Commission Lead Times: Stage by Stage From Brief to Installation
Updated 24 October 2026 · Husain Vajihi, founder of 1-OPH
Short answer: A bespoke commission runs in five stages: brief (about 1 week), design and approval (1–3 weeks), sampling (1–2 weeks), fabrication and shipping (about 6–10 weeks for smaller steel pieces, 3–6 months for large marble or bronze), then delivery and installation (a few days to 2 weeks). Most delays come from slow approvals, not slow making.
"When will it be ready?" is the question behind every other question. And the honest answer is: it depends more on decisions than on making. I have seen a simple steel piece take five months because the client could not choose between two finishes, and a large bronze land early because everyone signed off on time. Here is the timeline, stage by stage.
How long does each stage of a commission take?
- Brief and concept, about 1 week: the space, intent, budget and deadline are set.
- Design and approval, 1–3 weeks: drawings, renders and sometimes a 3D printed model, scaled to the position, with base and fixing defined.
- Sampling, 1–2 weeks: stone, patina or steel finish approved in the real material before anything is cut.
- Fabrication and shipping: about 6–10 weeks for smaller steel or mixed pieces; 3–6 months for large carved marble or cast bronze.
- Delivery and installation, a few days to 2 weeks: including access, lifting, fixing and final clean.
The stages run in sequence, and each sign-off protects what follows. What each stage involves is explained in how to commission a bespoke sculpture, step by step.
What makes a commission take longer?
- Slow approvals: the number one cause. A decision left open for three weeks moves the whole programme by three weeks.
- Material: carved marble takes longer than cast bronze, which takes longer than formed steel.
- Size: mass adds time at every stage, from sourcing the block to lifting it into place.
- Complexity: figurative or intricate forms take longer to design, sample and finish than clean abstract ones.
- Shipping and customs: large crated pieces need freight booking and clearance time built in.
- Site readiness: a piece that arrives before the site can take it waits in storage.
How long different types of piece usually take, a planter versus a fountain versus a figure, is in how long a bespoke sculpture commission takes.
How do I plan a commission around a fixed deadline?
Work backwards. Take the handover or event date, reserve 2 weeks for delivery and installation, then the fabrication window for your material, then sampling and design. That gives you the latest date the brief can start. Then start earlier.
The most common mistake is leaving the art until the fit-out is nearly finished. A late start squeezes design and sampling, the two stages that protect quality. Bring the commission in alongside the interior design.
Where can time honestly be saved?
A clear brief up front saves a week. Approving within 48 hours saves several. A simpler form or a faster material, steel instead of carved marble, is a legitimate choice when the date is fixed. If you need something this month, we keep finished pieces in our Al Quoz showroom; see available now.
What should never be rushed is sampling and structural checks. They are what stop an expensive mistake. Any studio promising a large marble in three weeks is either not making it or not checking it.
What I tell clients
- Your speed of decision is the biggest lever on the timeline.
- Plan backwards from the date, then add a buffer.
- Sampling is not optional, even in a rush.
- Tell us the real deadline, including the client presentation, at brief stage. Here is how to write that brief.
- Designers: put the art on the programme at concept stage; more in sourcing bespoke art in the UAE.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a bespoke sculpture take from brief to installation?
Roughly 2–4 months for smaller stainless steel or mixed-material pieces and 4–7 months for large marble or bronze, depending mainly on material, size, complexity and how quickly decisions are made.
What causes the most delays in a commission?
Slow approvals at design and sampling stage. Material, size, complexity, shipping and site readiness also add time.
How do I plan a commission around a deadline?
Work backwards from the date: allow about 2 weeks for installation, then fabrication time for the material, then sampling and design, and start the brief before that.
Can a commission be sped up?
Yes, within limits: a clear brief, fast approvals, and a simpler form or quicker material. Sampling and structural checks should not be skipped.
What if I need a piece faster than a commission allows?
Choose from finished pieces already in the Al Quoz showroom, or a simpler steel form that can be made in the shorter window.
Working to a date? Tell us the deadline on our contact page and we will tell you honestly what is possible.
1-OPH designs and delivers bespoke sculpture, water features, fireplaces, benches and planters in marble, stainless steel and bronze, for homes, hotels and developments across the UAE and GCC. Showroom in Al Quoz, Dubai.
