This prevents shortages, reduces waste, and ensures that resources are used optimally.

4. Minimizing Schedule Delays

Delays in construction projects often lead to increased costs and client dissatisfaction. A precise cost estimate incorporates realistic timelines and accounts for potential disruptions such as weather delays, labor shortages, or supply chain issues. This foresight allows project managers to implement contingency plans and minimize schedule disruptions.

5. Supporting Contract Negotiations

A construction cost estimating service provides valuable data that strengthens contract negotiations with suppliers, subcontractors, and clients. By having a well-documented cost breakdown, contractors can negotiate better pricing, prevent disputes, and establish clear financial expectations before the project starts.

6. Mitigating Market Fluctuation Risks

The construction industry is highly susceptible to market fluctuations, including changes in material costs and labor rates. Cost estimating services use predictive analytics and historical data to assess these fluctuations and incorporate them into the project budget. This helps contractors prepare for potential price hikes and avoid last-minute financial setbacks.

7. Ensuring Regulatory Compliance

Legal and regulatory compliance is a critical aspect of risk management in construction. An experienced estimating service considers permit costs, environmental impact fees, safety regulations, and other legal expenses to ensure full compliance with local and national laws. This reduces the risk of fines, project delays, and legal disputes.

8. Providing Contingency Planning

Unexpected expenses are inevitable in construction projects. A cost estimating service factors in contingency budgets to cover unforeseen costs such as design modifications, equipment failures, or sudden labor shortages. Having a contingency plan in place ensures that unexpected challenges do not derail the project’s financial stability.

9. Reducing the Risk of Design Errors

Inaccurate estimates can lead to design errors that require costly rework. Construction cost estimating services utilize advanced tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) to detect design inconsistencies before construction begins. Identifying potential errors early in the planning stage prevents costly modifications during execution.

10. Enhancing Decision-Making with Data Analytics

Modern cost estimating services leverage big data analytics and AI-driven tools to provide data-backed insights for better decision-making. By analyzing previous project costs, labor productivity rates, and material price trends, estimators can offer more precise forecasts, helping project managers make informed financial and operational decisions.

The Role of Technology in Risk Management Through Cost Estimating

Technological advancements have further improved the risk management capabilities of construction cost estimating services. Some key innovations include:

AI and Machine Learning: These technologies analyze vast amounts of historical data to identify potential risks and predict cost trends.

Cloud-Based Estimating Software: Enables real-time collaboration, ensuring that all stakeholders have access to up-to-date cost data.

BIM Integration: Enhances accuracy by providing detailed visual representations of the project, reducing design-related risks.

Drones and Remote Sensing: Provide accurate site data, reducing uncertainties related to site conditions and topography.

By integrating these technologies, construction firms can improve estimate accuracy, reduce human errors, and enhance overall risk management strategies.

Conclusion

A reliable construction cost estimating service is a critical tool for risk management in construction projects. By providing accurate cost assessments, identifying potential financial risks, and incorporating contingency planning, these services help contractors avoid costly overruns and delays. Additionally, leveraging modern technology enhances the precision and effectiveness of estimating, making it an indispensable asset for successful project execution. Investing in a professional cost estimating service not only improves financial stability but also ensures that construction projects are completed efficiently, safely, and within budget.

[fortunaestalta]

[softwareappblogs]

In 2024, AI development cost varies based on project complexity, customization, and the AI technologies used. Simple AI solutions may start at a lower price, while advanced, customized systems can be significantly more expensive. Key cost factors include the scope of work, the choice of AI development services, and ongoing maintenance. Pricing models range from hourly rates to fixed pricing or subscription-based services. Understanding these factors will help you budget effectively for AI projects and ensure a strong return on investment.

[txttletale]

genuinely curious but I don't know how to phrase this in a way that sounds less accusatory so please know I'm asking in good faith and am just bad at words

what are your thoughts on the environmental impact of generative ai? do you think the cost for all the cooling system is worth the tasks generative ai performs? I've been wrangling this because while I feel like I can justify it as smaller scales, that would mean it isn't a publicly available tool which I also feel uncomfortable with

the environmental impacts of genAI are almost always one of three things, both by their detractors and their boosters:

vastly overstated

stated correctly, but with a deceptive lack of context (ie, giving numbers in watt-hours, or amount of water 'used' for cooling, without necessary context like what comparable services use or what actually happens to that water)

assumed to be on track to grow constantly as genAI sees universal adoption across every industry

like, when water is used to cool a datacenter, that datacenter isn't just "a big building running chatgpt" -- datacenters are the backbone of the modern internet. now, i mean, all that said, the basic question here: no, i don't think it's a good tradeoff to be burning fossil fuels to power the magic 8ball. but asking that question in a vacuum (imo) elides a lot of the realities of power consumption in the global north by exceptionalizing genAI as opposed to, for example, video streaming, or online games. or, for that matter, for any number of other things.

so to me a lot of this stuff seems like very selective outrage in most cases, people working backwards from all the twitter artists on their dashboard hating midjourney to find an ethical reason why it is irredeemably evil.

