HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO PAINT A MURAL OR TROMP LOEIL?
FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOUR MURAL PROJECT WILL COST.
AVERAGE MURAL PAINTING COST
Mural painting costs between $7,500 and $12,000 on average, and most people pay around $8,500. However, there are several factors that determine the cost, such as: painting size, project location, the artist's experience and extra budget considerations like consultations, sketches, wall preparation, scaffolding and the artist's minimum fee. The best way to price a mural is to talk to a muralist near you.
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MURAL PRICING
Murals cost somewhere between $2,500 and $35,000 and murals painted by famous mural artists can cost anywhere from $150,000 to $1,000,000, but average people spend about $2,500 to $7,000 to have them painted. Your price may be lower or higher depending on:
Size
Level of detail
Location (indoor/outdoor)
Accessibility
Wall preparation
Wall material
Travel
Weather
Safety and equipment
Painting style (hand-painted/spray-painted)
Preservation (sealing)
Muralist's rate (experienced painters can charge up to five times the average)
Mural Cost Per Square Foot
Take the height (h) and width (w) then multiply the two numbers to get sqft.
The average cost per square foot for murals is $20 to $50. Less detailed paintings by less experienced painters will run at a lower rate than more intricate paintings by experienced muralists. Extremely high-detail projects by in-demand artists can cost as much as $100 per square foot.Note that the artist's rate per square foot may decrease as the size of an outdoor mural project increases, depending on the level of detail.
Wall Mural Pricing
Interior wall mural pricing runs $20 to $50 per square foot or $50 to $150 per hour. You'll pay more for higher levels of detail and experience. Your rate depends on:
Size
Level of detail
Artist experience level
Ease of access
There are a number of other factors that might add to your cost:
Wall preparation: If you need to repair holes and apply a base coat, expect to pay several hundred dollars for this additional service. A great mural artists and expert mural painter will incorporate the wall prep into the mural painting estimate.
Travel: Expect to pay a daily fee or increased rate if the artist has to travel outside of their regular service area, which is typically 20-40 miles.
Wall material: Porous wall materials, like wood and stucco, require extra time and preparation.
Safety and equipment: Expect to pay a higher rate or extra fee to rent scaffolding, scissor lifts and boom lifts.
THE BEST WAY TO PRICE A MURAL IS TO COMPARE QUOTES FROM LOCAL MURALISTS & MURAL PAINTING COMPANIES
Outdoor Mural Pricing
Outdoor mural pricing runs $20 to $50 per square foot or $50 to $100 per hour, like interior pricing.
There are several factors that might add to your cost:
Wall preparation: If the wall needs repairs and prep work, your artist will charge several hundred dollars to prepare it. Great mural artists do such work and can incorporate it into the mural painting contract.
Cost of outdoor paint: Outdoor paint tends to cost more because it is more durable and weather resistant.
Level of detail needed: Outdoor murals are often larger and have less detail than interior ones.
Safety and equipment: A large outdoor mural may call for extra equipment and safety measures, like scaffolding, scissor lift, boom lift and a painting assistant.
Wall Material: Porous materials, like wood, brick and stucco, require extra time and prep.
Weather Conditions: A mural painter in Los Angeles can paint wall murals all year long. Your artist may need to factor in weather-related costs. For instance, they may lose several hours, even days, due to high winds, extreme temperatures or moisture. Expect your contract to include provisions for compensation over delays and issues with weather.
Hand-Painted Wall Murals Pricing
Hand-painted wall murals cost $20 to $50 per square foot or $50 to $150 per hour to paint. Hand-painting is the most common style of painting murals on all wall types.
Spray-painting is a different skill from hand-painting. A spray-painted mural might range higher, from $35 to $100 per square foot, depending on:
Demand for spray paint artists in your area
The artist's experience level
Level of detail needed
Muralists who specialize in spray-painting typically cost more because it's a specialty skill without many opportunities for training, which makes these artists more scarce and in-demand. This may change over time as more classes come available.
MURAL PAINTER COST
Mural painters charge $50 to $150 per hour or generally $20 to $50 per square foot, depending on their experience and the intricacy of your painting. You might pay closer to $100 per square foot for a master mural painter.
There are several things to know about how muralists charge:
Consultations and Sketches: A professional artists not will charge for their initial consultation, but expect to pay for initial sketches. Sketch fees average $500 to $2,500, or a percentage of your mural cost. The design concept is the most important step for any mural artist, muralist or mural painter. This is where the mural artist’s creative intellect and brilliance come in play.
