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The Art Provider's FAQs

What are the services offerred by AIN?

A.I.N. is a cloud-based IT company providing services such as networking, estimating, notifying, recruiting, file sharing, invoicing and funding. Clients use the AIN software to simplify the process of finding an art installer. Art Installer Network does not install art.



Is AIN insured?

AIN is fully insured as an IT company with a $2M policy ($4M aggregate) covering risks relatd to the IT industry, such as breaches in data security and infringments of intellectual property.



Are the installers insured?

We require installers to be insured with basic liability insurance. If the instaler is asked to deliver product, we will search for an installer with an auto-umbrella.



Are the installers employees if AIN?

AIN introduces clients to independent providers of installation services. Installers are neither employees nor are they considered sub-contractors of either AIN or their clients.



What are AIN's payment terms?

AIN works as a middle-man. Knowing that installers want to be paid right away but that most clients have 30 day terms, we step in to pay the installer ahead of their client's pay. That being the case, our term are net 15, but we're not calling clients about it until that 30 day mark.



I'm an installer. How can I help more art providers?

Go to the navigation menu and click on the Installer Registration link. There you can inventory your skills, register your contact information and give the names of references. You'll be contacted via SMS and email when a regional project is pending. Further installer questions can be found at the installer's FAQ page.



How are the installers recruited?

AIN maintains a database of the nation's art installers and museum preparators who've we've contacted or who have registered with AIN. When a project is reserved, an algorithm notifies professionals of the details with the highest rated installer, closest to the job site receiveing the first notification. If available, the installer is introduced to the client. If unavailble, the next highest-rated installer is contacted.



How do I find an installer through Art Installer Network?

The process begins with an accurate order. With full disclosure, clients describe their projects and AIN estimates the labor costs, based on the scope, not the time to install. This policy prevents slow installers from being paid more than fast installers and natually pays fast installers a higher hourly wage. It also doesn't clients for delays unrelated to a project. When the install date is known, request an installer. AIN recruits available professionals based on their past installs, their distance from the job site and their skill sets, then introduces them to the client. THey're encouraged to review the scope and decide of they are appropriate for the project. If not, another installer will be recruited. Projects are completed by the approved installer and AIN confirms the quality & quantity of work. If the workmanship is acceptable, AIN pays the installer and invoices the client.



Who are the installers?

All known installation professionals are included in our database.



What services do the installers offer?

Receiving, storing, delivering, unpacking, staging, placing, installing, cleaning, photographing and documenting.



How are travel expenses determined?

When an advanced estimate is requested, transportation expenses are predicted, varying with a city's geographical size, cost of travel and assumes a one-way travel time of one hour. The exact amount varies with the project's zip code and ranges from $40-$120 per predicted day, per requested installer.



Who are the principals of AIN?

The CEO is Maggie Smith, founder and former owner of Art Source Online (ASO). The COO is Scott Solda, former art installer and computer programer for ASO.



Can I reserve a project scheduled 6 months from now?

It has been our overwhelming experiences that a project scheduled 6 months from now will be rescheduled. With each new date, installers are either recruited or they need to adjust their schedules. A much better options is to confirm that a site is ready for the install within 2 weeks of the install date. At that time, we will happily accept your request for an installer.



Are all of the nation's installers shown on your map?

Not yet, but we're working on the database daily. If you know of a fast installer, please introduce us. We'll add them to the roster.



When should an install be scheduled?

It's important a project is not scheduled too early. When exactly is "too early"? * Hardhats are still required at the job site. * The sounds of electric saws can be heard. * Walls are still being painted and finished. * Furniture has not yet been placed. Ideally, the art should be installed as part of the punch list.



How quickly can we find an installer?

When faced with an emergency staffing situation, AIN pulls out all the stops to get an installer to a site ASAP. Much will depend on the locality, but we've had a few instances where installers made it to a previously unscheduled job site within one hour of the request.



How are labor expenses calculated?

A nationwide sampling of install prices was conducted and indicated a $60/hour to be the lowest common wage. Looking at average installation times, a normal-sized piece using standard hooks, installed into drywall at normal viewing levels, in a unoccupied facility takes about 10 minutes to install. At $60/hr, the cost would be $10. Compared to standard pieces, security hardware require more time and adds 2.5 - 3.5 minutes (thus $2.50-$3.50) per piece, acrylic pieces (without standoffs) adds 5 minutes, pieces with standoffs calculat completion times based on the number of barrels and the number of acrylic or dibond sheets. Pieces in concrete add $3/minutes per hole, occupied facilities add to the cost, as do "hands-on" designers. In the end, the dollar amounts correlates to the expected install time. Enter the details in our online form to estimate completion times and costs..



What if the project has less work that what was ordered?

When an installer is recruited with the promise of being able to hang a certain number of pieces and less than that number are present, it can be a sticky situation. In this case, we would negotiate with outcome with the installer. Workers with vision will see the advantage of being flexible with their clients and to looking forward to the opportunity to help install future projects. But sometimes travel costs exceed stipends, so promised payouts may be expected.



Can AIN handle large projects?

Large projects are our specialty and is where the benefits of performance-based pay are most realized. In the ranks of installers, AIN knows of dozen who are able to hang 50% more than anyone else. Given a 10 hour work-day, these professionals are hanging up to 70 pieces each! We'll bring in these "super-installers" along with a couple of locals to have large project completed quickly. At guaranteed prices.



How are the installers NOT sub-contractors?

Installer do not receive1099-M's. For more information, Google 1099-K.



What if the actual completion time is SHORTER than predicted?

Assuming the order was accurate, if the estimated time is greater than the actual time, the difference is attributed to a smooth project and/or a fast installer. We wouldn't take away money from a fast installer so the estimated price will be the final price.



What if the actual completion time is LONGER than predicted?

Assuming the order was accurate, if the actual time is greater than the predicted time, the difference is attributed to unrelated delays and/or a slow installer. We wouldn't charge a client more money for either of those scenarios, so the estimated price will be the final price.



What is AIN's phone number and why isn't it listed on the website?

AIN's phone number is 1 (800) 693-4192. Since the process is automated and we are unable to forward phone conversations to the installers, email is the preferred method of communication.



Is that the final price?

The total price includes labor, travel and a 10% Network fee. As an example, in Milwaukee, a 44 piece H&W project may have a 440 minute estimated completion time and would carry a $440 charge for labor. A daily fee of $100 (specific to Milwaukee) pays for an installer's travel expenses. To that $540 amount, a Network fee of $54 (10%) is added for the use of their software. The project would have a final price of $594.



What if the end user has additional pieces to be hung?

If the client's customer (the "end-user") requests an installer hang additional pieces not purchased from the client and not included in the estimate, the installer needs to contact the client or AIN before hanging those pieces. Further instructions will be given at that time.



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