& in the best, good-faith cases, it's taking at face value the claims of genAI companies and datacenter owners that the power usage will continue spiralling as the technology is integrated into every aspect of our lives. but to be blunt, i think it's a little naive to take these estimates seriously: these companies rely on their stock prices remaining high and attractive to investors, so they have enormous financial incentives not only to lie but to make financial decisions as if the universal adoption boom is just around the corner at all times. but there's no actual business plan! these companies are burning gigantic piles of money every day, because this is a bubble

so tldr: i don't think most things fossil fuels are burned for are 'worth it', but the response to that is a comprehensive climate politics and not an individualistic 'carbon footprint' approach, certainly not one that chooses chatgpt as its battleground. genAI uses a lot of power but at a rate currently comparable to other massively popular digital leisure products like fortnite or netflix -- forecasts of it massively increasing by several orders of magnitude are in my opinion unfounded and can mostly be traced back to people who have a direct financial stake in this being the case because their business model is an obvious boondoggle otherwise.

[reasonsforhope]

Green energy is in its heyday. 

Renewable energy sources now account for 22% of the nation’s electricity, and solar has skyrocketed eight times over in the last decade. This spring in California, wind, water, and solar power energy sources exceeded expectations, accounting for an average of 61.5 percent of the state's electricity demand across 52 days. 

But green energy has a lithium problem. Lithium batteries control more than 90% of the global grid battery storage market. 

That’s not just cell phones, laptops, electric toothbrushes, and tools. Scooters, e-bikes, hybrids, and electric vehicles all rely on rechargeable lithium batteries to get going. 

Fortunately, this past week, Natron Energy launched its first-ever commercial-scale production of sodium-ion batteries in the U.S. 

“Sodium-ion batteries offer a unique alternative to lithium-ion, with higher power, faster recharge, longer lifecycle and a completely safe and stable chemistry,” said Colin Wessells — Natron Founder and Co-CEO — at the kick-off event in Michigan. 

The new sodium-ion batteries charge and discharge at rates 10 times faster than lithium-ion, with an estimated lifespan of 50,000 cycles.

Wessells said that using sodium as a primary mineral alternative eliminates industry-wide issues of worker negligence, geopolitical disruption, and the “questionable environmental impacts” inextricably linked to lithium mining. 

“The electrification of our economy is dependent on the development and production of new, innovative energy storage solutions,” Wessells said. 

Why are sodium batteries a better alternative to lithium?

The birth and death cycle of lithium is shadowed in environmental destruction. The process of extracting lithium pollutes the water, air, and soil, and when it’s eventually discarded, the flammable batteries are prone to bursting into flames and burning out in landfills. 

There’s also a human cost. Lithium-ion materials like cobalt and nickel are not only harder to source and procure, but their supply chains are also overwhelmingly attributed to hazardous working conditions and child labor law violations. 

Sodium, on the other hand, is estimated to be 1,000 times more abundant in the earth’s crust than lithium. 

“Unlike lithium, sodium can be produced from an abundant material: salt,” engineer Casey Crownhart wrote ​​in the MIT Technology Review. “Because the raw ingredients are cheap and widely available, there’s potential for sodium-ion batteries to be significantly less expensive than their lithium-ion counterparts if more companies start making more of them.”

What will these batteries be used for?

Right now, Natron has its focus set on AI models and data storage centers, which consume hefty amounts of energy. In 2023, the MIT Technology Review reported that one AI model can emit more than 626,00 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent. 

“We expect our battery solutions will be used to power the explosive growth in data centers used for Artificial Intelligence,” said Wendell Brooks, co-CEO of Natron. 

“With the start of commercial-scale production here in Michigan, we are well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for efficient, safe, and reliable battery energy storage.”

The fast-charging energy alternative also has limitless potential on a consumer level, and Natron is eying telecommunications and EV fast-charging once it begins servicing AI data storage centers in June. 

On a larger scale, sodium-ion batteries could radically change the manufacturing and production sectors — from housing energy to lower electricity costs in warehouses, to charging backup stations and powering electric vehicles, trucks, forklifts, and so on. 

“I founded Natron because we saw climate change as the defining problem of our time,” Wessells said. “We believe batteries have a role to play.”