Minimums: Many muralists set a minimum project size or cost per wall mural, typically somewhere between 100 and 200 square feet and $2,5000 - $7,000 per mural project. Consider commissioning a canvas painting for smaller projects.
Extras: Most artists charge extra for things like scaffolding, scissor lifts, boom lifts and wall preparation.
Payments: Mural Artists typically ask for a 50% down payment once you sign the mural painting or mural design contract and the mural painting is scheduled. For larger mural projects with developers, building and restaurant owners it is typical to do a 33% down payment, and 33% once the mural has been 50% completed, and the final payment once the scope of work is finished. If the mural artist, muralist or mural painter does not have a painting contract. Do not do business with them. This will save you from any mural painting artist headaches.
BRIGHTEN UP YOUR HOME OR OFFICE SPACE. WITH THE BEST MURALIST NEAR YOU.
PRESERVATION EXPENSES
The cost to seal and preserve a mural is $200 to $2500, depending on size. The artist typically builds this rate into your total mural cost. Here are a few factors that affect the lifespan of your mural:
Type of paint
A ultra premium high-quality latex, acrylic, oil and spray paint will make your mural last longer. For example, cheap paints fades within three to five years, versus ultra premium high quality latex acrylic paint, which can last decades. Some top brands include:
“We only use ultra premium paints for our wall murals. Cheap economy paints are never used in our mural painting process. This is why we can guarantee our murals from fading and longevity over a lifetime.”
— Michael Che Romero (Mural Artist)
Type of sealant
Sealant or varnish type is just as important as paint type. For example, urethane makes surfaces easy to clean, but it performs poorly in direct sunlight. Also, several varnish manufacturers offer products with UV inhibitors (look for UV Protective on the label). Talk to your muralist to find the best varnish for your project. We recommend PPG Breakthrough Clear Coat and anti-graffiti coating only if problematic.
Sun exposure
Whether indoors or outdoors, sun exposure causes fading. Indoors, minimize sun exposure with window coatings that block UV rays. Outdoors, plan your mural so it's shaded most of the day or plant shade trees.
Pigment & Opaque Ratings
Pigments are rated according to their lightfastness by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the British Standard (B/S). You can check for the lightfastness in the product information, or consult with your painter. Blue’s are the most likely to fade first. Opacity ratings very for each type of paint (oil, latex, acrylic and spray paint) Yellow latex is the most translucent and will take 3-4 coats to get best results.
ASTM: ASTM I and ASTM II are most lightfast; ASTM III is least lightfast.
B/S: Rating of six to eight is best for exteriors; below six not lightfast enough.
EXAMPLE MURAL PRICE
Check out this large, hand-painted interior mural at HomeAdvisor HQ done by arist Jessica Forrestal. This white-and-black mural on a gray wall showcases simple home improvement themes (like screws and outlets) that stretch across dozens of feet and two floors. According to the artist, a project like this usually runs $30 to $50 per square foot. Photos below.
QUESTIONS? ASK OUR ARTISTS ABOUT YOUR MURAL PROJECT.
FAQS
How much do muralists and mural artists make?
On average, muralists make a little less than $60,000 annually, according to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While prolific and exceptional Muralists, Street Artists and Mural Artists can make $150,000 to $1,000,000’s. Muralists fall into the category fine artists, including painters, sculptors and illustrators.
How much should mural pricing be for beginners?
A beginner muralist will charge $5 to $10 per square foot for their work, depending on the level of detail and time needed for the work.
How long does it take to complete a mural?
Completing a mural can take anywhere from one day to several weeks, depending on the size, weather and complexity. For a simple, 100-square-foot project, the artist might take one day. A more complex mural of the same size could take one to two weeks.
Do murals need planning permission?
Murals dont usually require planning permission, and you don't need a permit for an interior mural. Most exterior murals only require the building owner's permission, unless the building is historical or is restricted by an Home Owners Association (HOA).
However, there are instances where the rules are unclear and a mural might come under scrutiny. Here are scenarios you might encounter:
The building changes hands and mural rights are debated
The mural contains an ad and requires advertising consent
The painting doesn't complement the area aesthetic and an association complains
What are mural rights?
Mural rights are often determined on a case-by-case basis. If a property changes hands or an association has a complaint, they might pursue an individual ruling. That ruling may or may not serve as a standard from there forward. As for your rights once you've had a mural done, discuss copyright with your artist if you plan on making future changes and include any copyright claims in the contract. Intellectual property is owned by the artist unless they incorporate the cost into the contract.
Do street artists get paid?
Absolutely! But it depends on how long they have been painted and how renowned they are in their careers.
Street artists are professionals and do charge for their work. They get permissions before they put their art on buildings.
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