A large original painting displayed above a reception desk in a warm, upscale interior

Commissioning guide

Commissioning a painting vs. buying one ready to hang

A commission and a ready-made original solve different problems. Here is how the cost, timeline, and outcome actually compare, so you pick the right one for your situation.

Browse ready-to-hang originals

Commission a Vancouver Artist › Cost vs. Ready-to-Hang

The real difference is what you are actually buying

A ready-to-hang original already exists. You see the finished piece, its exact price, and can have it shipped this week. A commission does not exist yet: you are paying for an artist's time to create something specific to your size, subject, and room, which naturally costs more and takes longer, but produces something no one else could buy.

Neither is the better choice in general. The right one depends on whether a specific vision matters more to you than speed and certainty.

Commission vs. ready-to-hang, side by side

FactorCommissioned paintingReady-to-hang original
What you see before buyingA proposal and, often, progress photosThe finished piece itself
Typical costGenerally higher, quoted per pieceFixed price, VanArtHub's active range is $531 to $8,000
TimelineWeeks, agreed with the artist up frontShips within days
Fit to your exact size and subjectBuilt to your specificationChosen from what already exists
Best forA specific size, subject, or colour palette nothing existing matchesWanting an original you love on the wall soon

How to decide between the two

Commissioning makes sense when a specific requirement cannot be met by browsing: an unusual size for a particular wall, a subject with personal meaning, or a colour palette that has to match a room precisely. VanArtHub's commissioning process fixes the size, timing, and price with the artist in writing before any work begins, exactly like the full guide at Commission a Vancouver Artist explains.

Buying ready-to-hang makes sense when you want the certainty of seeing the exact piece before paying, and when timing matters. Every ready-to-hang original at VanArtHub also carries the 14-day trial and the Lifetime Trade-Back once that window closes, a protection that applies the same way to commissioned pieces once delivered and accepted.

Common questions

Is commissioning a painting more expensive than buying one ready-made?

Commissioning a painting is generally more expensive than buying a comparable ready-made original, since a commission pays for an artist's dedicated time to create something new for your exact specification. VanArtHub fixes the commission price in writing with the artist before work starts, so there is no surprise at the end.

How much does a commissioned painting cost?

A commissioned painting's cost depends on the artist, the size, and the medium, which is why VanArtHub's process gets a written quote approved before any work begins. Ready-to-hang originals at VanArtHub currently range from $531 to $8,000, which gives a useful comparison point.

Should I commission a painting or buy an existing one?

Commission a painting when a specific size, subject, or colour palette matters more than speed, and buy an existing original when you want to see the exact finished piece and have it shipped quickly. Both routes at VanArtHub include a Certificate of Authenticity and the same purchase protections.

How long does a commission take compared to buying ready-made?

A ready-made original ships within days of purchase, while a commission typically takes several weeks, with the exact timeline agreed with the artist before work begins. The wait is the trade-off for getting a piece built specifically for your space.

Does the 14-day trial apply to a commissioned painting?

The same purchase protections that apply to ready-to-hang originals, including the Lifetime Trade-Back once the initial window closes, apply to a commissioned piece once it is delivered and accepted. Confirm the specific terms with the gallery when you agree to the commission.

Can I change my mind partway through a commission?

Raise any concerns during the progress-photo stage rather than waiting until the piece is finished, since the size, subject, and price are agreed with the artist in writing up front specifically to avoid surprises at the end.

What is the progress-photo stage in a commission?

During the progress-photo stage, the artist sends a photo of the painting partway through, before it is finished, so you can see the direction it is taking. This is the point to flag anything that does not match what you agreed in writing, since it is easier to adjust before the piece is complete.

Could I get an existing original resized instead of commissioning one?

No, a ready-to-hang original is sold as painted and cannot be resized without becoming a different piece. If the exact size you need does not exist in the current collection, a commission is the way to get a painting built for that wall, agreed with the artist in writing before work begins.

Ready to start a commission, or browse what already exists?

Both paths lead to an original signed painting with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Start a commission enquiry