-via GoodGoodGood, May 3, 2024

--

Note: I wanted to make sure this was legit (scientifically and in general), and I'm happy to report that it really is! x, x, x, x

[incognitopolls]

Anon's explanation:

I’m curious because I see a lot of people claiming to be anti-AI, and in the same post advocating for the use of Glaze and Artshield, which use DiffusionBee and Stable Diffusion, respectively. Glaze creates a noise filter using DiffusionBee; Artshield runs your image through Stable Diffusion and edits it so that it reads as AI-generated. You don’t have to take my work for it. Search for DiffusionBee and Glaze yourself if you have doubts. I’m also curious about machine translation, since Google Translate is trained on the same kinds of data as ChatGPT (social media, etc) and translation work is also skilled creative labor, but people seem to have no qualms about using it. The same goes for text to speech—a lot of the voices people use for it were trained on professional audiobook narration, and voice acting/narration is also skilled creative labor. Basically, I’m curious because people seem to regard these types of gen AI differently than text gen and image gen. Is it because they don’t know? Is it because they don’t think the work it replaces is creative? Is it because of accessibility? (and, if so, why are other types of gen AI not also regarded as accessibility? And even then, it wouldn’t explain the use of Glaze/Artshield)

Additional comments from anon:

I did some digging by infiltrating (lurking in) pro-AI spaces to see how much damage Glaze and other such programs were doing. Unfortunately, it turns out none of those programs deter people from using the ‘protected’ art. In fact, because of how AI training works, they may actually result in better output? Something about adversarial training. It was super disappointing. Nobody in those spaces considers them even a mild deterrent anywhere I looked. Hopefully people can shed some light on the contradictions for me. Even just knowing how widespread their use is would be informative. (I’m not asking about environmental impact as a factor because I read the study everybody cited, and it wasn’t even anti-AI? It was about figuring out the best time of day to train a model to balance solar power vs water use and consumption. And the way they estimated the impact of AI was super weird? They just went with 2020’s data center growth rate as the ‘normal’ growth rate and then any ‘extra’ growth was considered AI. Maybe that’s why it didn’t pass peer review... But since people are still quoting it, that’s another reason for me to wonder why they would use Glaze and Artshield and everything. That’s why running them locally has such heavy GPU requirements and why it takes so long to process an image if you don’t meet the requirements. It’s the same electricity/water cost as generating any other AI image.)

–

We ask your questions anonymously so you don’t have to! Submissions are open on the 1st and 15th of the month.

[probablyasocialecologist]

One assessment suggests that ChatGPT, the chatbot created by OpenAI in San Francisco, California, is already consuming the energy of 33,000 homes. It’s estimated that a search driven by generative AI uses four to five times the energy of a conventional web search. Within years, large AI systems are likely to need as much energy as entire nations. And it’s not just energy. Generative AI systems need enormous amounts of fresh water to cool their processors and generate electricity. In West Des Moines, Iowa, a giant data-centre cluster serves OpenAI’s most advanced model, GPT-4. A lawsuit by local residents revealed that in July 2022, the month before OpenAI finished training the model, the cluster used about 6% of the district’s water. As Google and Microsoft prepared their Bard and Bing large language models, both had major spikes in water use — increases of 20% and 34%, respectively, in one year, according to the companies’ environmental reports. One preprint suggests that, globally, the demand for water for AI could be half that of the United Kingdom by 2027. In another, Facebook AI researchers called the environmental effects of the industry’s pursuit of scale the “elephant in the room”. Rather than pipe-dream technologies, we need pragmatic actions to limit AI’s ecological impacts now.

[draconym]

nightshade is basically useless https://www.tumblr.com/billclintonsbeefarm/740236576484999168/even-if-you-dont-like-generative-models-this

I'm not a developer, but the creators of Nightshade do address some of this post's concerns in their FAQ. Obviously it's not a magic bullet to prevent AI image scraping, and obviously there's an arms race between AI developers and artists attempting to disrupt their data pools. But personally, I think it's an interesting project and is accessible to most people to try. Giving up on it at this stage seems really premature.

But if it's caption data that's truly valuable, Tumblr is an ... interesting ... place to be scraping it from. For one thing, users tend to get pretty creative with both image descriptions and tags. For another, I hope whichever bot scrapes my blog enjoys the many bird photos I have described as "Cheese." Genuinely curious if Tumblr data is actually valuable or if it's garbage.

That said, I find it pretty ironic that the OP of the post you linked seems to think nightshade and glaze specifically are an unreasonable waste of electricity. Both are software. Your personal computer's graphics card is doing the work, not an entire data center, so if your computer was going to be on anyway, the cost is a drop in the bucket compared to what AI generators are consuming.

