Pricing on Murals
I have been painting for almost 30 years.
1. There is no flat rate of how much a mural will cost. I can give a good estimate once I have heard what design is on your mind. Remember that every mural is created in the following steps:
1. YOU get a great idea and you think to yourself 'gee, I wonder if this can be done?'
2. YOU talk to me and I take your great idea and envision it myself.
3. I explain back to you what I think YOU have in mind.
4 . The quick sketch is done (black and white and lots of arrows pointing things out). NOW is the time when the initial cost is estimated.
5. The initial color sketch (usually watercolor) is created and we look at it together to decide if it is right. NOW the price is SET.
6. The initial colors are 'set in stone'
7. The mural is sketched out on the wall/object
8. LAST CHANCE FOR CHANGES!!!
9. Painting begins.
10. Painting is finished.
2. Now that you see the steps involved you can better understand the 'pricing' issue. Most artists have a minimum price for any project and I am no exception. The minimum for any project I work on will start at $250.00.
3. Cost Estimates:
CONDITIONS: TYPE COST FROM (minimum charge):COST TO (maximum charge)
A. INTERIOR Nursery $250: $1,100
Children $250: $1,100
Teenager $250: $2,000
Residential (adult) $250:$5,000
Commercial Property $250: no upper limit (most businesses have HUGE walls)
B. EXTERIOR Residential (adult) $500: $11,000
Commercial Property $500: no upper limit (most businesses have HUGE walls)
4. If the location of the mural (project) is within 20 miles of Dahlonega, Georgia, estimates are free. For distances beyond 20 miles of Dahlonega, there is a $50.00 traveling fee which will be deducted from the client's final bill for services.
5. Drafts (sketches), Proposals, and contracts are required before any project can be scheduled or started. The sketches will show you how the mural will look on the object so you'll know whether or not you need to change something.
The drafts help me: 1. determine the supplies needed, 2. the time it will take, and 3. the labor involved.
The draft and proposal are included with the cost of the project.
6. The cost of a particular project includes the artwork, labor, tax and materials. For some murals, equipment rental (lifts, scaffolds, etc.), travel expenses and per diem are required but are not included with the cost of the mural. The proposal will show the breakdown of costs.
7. MURALS WHICH REQUIRE MORE THAN 20% as LADDER WORK COST 20% MORE. Most rooms with wall murals only have about 10% of the project as ladder work. Ladder work is difficult and fatiguing.
8. Once you have received your color sketch (watercolor), proposal, and have approved the project (and booked it), any changes that need to be made must be stated before I begin painting. Many changes require different basecoats and/or prepwork for the surface. If the changes will take additional time, there will be an additional charge of $50.00 per hour (with a minimum charge of one hour). If the changes you request call for additional materials, you will be charged the retail cost for those materials in addition to the added labor cost.
9. Cost Estimates are just that - estimates. If you have a certain project in mind and just want to know the estimated cost, I will be happy to give you an approximate project cost. Once you begin moving forward with your idea, the price of the actual job will not go over what is listed on your proposal unless you make changes to material requirements or overall project (see below). Custom murals are NOT BOUGHT IN BIG BOX STORES, therefore the cost refelcts an actual artist working and not 9 people and 4 robots on an assembly line in India making the same item 500 times a day. *1* Changes made to a project's scope,(EXAMPLES: adding characters/major elements, changing main color(s), square footage, change in location, change in materials, change in technique, etc.) will incure an additional charge.
10. A project (mural) will not be scheduled until the draft and proposal are approved by you and I receive the 50% deposit up front unless other arrangements have been made.
11. Changes to the Sketch are gladly accepted. However, major or multiple changes introduced after the first two drafts are created will result in a charge of $50.00 per additional drawing. I am sure you would like to avoid additional charges. The best way to avoid extra costs is to please tell me what you want; all the small and large details, the theme or idea, colors (show me a paint chip or 2!!!), size, positioning, and anything you want matched like- placemats, fabric or toys.
