Let’s try not to sell ourselves short here. Let’s also not rip the people off, yeah?
Whether you are trying to receive a mural or you’re wondering how the hell you’re going to price something you just put your heart and soul into as a muralist. Either way you want answers and I am here to give them to you.
The Hampton Social. Painted by Summer DeSalvo 2019
My first mural commission was at a restaurant that I was actually serving at, Hampton Social. The owner knew I could paint so he asked if I’d be willing to paint murals around their building. It got into that I didn’t have the experience so they weren’t too sure if they were to hire me or not. They didn’t want to hire the other guy because he was charging $17,000. So when they asked how much I would charge I had no idea. I talked about it at a bar with my friend one night and she said “why don’t you just cut his price in half”, so that’s what I did. I came back to them with a quote of $8500 so they obviously hoped on that discount.
I sold myself many times for a long time till I had enough clientele to not be afraid to quote them a higher amount than usual. Sometimes I still sell myself short. Either because I really want to do the painting, it would be great in my portfolio and something I want to advertise to do more of. Or two, because that person doesn’t have much funds and I know it’ll change their world to have it so I become a sucker and just do the damn thing.
Nowadays I charge them the amount that I feel it will be worth it to me and if someone is just being too cheap and won’t drop it, I simply move on. No pity for the disrespectful cheap.
Pricing a mural depends on four circumstances:
Size
Detail
Surface
Location
How big we talkin?
The size is EVERYTHING. Probably one of the most important parts when it comes to pricing a mural. Obviously the larger the painting, the more it is going to cost. If it is on a wall that isn’t too tall and you can reach everything from the ground then it won’t be much extra cost for equipment to get you high up as it would for something 20 feet in the air.
For example, 10×10 feet will be around $1000-5000. This all depends on the detail as well though. If it’s a 40×40 foot mural then you will need a lift which will add a significant amount to the quote. Every mural should start at least at a $1000. If you are just starting out it is understandable to do it for less just to get out there but once you’re established, this should be mandatory.
Many muralists also charge by square feet which is an average of $10-$20 a square foot.
Picture by fixr.com
How much detail?
Detail is a huge factor as well. If we’re painting the “Last Supper” with the detail of all the food on the table, every robe on every disciple, the ridges in the walls, but it’s only 8 feet long? We’re charging a sh*t load. When it comes to detail, size doesn’t even matter anymore. It could be the smallest mural ever but if it consists of a big scene that has a whole family of freakin 12 having supper together it better be able to take me to Bali at least 10 times with the amount I’m charging.
Yes I illustrated the whole “Last Supper” if you can’t tell by my tone the extent of the project. It took way more time than I thought it would but wow was it worth it. I did the entire 8×4 ft illustration with nothing but words and verses from the bible, so you can see why it was very time consuming. Still my largest and most proud illustration yet.
The “Last Supper” illustrated with nothing but words. Illustrated by Summer DeSalvo, 2023
I’m not painting a warehouse am I?
I went into depth about this topic in my last post. SURFACE!
Once upon a time, I went to paint a large American flag covering a 20×100 ft warehouse for Cleetus McFarland, not putting into consideration the surface. I thought I had the best plan ever to accomplish this in just 3 DAYS LOL. It took me 3 weeks. The surface was obviously metal which means it can really only be done by being sprayed. Oh spray it? Seems easy enough. No. There’s ridges all over the warehouse so the overspray will get EVERYWHERE. And it did. I redid this warehouse a couple of times. I won’t get into the stars on the flag.
Cleetus McFarlands “Freedom Factory” warehouse. Bradenton, FL 2021. Painted by Summer DeSalvo
My point being, please put into consideration the surface you’re working on. You may choose to work on challenging projects or not, I personally love challenges so I will take on literally any job that comes my way. Just think about the process BEFORE getting there to start. Because not only was it very stressful having to keep restarting but I had pennies to dollars at the time so it costed me a lot more than it should have all because I didn’t approach the job with the professional knowledge I needed for the project.
Ceilings and Floors
Ceilings are challenging due to the neck ache and the constant fear of paint falling to the floor from the ceiling while you’re painting. Let alone all the drips on your face and it just gets everywhere let’s be real. The set up to paint a ceiling is something I don’t enjoy but y’all should know by now that I’ll do it anyways.
Cloud Ceiling. Cape Coral, FL 2023. Painted by Summer DeSalvo
Floors
Floors need to be thought about as well. When it comes to floor murals, it can be done but the longevity isn’t long if the floor its painted on is being used. Even with clear coats. I painted the “Freedom Factory” race track, which you can imagine what it looks like now. That’s probably the worst ground I could have painted but it’s what the people wanted. Although donuts won’t be going over most murals on the ground/floor, it’s important to try and seal them the best you can anyways.
Pools
I have yet to paint in a pool but it is on my list of wants in my mural business. The longevity isn’t the best and you have to really know what you’re doing in order to prevent cracks and it coming off but when done right it lasts 5-7 years before needing redone. This is done using Epoxy Pool Paint.
Location
Lastly, location. If you have to travel for a commission then add on the amount of gas you will be using and your accommodations. Use Invoice.com to set up your price sheet for your client and include this so they know what they’re being charged for. Hotels are expensive nowadays so make sure you’re being reimbursed for them. Don’t be like me and sleep in your car in a town you don’t know with a trunk full of paint because you can’t afford a hotel and too afraid to ask for more money.
I hope I was able to cover everything about pricing commissions. With all of these factors in mind you’ll be guaranteed to get your deserved profit from a job you put blood, sweat, and tears into. Sometimes all 3 of those happen but it’s still a great job.
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