You may have a great idea for original artwork in your home or business, but no idea what it will cost. You’re not alone. Since all murals are one-of-a-kind, they don’t come with a generic price tag. That’s why most murals start with a consultation. This way, the muralist or mural company can see the space, discuss ideas, and assess how much time and materials are needed to complete the work. Of course, all mural companies are different, so here’s how we determine the cost of a mural.
Like most contracted work, the cost comes down to time and materials. To determine how much time is needed, we consider many variables. The four most important are (1) the size of the wall; (2) the painting style; (3) design complexity; and (4) budget.
To illustrate how each of these affects time and cost, let’s use the Mona Lisa.
1. SIZE OF THE WALL
Murals come in all different sizes, from small-framed artworks to the sides of large buildings. Painting Mona Lisa in a small niche would probably take less time than painting her to fit the Los Angeles skyline.
2. PAINTING STYLE
The original Mona Lisa was painted in a realistic style. However, your mural is custom, so you can have her painted in any style you like. She could be more impressionistic, or painterly. She could even be graphic or abstract. Of course, a realistic piece would be more time-consuming than a loose, painterly style. And a simplified graphic look, or one-color silhouette, would be even faster … or in other words, less expensive.
3. DESIGN COMPLEXITY
Design complexity refers to the amount of detail in the mural composition. For example, Mona Lisa by herself would be less complex than adding yourself next to her in the painting. Even more elaborate would be painting 18 Monas on the same wall. You could even add more intricacies, such as setting her in a menagerie filled with animals, giving her a bejeweled headdress, or adding a faux marble plaque with her life’s story “etched” into the “stone.” Simply put, the more elements and details in the design, the more time is needed to complete the piece.
4. BUDGET
Let’s be realistic, you probably have a breaking point when it comes to cost. Since the design and mural are completely custom, the budget is often customizable, too. If you have a specific price point in mind, we can do our best to adjust the aforementioned variables to meet an agreeable price. In other words, if the cost is too high, we can (1) make the mural smaller; (2) choose a more simplistic painting style; (3) simplify the design, or (4) adjust some additional variables that may also affect the cost.
ADDITIONAL VARIABLES
Though the size, style, design, and budget are the biggest determining factors of cost, there are still other components to consider. Some of these include (1) color scheme; (2) surface & texture; (3) accessibility & height; and (4) prep work and finishing work.
1. COLOR SCHEME
A painting with many colors may add extra time and materials versus a mural with only one or two colors.
2. SURFACE AND TEXTURE
Murals can be painted on any surface, from walls and ceilings to floors and furniture and more. When considering cost, walls are typically the easiest and least time-consuming. And they are easier on the neck and knees!
Another thing to consider is the material and texture of the surface. Smooth walls tend to be easier to paint than rough ones and use less paint. Some surfaces require extra prep work, including unpainted or raw surfaces; along with slick surfaces, such as glass or metal. You’ve guessed it, extra prep work could mean extra time and cost.
3. ACCESSIBILITY AND HEIGHT
Another factor that might add more time to a project is access to the wall. This could include objects in the way, such as immovable structures, furniture, or appliances. Accessibility might also be impaired at a busy construction site or in high-traffic public spaces. The ground is important, too. Is the ground at the foot of the wall hard and level? Or is it on a hill, or covered in plants, for example?
Another consideration is the height of the wall. A mural that can be painted on a small ladder will probably take less time than one that requires scaffolding or an electric lift. Scaffolding and lifts may also add additional set-up or rental costs.
4. PREP WORK AND FINISHING WORK
Some walls may need a little extra attention before starting a mural. If a wall is dirty, it may need to first be power washed. Cracks, holes, and chipping paint may need to be patched. And some walls may require priming and/or a base coat before starting the artwork.
In some cases, a mural should be protected with a varnish or clear coat. We recommend adding a UV clear coat to murals that are outdoors, in public spaces, and in areas likely to get dirty/fingerprints or walls exposed to sunlight or moisture. If a mural is in a place that might get vandalized, we suggest an anti-graffiti coating.
THE BOTTOM LINE
As you can see, there are many factors to consider when pricing a mural. And the price can be adjusted by simply altering the different variables. That said, there’s no easy answer to, “How much does a mural cost?” But the answer IS free. You can simply contact us, or your local mural company, for a free quote. We have a nifty calculator to match the appropriate aesthetic with the appropriate cost. After determining the right price range, we can create your custom design, and start painting your portrait right next to Mona Lisa … or whatever idea you have in mind!
COLLABOR[ART]
HATTAS is a team of professional artists who collaborate with homeowners, interior designers, builders, businesses, and more, to create custom murals and artwork that fit each client’s ideas, decor, and budget.
HATTAS serves Greater Los Angeles, California. We are also happy to travel and can paint murals on shippable/removable mural canvas to hang just like giant wallpaper. Please contact us for a free consultation. We’ll collaborate with you to create an original design and paint the perfect mural for your home, business, or public space.
Blog Post Written By: Jeanine Hattas Wilson | CEO & Creative Director | Hattas Studios