Training a large language model like GPT-3, for example, is estimated to use just under 1,300 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity; about as much power as consumed annually by 130 US homes. To put that in context, streaming an hour of Netflix requires around 0.8 kWh (0.0008 MWh) of electricity. That means you’d have to watch 1,625,000 hours to consume the same amount of power it takes to train GPT-3. (source)

So, no, I don't think Nightshade or Glaze are useless just because they aren't going to immediately topple every AI image generator. There's not really much downside for the artists interested in using them so I hope they continue development.

[eralkfang]

How to Buy Takarazuka Castlevania on BD/DVD

I’ve seen a lot of Castlevania fans express interest in the currently running Takarazuka Castlevania musical and wondering whether or not it would get a pro shot, so I thought I’d jump in and write up a little guide on how to get your hands on the upcoming home video release of Takarazuka Castlevania.

Now, Takarazuka is unusual in that its parent company, Hankyu, is extremely aggressive about piracy and protecting its copyright. The company regularly trawls through YouTube and other social media websites to take down content, and they have deliberately made their livestreams increasingly harder to access in response. This can make it feel like getting your hands on Takarazuka is really difficult and, if you’re used to Japanese companies that are friendlier, it’s definitely a bit of a fan culture shock! 

However, it’s actually not difficult at all. Purchasing a Takarazuka Blu-ray or DVD from outside of Japan is a straightforward process. You just have to know what, when, and where.

What to Buy

Takarazuka releases the vast majority of their shows on physical media. All of their shows staged in the Takarazuka Grand Theater and the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater (hereafter “a GT show”) receive a physical media release on both Blu-ray and DVD.*

The main distinction between the two is the video quality, price, and special features:

A GT Blu-ray costs 11,000 yen and includes rehearsal footage as well as Star Angles, which are special cuts of scenes focused on certain performers. In the case of Castlevania, the Star Angles will focus on the performers playing Alucard, Maria, and Richter.†

A GT DVD costs 8,800 yen and contains no special features.‡ 

Both are region-free but neither includes subtitles of any kind, not even Japanese.

The physical media release will include Castlevania, the one-act musical, as well as Ai, Love Revue!, a separate musical revue with no connection to Castlevania. While Takarazuka does stage two-act musicals, the combination of a ninety-minute one act play with an hour long musical revue is classically Takarazuka. This particular revue repeats some classic numbers from Takarazuka’s past, so it’s a good introduction to what Takarazuka is all about!

When to Buy

Takarazuka physical media releases try to drop fast. A GT show is usually filmed during its run in the Takarazuka Grand Theater (before it moves to the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater) and released during the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater run. Usually is the key word here; I’ve received at least one Takarazuka Blu-ray before the final performance in Tokyo, but others can get delayed, likely due to copyright negotiations.§ Given that Konami is directly involved with the production, I don’t have any concerns about copyright or delays.

Based on recent GT show announcements and releases, I would expect to hear the release schedule announcement during the break between runs (7/21 to 8/15) and the Blu-ray/DVD to release late in the Tokyo run (8/16 to 9/28). So I’d estimate finding out in August that it’s releasing sometime in September. 

Where to Buy

Once the Blu-ray/DVD has been announced, you’ll find it available for international purchase on the following websites:

cdjapan.jp

CDJapan always carries new Takarazuka products, offers multiple shipping options, often has coupons, and allows you to pre-order items. This is predominantly what I use and I can personally recommend it.

Yesasia.com

Yesasia carries new Takarazuka products, offers coupons, and offers free shipping. Takarazuka Blu-ray/DVDs will be noted as “Japan version,” but remember, they’re region-free. I have no experience with this website, so I can’t vouch for it personally.

TakaAn

TakaAn is a shop focusing on Takarazuka (but also other theatrical troupes) in Japan that offers overseas orders via email. 

Amazon.co.jp

Amazon.co.jp used to regularly stock new Takarazuka products, but less so lately. Still, worth checking.

Secondhand Stores 

Secondhand copies of Takarazuka Blu-ray/DVDs crop up on websites like Suruga-ya and Mercari from time to time. Suruga-ya is easy to use, has a wide selection of items, and often offers coupons, while Mercari has a proxy service (Buyee) built in to help you purchase items from overseas. Both are dependent on availability, but are a great way to save some money! (Just make sure the shipping and proxy fees aren’t wiping out the money you save!)

Where to Find Out More

I hope this helps out some Castlevania fans in their quest, since I know Takarazuka can be a little opaque. If the new musical has gotten you interested in Takarazuka, feel free to check out this So You’re New to Takarazuka post and this primer on the Sumire Code. Takarazuka's got a bit of a learning curve, but it’s a wonderful (and very sparkly) hobby! 