12. The balance of your bill is to be paid upon completion of the project.
13. Payments can be made by cash, or check (be aware if your check bounces there will be an additional $50 fee AND I WILL NOT TAKE ANOTHER CHECK!). Right now I am not sure if I will take Paypal.
14. Furniture should be moved at least 6 feet away from the wall (surface), pictures, shelves, objects removed from the walls, and any damage to the wall must be repaired prior to my beginning the mural. You may be able to reduce the cost of your mural by applying the first basecoat yourself (not all projects can be reduced this way.) If there are additional instructions (depending on the project) you will be notified. A minimum $100 (maximum $500) fee will be charged if these conditions are not met and I must prepare the space, prior to the project's beginning.
15. Please make sure I'm aware of any surprises I should know about before I start painting. I really don't like surprises and some of the surprises I have had in the past are: no running water, lack of lighting, poor lighting, no electricity, no heat, no air, 5 flights of stairs, crowded location (lots of people/animals), no available parking, no safe place for ladders, and strange avaliable work times.
16. I love animals and have taught high school, but dogs/cats running through my paint and children with a million questions do make it more difficult to paint. If I need to entertain a child while painting there will be a $30 per hour babysitting charge added to your cost.
17. Many artists do not like being watched. I am not one of them. :-) If you want to watch me work you are welcome to (no added cost, as long as, I am not babysitting!) I am a cheerful individual and will happily lose my voice talking to you if you stay in the room.
1. There is no flat rate of how much a mural will cost. I can give a good estimate once I have heard what design is on your mind. Remember that every mural is created in the following steps:
1. YOU get a great idea and you think to yourself 'gee, I wonder if this can be done?'
2. YOU talk to me and I take your great idea and envision it myself.
3. I explain back to you what I think YOU have in mind.
4 . The quick sketch is done (black and white and lots of arrows pointing things out). NOW is the time when the initial cost is estimated.
5. The initial color sketch (usually watercolor) is created and we look at it together to decide if it is right. NOW the price is SET.
6. The initial colors are 'set in stone'
7. The mural is sketched out on the wall/object
8. LAST CHANCE FOR CHANGES!!!
9. Painting begins.
10. Painting is finished.
2. Now that you see the steps involved you can better understand the 'pricing' issue. Most artists have a minimum price for any project and I am no exception. The minimum for any project I work on will start at $250.00.
3. Cost Estimates:
CONDITIONS: TYPE COST FROM (minimum charge):COST TO (maximum charge)
A. INTERIOR Nursery $250: $1,100
Children $250: $1,100
Teenager $250: $2,000
Residential (adult) $250:$5,000
Commercial Property $250: no upper limit (most businesses have HUGE walls)
B. EXTERIOR Residential (adult) $500: $11,000
Commercial Property $500: no upper limit (most businesses have HUGE walls)
4. If the location of the mural (project) is within 20 miles of Dahlonega, Georgia, estimates are free. For distances beyond 20 miles of Dahlonega, there is a $50.00 traveling fee which will be deducted from the client's final bill for services.
5. Drafts (sketches), Proposals, and contracts are required before any project can be scheduled or started. The sketches will show you how the mural will look on the object so you'll know whether or not you need to change something.
The drafts help me: 1. determine the supplies needed, 2. the time it will take, and 3. the labor involved.
The draft and proposal are included with the cost of the project.
6. The cost of a particular project includes the artwork, labor, tax and materials. For some murals, equipment rental (lifts, scaffolds, etc.), travel expenses and per diem are required but are not included with the cost of the mural. The proposal will show the breakdown of costs.
7. MURALS WHICH REQUIRE MORE THAN 20% as LADDER WORK COST 20% MORE. Most rooms with wall murals only have about 10% of the project as ladder work. Ladder work is difficult and fatiguing.
