Commission terms

Last updated: 6 August 2026

These terms apply to custom commissions arranged with Alistair MacLeod, trading as Fell & Forge by Alistair MacLeod, Sole Trader. They work alongside, not instead of, the written proposal you and Alistair agree for your specific piece. If the two ever conflict for your commission, your written proposal takes precedence. Nothing here affects your statutory rights.

1. How a commission works

Initial enquiry through the commissions form, email or conversation.
Suitability and an approximate budget are agreed.
A 50% design deposit is paid, contributing to the final price.
One developed design direction is prepared.
One reasonable round of revisions is included.
You approve the final design before it goes to casting.
The piece is cast by a specialist casting partner and hand-finished in York.
The final balance is paid and the piece is delivered.

2. Scope and quotes

I will confirm the scope of your commission, and an approximate or fixed price, in writing before any deposit is requested. A quote is normally valid for 30 days unless I say otherwise, since material and casting costs can change.

3. The design deposit

A commission proceeds once a 50% design deposit has been paid. This deposit funds the design work itself and contributes to the final price of the finished piece; design work begins once the deposit has been received.

4. Design direction and revisions

I prepare one developed design direction based on your brief, and include one reasonable round of revisions to that direction. Further changes beyond that round can usually still be made, but I will quote any additional cost and get your agreement before doing that additional work.

5. Approval before casting

Nothing is sent for casting until you have approved the final design. Once you approve it, further changes may involve extra cost and time, which I will discuss with you before proceeding, since remaking a design after casting has started is rarely straightforward.

6. Casting and finishing

Approved designs are cast in sterling silver by a specialist casting partner. Sprue removal, finishing and polishing are carried out by hand in the York workshop.

7. Final balance and delivery

The remaining balance is due before your finished piece is dispatched or collected. I will agree delivery or collection arrangements with you directly. Completion dates are agreed estimates rather than guarantees; if a material delay comes up, for example with the casting partner, I will let you know as soon as I reasonably can.

8. Ring sizing

Rings are made to the size you confirm. Please check your size carefully, using the ring sizing guide if it helps; resizing after casting may not always be possible and, where it is, may involve an additional cost.

9. Wording, coordinates and reference information

Any wording, coordinates or reference information you give me is used only to design and make your commission, and is treated as confidential to it, never published or shared, beyond what is described in the privacy notice.

10. Design rights and photography

You own the physical, finished piece once it is fully paid for and delivered. Fell & Forge retains copyright and design rights in drawings, CAD models and general design work behind it, unless I agree in writing to transfer them. I may photograph a completed commission for the Fell & Forge portfolio, but will not do so in a way that reveals private personal information, and will respect a reasonable request for confidentiality made before work begins.

11. If you need to cancel

Because a commission is made to your specification, the ordinary 14-day change-of-mind cancellation right for online purchases does not apply once personalised design work has begun. This does not affect your right to a remedy if the piece turns out faulty, damaged or not as described.

If you cancel before completion, I may retain an amount from your deposit that reasonably reflects the design work already completed, any direct costs I cannot recover (for example an already-placed casting order), and any other genuine loss caused by the cancellation. Any balance of the deposit beyond that is refunded to you.

12. If I need to cancel

If I have to cancel a commission for a reason that is not your fault, for example being unable to complete the piece, I will refund any money you have paid for it.

13. Faulty, damaged or misdescribed work

If your finished piece is faulty, damaged in transit or not as described, contact contact@fellandforge.co.uk and I will put it right in line with your statutory rights as a consumer.

14. Confidentiality

I treat the personal details, stories and reference material you share for a commission as confidential, used only to design and make your piece, and handled as described in the privacy notice.

15. Complaints

If anything about your commission is not right, please tell me directly at contact@fellandforge.co.uk so I can resolve it. These terms work alongside, and do not replace, the written proposal agreed for your specific commission.