* In Takarazuka, the distinction is between GT shows and small theater shows. One of the five Takarazuka troupes performs a GT show (with the full troupe) and then will split for the small theater shows, with half of the troupe in one show and the other half in another, performing in venues outside of the Takarazuka Grand Theater and Tokyo Takarazuka Theater. This allows people who are not the Top Star of their troupe to get leads. These smaller scale shows often receive home video release on Blu-ray, but whether or not it does is based on the internal ranking of the star within Takarazuka (Top Stars always do, but baby’s first lead, not so much). So while not every Takarazuka show gets a home video release, the vast majority do. 

† Flower Troupe/Hanagumi’s Top Star Towaki Sea, the Top Musumeyaku Hoshizora Misaki, and the nibante, Seino Asuka, respectively.

‡ In the pre-Blu-ray era, DVDs not only included the Blu-ray special features, but additional features (like digests for any switch cast roles, documentary features), and came on two discs. 

§ There are some shows that are never released on home video for copyright reasons, usually imported musicals with very complicated licensing agreements (like Big Fish). This hasn’t happened to a GT show in decades and is usually kept to small theater shows, if at all.

[trainsinanime]

The darkly ironic thing is that if you are worried about the recent news that someone scraped Ao3 for AI research, then you're probably vastly underestimating the scale of the problem. It's way worse than you think.

For the record, a couple of days ago, someone posted a "dataset for AI research" on reddit, which was simply all publicly accessible works on Ao3, downloaded and zipped. This is good, in a way, because that ZIP file is blatantly illegal, and the OTW managed to get it taken down (though it's since been reuploaded elsewhere).

However, the big AI companies, like OpenAI, xAI, Meta and so on, as well as many you've never heard of, all probably had no interest in this ZIP file to begin with. That was only ever of interest to small-scale researchers. These companies probably already have all that data, received by scraping it themselves.

A lot of internet traffic at the moment is just AI companies sucking up whatever they can get. Wikipedia reports that about a third of all visitors are probably AI bots (and they use enormous amounts of bandwidth). A number of sites hosting software source code estimate that more than 90% of all traffic to their sites may be AI bots. It's all a bit fuzzy since most AI crawlers don't identify themselves as such, and pretend to be normal users.

The OTW hasn't released any similar data as far as I am aware, but my guess would be that Ao3 is being continuously crawled by all sorts of AI companies at every moment of the day. If you have a fanfic on Ao3, and it isn't locked to logged-in users only, then it's already going to be part of several AI training data sets. Only unlike this reddit guy, we'll never know for sure, because these AI training data sets won't be released to the public. Only the resulting AI models, or the chat bots that use these models, and whether that's illegal is… I dunno. Nobody knows. The US Supreme Court will probably answer that in 5-10 years time. Fun.

The solution I've seen from a lot of people is to lock their fics. That will, at best, only work for new fics and updates, it's not going to remove anything that e.g. OpenAI already knows.

And, of course, it assumes that these bots can't be logged in. Are they? I have no way of knowing. But if I didn't have a soul and ran an AI company, I might consider ordering a few interns to make a couple dozen to hundreds of Ao3 accounts. It costs nothing but time due to the queue system, and gets me another couple of million words probably.

In other words: I cannot guarantee that locked works are safe. Maybe, maybe not.

Also, I don't think there's a sure way to know whether any given work is included in the dataset or not. I suppose if ChatGPT can give you an accurate summary when you ask, then it's very likely to be in, but that's by no means a guarantee either way.

What to do? Honestly, I don't know. We can hope for AI companies to go bankrupt and fail, and I'm sure a lot of them will over the next five years, but probably not all of them. The answer will likely have to be political and on an international stage, which is not an easy terrain to find solutions for, well, anything.

Ultimately it's a personal decision. For myself, I think the joy I get from writing and having others read what I've written outweighs the risks, so my stories remain unlocked (and my blog posts as well, this very text will make its way into various data sets before too long, count on it). I can totally understand if others make other choices, though. It's all a mess.

Sorry to start, middle and end this on a downer, but I think it's important to be realistic here. We can't demand useful solutions for this from our politicians if we don't understand the problems.

[emperor-kumquat]

Sincere suggestions for commissioned artists, from a client's perspective

I am an artist myself, but I don't do commissions.

However I do commission artists and pay them $1000s of dollars USD every year! My project Transformers: Mercy has included around 100 artists and I look for new ones all the time on Tumblr. After all, I just couldn't complete my project without some help. In the Transformers fandom, I guess I could be a top fan artist employer! Screw AI art, right?!

