In this guide

Prep Work

Just as when painting walls a new color, prep work needs to be done before painting a mural. This involves clearing the room of furniture and accessories, or protecting them with drop cloths, and preparing the wall. The first step is cleaning the wall. Then, any cracks and holes will need to be filled. Any existing wall texture may also need to be sanded ¹ off to create a smooth surface for the mural.

If the mural will be done outside, more extensive work may need to be done, especially if the mural will be painted on a porous surface such as stucco ² or brick. Power washing is recommended and a masonry primer/sealer should be used on brick or concrete that has never been painted before. The costs for these services are not normally included in the mural bid. You can prepare the walls and area yourself, hire a painter or handyman, or work that into your artist’s bid for around $1-$2 per sq.ft.

Size

Although it may seem that the larger a mural is, the more expensive it would be, that is not always the case. Most artists will have a size minimum of somewhere between 100 and 160 sq.ft. The price normally directly correlates to how detailed the mural is, not how large it is. A small mural with intricate details could cost more than a large mural without much detail. A mural could cover a small space on the wall of a room, an entire wall, or an entire ceiling.

Level of Detail

The more detailed and intricate a mural is, the more expensive it is. A simple mural without much detail would cost around $10 per sq.ft., whereas an intricate and detailed mural would cost around $30 per sq.ft. For a 200 sq.ft. mural, that is $2,000 for simple and $6,000 for highly detailed. Medium-level intricacy would obviously fall somewhere in between. Each artist has their own threshold for intricacy. The more colors used and design elements desired make a mural more intricate.

Design

Each artist may have their own variation of the design process. It is a good idea to meet with an artist to tell them what you are looking for and see if their experience and style match your vision before hiring them. Ask to see a portfolio and check out references before hiring someone. It is typical for an artist to ask for a design deposit before beginning work on the project, usually around $1,500. This should cover the cost of a sketch and revisions if needed. Most artists can create a digital mock up of the design on a photo of the room before starting the painting process. You may be able to skip or modify the design process if you already have the design done yourself.

Mural Painting Techniques

There are a variety of techniques used to paint murals. Most techniques are pretty standard and will not incur an extra fee. However, more complicated techniques, such as trompe l’oeil, may cost extra.

• Sponging is an easy technique that can add texture by using a sponge to apply paint. It is widely used in landscape murals, particularly when creating trees or skies.

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• Stippling is a popular technique used in murals. It adds detail to a mural by first painting one color onto the wall, then adding another color. While the top paint is still wet, the artist will dab the wet paint to allow some of the base coat to show through. This technique could, for example, add depth to a field or meadow.
• Faux finishes may be used to comprise an entire mural or just a part of it. An artist may create faux brick or stone, plaster ³ 2, linen, or other looks.
• Stenciling ⁴ is another easy technique when the artist will either tape or hold a stencil ⁴ on the wall and paint in the stencil ⁴. This is great for borders or adding letters and shapes to a mural.

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• Antiquing is a technique that makes a mural look old. It involves mixing a color such as siena or umber with a glazing medium and brushing the mixture onto the wall when the paint is still wet.
• Glazing is a technique that adds dimension and shading to a mural. It is done by mixing acrylic paint with a glazing liquid.
• Trompe l’oeil is painting objects that look as realistic as a photograph and exist in three dimensions. Requesting a mural in this style will undoubtedly come with a higher price tag. Expect to pay $30 per square foot ⁵ or more, depending on the complexity.

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Types of Paint

The best type of paint to use for a basic mural is acrylic. An artist can use latex paint for the underpainting base layer, as this paint is cheaper. An eggshell finish is the best choice as satin and semi-gloss would be too shiny and flat paint cannot be scrubbed. For outdoor murals, or those on stone or brick, a high quality acrylic, mixed with an acrylic polymer is the best bet. Spray paint may also be used. A clear coat or graffiti seal may be needed on some murals. The price for applying a clear coat or seal is about $2 per sq.ft. Faux finishes are usually created by mixing a glaze with paint to create the desired look. A glaze will cost about $14 per pint. It is also important to use high quality paints that will not fade quickly.

Labor

Sure, it could be fun to try to paint a mural yourself, but chances are it will look much better painted by a professional. They have the training and talent needed to create beautiful art for your home.

The time it will take to complete a mural will depend on many things, including the size, subject, if scaffolding ⁶ or a lift will be needed, and if there are obstacles that need to be worked around. Most murals can be completed in 40 hours (one week). Smaller, uncomplicated murals will take less time and large, complicated murals will take more time. Most artists will have a set rate per square foot ⁵. On occasion, an artist may charge per hour. Expect to pay between $50 and $70 per hour if an artist charges an hourly rate. The cost per square foot ⁵ is generally between $10 and $30 depending on the complexity of the design. Pricing includes all materials, but if lifts or scaffolding ⁶ are needed, that will add on extra costs. The cost to rent a lift for a day is about $120.

It is possible to save some money by hiring an artist who is still in school or just starting out. Their rates could be discounted in order to build their experience and portfolio. Just be sure that the artist has enough experience and will do a good job. Prices will also vary depending on the part of the country you live in. A mural in a New York City apartment will cost more than in a house in Houston, TX. Hiring a muralist from out of state will also be more expensive, as travel costs would need to be paid for as well.