8. Once you have received your color sketch (watercolor), proposal, and have approved the project (and booked it), any changes that need to be made must be stated before I begin painting. Many changes require different basecoats and/or prepwork for the surface. If the changes will take additional time, there will be an additional charge of $50.00 per hour (with a minimum charge of one hour). If the changes you request call for additional materials, you will be charged the retail cost for those materials in addition to the added labor cost.
9. Cost Estimates are just that - estimates. If you have a certain project in mind and just want to know the estimated cost, I will be happy to give you an approximate project cost. Once you begin moving forward with your idea, the price of the actual job will not go over what is listed on your proposal unless you make changes to material requirements or overall project (see below). Custom murals are NOT BOUGHT IN BIG BOX STORES, therefore the cost refelcts an actual artist working and not 9 people and 4 robots on an assembly line in India making the same item 500 times a day. *1* Changes made to a project's scope,(EXAMPLES: adding characters/major elements, changing main color(s), square footage, change in location, change in materials, change in technique, etc.) will incure an additional charge.
10. A project (mural) will not be scheduled until the draft and proposal are approved by you and I receive the 50% deposit up front unless other arrangements have been made.
11. Changes to the Sketch are gladly accepted. However, major or multiple changes introduced after the first two drafts are created will result in a charge of $50.00 per additional drawing. I am sure you would like to avoid additional charges. The best way to avoid extra costs is to please tell me what you want; all the small and large details, the theme or idea, colors (show me a paint chip or 2!!!), size, positioning, and anything you want matched like- placemats, fabric or toys.
12. The balance of your bill is to be paid upon completion of the project.
13. Payments can be made by cash, or check (be aware if your check bounces there will be an additional $50 fee AND I WILL NOT TAKE ANOTHER CHECK!). Right now I am not sure if I will take Paypal.
14. Furniture should be moved at least 6 feet away from the wall (surface), pictures, shelves, objects removed from the walls, and any damage to the wall must be repaired prior to my beginning the mural. You may be able to reduce the cost of your mural by applying the first basecoat yourself (not all projects can be reduced this way.) If there are additional instructions (depending on the project) you will be notified. A minimum $100 (maximum $500) fee will be charged if these conditions are not met and I must prepare the space, prior to the project's beginning.
15. Please make sure I'm aware of any surprises I should know about before I start painting. I really don't like surprises and some of the surprises I have had in the past are: no running water, lack of lighting, poor lighting, no electricity, no heat, no air, 5 flights of stairs, crowded location (lots of people/animals), no available parking, no safe place for ladders, and strange avaliable work times.
16. I love animals and have taught high school, but dogs/cats running through my paint and children with a million questions do make it more difficult to paint. If I need to entertain a child while painting there will be a $30 per hour babysitting charge added to your cost.
17. Many artists do not like being watched. I am not one of them. :-) If you want to watch me work you are welcome to (no added cost, as long as, I am not babysitting!) I am a cheerful individual and will happily lose my voice talking to you if you stay in the room.
QUICK COST GUESSING
Want a quick estimate?
Think of it this way: if you are getting only 1 color painted it is $2 a square foot and takes 5 minutes a square foot (remember this includes taping edges etc)
2 colors painted it is $4 a square foot and takes 10 minutes per foot
3 colors painted it is $6 a square foot and takes 15-20 minutes per foot
and so on.
This is NOT A PERFECT METHOD of calculating cost- but it helps figure it out.
THINK THIS IS TOO HIGH? House Painters charge an average of $350 to paint a 12 foot by 12 foot room and they don't do ANYTHING FANCY.
Think of it this way: if you are getting only 1 color painted it is $2 a square foot and takes 5 minutes a square foot (remember this includes taping edges etc)
2 colors painted it is $4 a square foot and takes 10 minutes per foot
3 colors painted it is $6 a square foot and takes 15-20 minutes per foot
and so on.
This is NOT A PERFECT METHOD of calculating cost- but it helps figure it out.
THINK THIS IS TOO HIGH? House Painters charge an average of $350 to paint a 12 foot by 12 foot room and they don't do ANYTHING FANCY.