(Feel free to DM me if you would like to be commissioned by me or volunteer art for my big Transformers: Prime sequel game.)

When everything goes well, I am a repeat commissioner and you have me as a permanent client. But what might turn me or another client away from commissioning you initially or a second time?

If you...

... Ask for email-only communication/ have any barriers to direct and fast communication [X]

If we're on Tumblr, I would just like to message you all the details for my comm and get quick updates here. Emailing is not swift! Or sometimes, you have a setting where only blogs you follow can message you. I'll try to leave a comment or an ask, but I might not be seen and the opportunity passes. Consider turning DMs on if you are looking for commissions!

I am also not a huge fan of downloading a comm question sheet, filling it out, and sending it back. It is so much faster for me to just dump all the details of my request (and by now, I know how to be specific). If anything is unclear, I would like the artist to just reach out and ask.

2. ... Give no regular communication and updates [X]

If someone has paid you for a service, please respect that. Give an estimated time for completion and if something comes up, update the client. Clients get nervous waiting days or weeks without updates and they should not have to reach out to ask about what they paid for. Give progress updates too... sketch phase, line art, flats, rendering, what have you. If the client wants changes, it is less grief for everyone to make the change before too much effort goes into the comm. Please, reassure your clients!

3. ... Don't refer to given instructions and reference pictures [X]

I give very specific instructions and reference pictures for my artists. Sometimes, time passes. They forget what the instructions were and send me a work in progress that is not what was requested. It's frustrating when with a scroll up, they would have seen all the instructions again. Please look back to your instructions constantly throughout the process, not just once. Double-check for details as you work.

Client story: Sometimes it's as silly as me asking for a night scene and getting sent a day scene. Sometimes it's characters doing the wrong action. Sometimes it's the wrong angle from what I asked for. Sometimes it's forgetting that I wanted a character to be holding a certain item. All the instructions were given, and the chunk of text which describes the scene, but they were not carefully read.

4. ... State "no changes" or "limited number of changes" in your comm sheet [X]

This worries a client like me. What does that mean, I wonder? What if I perfectly expressed my request but the artist didn't get it right? Will they get upset if I request a small change? I have come to understand some people mean "no major changes from the original request", but it can sound like I don't have a say in the production phase and I could be stuck with something I don't like.

Client story: One time, an artist forgot a piece to a character's arm. It was a wing and blaster, clear on the reference sheet. I only noticed later after the comm was done, so that was on me. I reached out, hoping they could add in the missing piece even for a reasonable quick price because it took me so long to notice. They told me it would cost $40 USD to add in the piece of the arm. I declined. $40 USD, for a piece of an arm?? It was unreasonable. Because of that, I have not returned to this client and otherwise would have.

5. ... Ask for payment up front [X?]

It's a stand off! Because no one wants to be scammed. The artist is afraid of spending so much time and effort to not be paid; the client is afraid the artist is a fraud and will run away with the money.

Now I haven't been scammed yet and I have paid many artists up front many times. But I saw their blogs and they seem trustworthy. Whereas those bots on fanfiction.net, never trust them. But it is still uncomfortable as a client to pay upfront. Sometimes I pay an artist, then 6 months later, I get my art. If you need a lot of time to finish a piece, inform the client and consider getting your payment after. Care for your client and ease their worries. It isn't fun to pay someone then get radio silence for a quarter or half a year... imagine being in that position!

The best solution I've seen? The client pays full or half the payment after the rough sketch phase. The artist hasn't committed too much time yet and the client can see if the artist is capable or not of completing the request. I think it makes us all feel more at ease.

6. ... Are strict/inflexible with pricing [X]

An artist can decide their prices. This isn't about how to value art. But consider this story for nuance:

Client story: This artist I was working with, like most, had set prices per added character. However, I wanted some very tiny background characters who would be lower detail. Characters about the size of a pencil eraser. They wanted to charge full price for each character as though they were like those in detail in the foreground. We tried to negotiate a lower price, but I felt it was still ridiculously high for tiny background characters (around $25 each, if I recall). Because of this, I didn't return to this artist.

7. ... Want to be paid by the hour [X]

Look, I understand wanting to be paid minimum wage for your work. Art is a worthy job! Unfortunately, I have no way to monitor how many hours you actually worked on something. And what if you are slow on purpose? What if you personally are slow at art and not improving on your speed? I am not an employer at an animation studio or anything like that. This is too uncontrollable (and their estimated prices jump up to around $200+ USD for a scene that on average would otherwise cost me $50 USD). I think you should set your prices how you want then let people decide if that price suits them.