Painting Process

Each artist will have their own variation on the mural painting process, but here are the basic steps:

1. Prepare the surface and area to be painted. Do this yourself, hire someone, or have the artist do it.

2. The artist will then prepare the design. There are a few methods of doing this. They could simply sketch the design on the wall, use a projector to trace the design, or use a grid. The grid method is done by drawing a grid over the design on paper and then drawing a grid on the wall in chalk or watercolor pencil. Once the grid is made, the image can be outlined on the wall.

3. Next, the artist will prepare the paint and supplies. Using the proper size brushes will save on time. They will also prepare paint trays and soapy water for cleaning brushes to have ready when needed. Self-priming latex paint is great for a base coat and then water-based acrylics are usually used to create the small details and pops of color.

4. The artist is now ready to paint the mural. It is important to have good ventilation when painting to ensure the paint fumes can be released–chat with the artist about a ventilation plan. Several layers of paint will be needed to create the mural. Time will be needed between coats to let them dry.

5. Lastly, the artist will step back every once in a while and make sure everything is looking great from a distance. If something does not look right, it can be painted over. When the mural is done it may need to be sealed so that it is protected from the elements. This is especially important with an outdoor mural. After all is done and the mural is completely dry, it is time to clean up, uncover furniture, and move everything back.

Hand-painted vs Spray-painted Wall Mural

Graffiti artists are in high demand. Creating art with an aerosol is a rare talent and it will cost more than a traditional mural. A low-detail mural that includes one or two colors of traditional graffiti will cost about $30 per sq.ft. A medium-detail mural that includes full color graphics will cost about $50 per sq.ft. A high-detail mural that includes photorealism will cost about $75 per sq.ft.

Outdoor vs Indoor Mural

There are several differences between outdoor and indoor murals. An outdoor mural will be exposed to the elements and need to be protected accordingly. It is important to make sure the surface is in good shape before painting the mural, as this will help protect it in the long run. When the mural is finished, it will need to be sealed. Professional sealing will cost about $2 per sq.ft. The artist will also need to be mindful of choosing paints that are made for use outdoors, on potentially porous surfaces, and which are resistant to fading in sunlight.

Although outdoor murals take more prep work and need to be sealed, they are often not as detailed as indoor murals. Even though an outdoor mural will likely be larger and cover more area, it may not necessarily cost more than an indoor mural. An exception would be an outdoor mural using spray paint; this type of mural does cost more. If an outdoor mural is sealed properly, it will not need much additional maintenance. The exception, however, is if the outdoor mural is in a public place–then it is a good idea to regularly check for graffiti and remove it if necessary.

Wall vs Ceiling Mural

Simply enough, a wall mural is painted on a wall and a ceiling mural is painted on a ceiling. A ceiling mural is more difficult to paint and will therefore cost more. Additional equipment, such as scaffolding ⁶ or a lift are also usually required. The same paint is used for both wall and ceiling murals. Spray-paint is rarely used on ceilings. Sealing is rarely required for a ceiling mural since no one should be touching it.

Some artists will charge extra per hour for working under extraneous circumstances. Others may charge more per sq.ft. Equipment rental charges will also be accrued. It will cost about $120 a day to rent a lift or about $50 a day to rent scaffolding ⁶. If the equipment is needed for a long period of time, weekly or monthly rates would likely be a better deal.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Sealant and Protecting Coat

Outdoor murals definitely need a sealant applied to protect the painting from the elements. There are cases when an indoor mural could also benefit from a sealant or protective top coat. For example, if the mural will be in a very sunny location or if people or objects might regularly brush up against the mural. Expect to pay an additional $1-$2 per sq.ft. for the application of a sealer or clear coat.

Adding Texture to the Paint

Texture may be added to the paint to create dimension and character. An artist may use this technique to accentuate certain parts of the mural. The artist will either purchase pre-mixed textured paint or packages of powdered texture to add to regular paint. Pre-mixed textured paint starts at about $50 per gallon and powdered texture starts at about $5 per 10 ounces. This can create the look of stone, sand ¹, or other faux finish. This is a popular method used in trompe l’oeil murals.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Sanded: Process of removing the top surface of a material, such as wood, using sandpaper and/or a specialized sanding machine (for large surface areas)

² Stucco: A type of durable plaster finish made of aggregates, a binder, and water (traditionally Portland cement, sand, and water) used on masonry, walls, ceilings, and decorative moldings

³ Plaster: A paste composed of sand, water, and either lime, gypsum, or cement, which forms a smooth hard surface on walls, ceilings, and other structures upon drying

⁵ Foot: A support for the foundation of a house that also helps prevent settling. It is typically made of concrete reinforced with rebar, but can also be made of masonry or brick. It is usually built under a heavier part of the house like a wall or column, to distribute the weight of the house over a larger area.

⁶ Scaffolding: A temporary structure used during construction/maintenance/painting projects to raise and support workers (or one worker), required materials, and equipment