AIC Professional Associates and Fellows have met specified levels of peer review and have agreed to adhere to the AIC Code of Ethics. This information is provided free of charge. Once you have obtained a list of potential conservators from the AIC Guide to Conservation Services or have compiled one on your own by consulting conservation professionals, conservation organizations, or collectors, you must choose the most appropriate professional. When selecting a conservator to work on your object, seek sufficient information on the individuals under consideration. It may not be appropriate to restrict your search geographically, especially if the object presents unique problems.
Many conservators are willing to travel.
Contact references and previous clients. Prior to beginning a treatment, the conservator should provide for your review and approval a written preliminary examination report with a description of the proposed treatment, expected results, and estimated cost. The conservator should consult you during the treatment if any serious deviation from the agreed-upon proposal is needed. The conservator should be willing to discuss the basis for all charges. Determine if there are separate rates for preliminary examination and evaluation and if these preliminary charges are separate or deductible from a subsequent contract.