8. ... Want a signed contract [X]

Once again I understand not wanting to be scammed. I think the "pay upfront or pay after sketch" thing could protect you as an artist. Maybe you believe the contract comforts us both, but to me, it feels too suspicious or accusatory. No one wants to be treated as a scammer if they are sincere, right? It makes me too uncomfortable and the interaction too business-like. I prefer working with artists who are passionate about Transformers like me, which is why I only commission Transformers fan artists. That way we have real heart in the project. Let's not make it strictly about the money or a tight suspicious business interaction. If I see a contract to sign, I don't commission.

9. ... State "no posting or using the art" [X]

I commission art so that it can appear in my story game. If I pay an artist to make something that I can't show to others, it's a no go for me. I would like to reblog our commission or post it on social media while crediting the artist properly. Your clients are probably very excited to show their commissions (but the clients should never post the art without the credits and never sell that art for their own gain). I let my artists know what the art will be used for, but if I see a statement like this in a comm sheet, I don't reach out initially. It makes me think we'll have a conflict and aren't compatible.

10. ... Argue about how a scene or character should look [X]

This is an odd one, but here are two examples:

Client story: There were two characters in a scene. I asked if one of them could be smaller. The artist insisted they wanted the character to be larger (by this, I mean in height) because they liked big robots. I explained that this character wasn't particularly tall. For some reason, I had to push to get the character the height I wanted him for my story. It was unpleasant.

Client story: I like TFP Starscream without fangs. Some people like to add fangs. No biggie, until I'm the client paying you to draw him for me. They added fangs, I requested no fangs, it turned into an argument on why he should have fangs because he had jagged teeth in RID2015. Whatever it is, respect the client's preferences. Isn't the picture for them?

Please make your client happy and fulfill their requests.

11. ... Are rude or snappy! [X]

Client story: One time I reached out to an artist intending to do a huge commission. But I like to make the commission as fun as possible for my artists so I ask who their favourite Transformers characters are and if they prefer action or calm scenes. That way I can select a good scene for them off my giant list. And for this artist, I explained I had lots of options because it was a big story game. The artist demanded I just give my request, they said they just wanted to make money, then went on a rant that I was poorly organized. Well, we didn't do a commission and they missed out my $100 USD request.

Other suggestions to help you attract and retain clients:

Have someone proofread your comm sheet for typos and grammar (I have never turned someone down for this, it's just an idea)

Provide invoices that don't require addresses

Have a fun and positive comm sheet without passive aggressive statements. Do's and Don'ts are ok, but please don't seem bitter/fierce about something that may have happened in the past. Some terms and conditions really seemed to treat me like a troublemaker or threat!

Have a positive/non aggressive blog that avoids foul language

Appear open to discussion, flexible, and reasonable

These are just my suggestions: the suggestions of a client. It's up to you to accept or reject them as a paid artist. We all have our reasons. They are however, my secret reasons for not returning to certain artists or initially reaching out to them!

[iaminsideyourwalls]

I'm opening commissions, so get 'em while they're hot! 3 slots open at a time, check my ko-fi or bio for openings.

ko-fi.com/wallsartcommissions

Terms below the cut, read before buying

Please let me know the kind of style, composition, and content you want in your piece! Reference images are greatly appreciated, and are required if you want me to draw your OC.

What I won't draw:

anything NSFW: explicit nudity, porn, or fetish art (nothing against these types of commissions, I just can't accept money for them when I can't verify ages online)

anime anything

NFTs

If you're not sure if I'll draw something, ask first. I accept direct messages on ko-fi and tumblr!

Yes, I will draw your OCs. Send a full body reference of your character. If you want a colored piece, please send a colored reference. OC commissions may take longer because I am working from a new reference.

The process: 1) Once you buy a commission from my listings and describe the commission you want, I will give you an estimate of how long you can expect the commission to take. Depending on how large and complex the piece, wait times may vary. 2) I will send you process images for your approval. If you want major edits, I may need to change the price. Once I get your approval for the final piece, I will not make any further edits. If I do not get any responses from you, I may cancel the commission without refund. 3) I will send you a png of the finished piece.

Payment: - I need payment in full up front through ko-fi - I don’t negotiate my listed prices, but I can work with you to price something not listed. - Prices are in USD. I don't accept crypto.

Refund policy: - I don't refund finished pieces. - For WIPs I can only refund the total cost minus the cost of the work I have already done.

Rights: - You own the finished piece for personal use, including profile pics on personal accounts. If you use/post it on your social media I require artist credit. - You do NOT own it for commercial use (you can't make money off of it in any way, make ad revenue off of it, use it to promote your products or brand, use it in a youtube thumbnail, use it as an NFT, sell it, sell it on a product, etc). I do not grant permission to use my artwork in any AI programs. - I may post your commission on my tumblr.

[nemo-of-house-hamartia]

COMMISSION OPEN

RULES:

I retain the right to turn down any commission that would make me uncomfortable;

When Commissioning me, you agree to my terms and policies;

Please be polite. Disrespectful and rude behavior will not be tolerated and your commission will be canceled if it occurs.

Your Commission is to be used for PERSONAL USE ONLY;

Payment is done in PAYPAL ONLY and in EURO (or the equivalent in AMERICAN DOLLARS);

Payment is done upfront and won't be refunded UNLESS something happens on my side that renders me unable to finish the commission. If for whatever reason I find myself unable to finish your commission, you will get a full refund, and that’s THE ONLY CASE a refund shall be issued back;

For Commissions over 100 Euros, 50% of the payment will be paid upfront and the other 50% after you receive the finalized sketch (there is to say, before I move on to do the lineart and colouring);

Any addition/changing AFTER we have agreed on the finalized sketch will entail additional costs;

When drawing your characters, I will need CLEAR VISUAL REFERENCES, for both the pose and the physical appearances, especially if the characters have a complex design (examples: mood boards of your character, other artworks of your characters, a 3d render, a face claim (tho, in that case, I will try to capture the resemblance WITHOUT copying the IRL person), etc, etc. Pinboards on Pinterest are useful to me to get an idea of what you want, but not nearly enough for me to fully understand your design). If you won’t provide ANY of these references, I will automatically assume that this falls under the category of "Character Design”, and the fees will be adjusted accordingly (Original Price + 30% of it, since I will have to craft the characters. However, while discussing your commission, I will tell you right away if the references are enough or if I need more, so you won't end up with any unexpected surprises).

Due to the fact that I am a mom, I will estimate the artwork to be ready (after the full payment) in a period of 2-3 weeks, during which I will send you constant updates. If there is any delay, I shall notify you in that regard;

Please be mindful that, at present time, I am offering only a simple background.

Once the artwork is complete, I shall send you the high-resolution PNG/JPEG format to your mail;

I will retain the right to post the finished commission on my art page unless agreed otherwise;

Do not claim the artwork as your own.

Do not edit/alter finished artwork.

Do not remove my watermark/signature.

Do not use the commissioned piece in any technology related to NFTs, cryptocurrency, or AI.

If you are interested into commissioning me, feel free to contact me at my email address nemo.turunen1889@gmail.com , with the Object being"Commission". Contact me only if you are interested in Commissioning.

In the Email, make sure to include:

-Commission Type;

-Character Visual References;

-References for both Pose AND expression, if you have anything in

particular in mind;

-Your Paypal email in order for me to send you your invoice;

-Your Tumblr Handler, so I know who I am talking to;

Please, consider reblogging this.

Thank you so much for your consideration!

--Nemo

[clancykisser]

STATUS: OPEN!

Hey! Would you like art? I have that!

My commissions are open to help with groceries and other small necessities in my household that we need! Any reblogs are appreciated and thank-you for taking the time to consider me <3

Below are a basic set of rules and examples for my work.

INFORMATION BELOW

RULES:

- Payment is accepted through PayPal, Ko-fi, or Venmo - Payment is asked for before before starting - No art I make may be used for training AI bots or in NFTS - Pieces are for personal use only - No Proship/Comship/Darkship - I'm flexible with references, however, if you do not have any images/refs of what you want I'd appreciate it if I could get some sort of image with any physical description. Even stuff on pinterest or just general ideas is fine! - 3 revisions are offered, two in the sketching stage and one in the line art stage - Estimated time of delivery is 1-2 weeks depending on my mental health. I will always try to keep you updated!

WILL DO: ⩗ Humans /Humanoids ⩗ Furries ⩗ Oc x Canon and SI x Canon ⩗ NSFT (must be 18+ or older) ⩗ Gore ⩗ Monsters

WON'T DO: x Underage Characters x Minor/Adult Ships, Aged Up Ships x Hateful Topics x Transformers/Complex Machinery x Anything involving animal death

PRICES: [Each base price includes the cost of 2 characters, for more they wil l be an add on]

Halfbody - $15 USD

Fullbody - $20 USD

Chibi - $10 USD

Add-Ons: Complex Background - + $5 USD

3+ Characters - +$5 USD

MORE EXAMPLES:

SFW EXAMPLES

NSFT EXAMPLES [WARNING: PLEASE ONLY VIEW THIS IF YOU ARE 18+]