MURAL TIP #11 | How to Price a Mural

I know that pricing anything can be the most daunting part of art (or any type of freelance work) but it doesn’t have to be super complicated.

Step 1: Location

Understanding your location is important. Depending on where you live in the USA or the world will make a huge difference in the cost of murals and the pay you can expect. For instance, the same mural that costs $1,000 in Nebraska may cost $4,000 in NYC because of what people are willing to pay and what the common income is of the area.

Step 2: Experience

Taking into account how much experience you have is a major part of pricing. Obviously, if you are just starting out, your prices will not be as high as a seasoned pro, mainly because they can work more efficiently with their knowledge and experience (most likely.)

Step 3: Budget

Always ask your client if they have a budget. Knowing your client’s budget can be super helpful, though often they will not give you a budget. Try to at least get a window so you know if the talk is worth your time.

Step 4: Hourly vs. Size

Decide if you will price hourly or by size. This is completely personal preference, and if dependent on what you feel most comfortable with. I prefer to price by the square foot, but know other professional muralists who like to charge by the hour or a daily price (like $1,000 a day.)

Step 5: Estimate

A great trick I’ve found if you aren’t sure what your client is willing to pay is to send an estimate with 2 prices. The first price will have a simplified version of the mural (but still awesome) for a lower price and the higher price will be super detailed and complex. This way, they can get what they want and pay what they want.

Bonus Tip:

Consider setting a minimum price. For instance: recognize the minimum price that you are willing to put into any mural (taking into account the driving, getting products, designing time, etc.) Most likely, you won’t want to do any mural for less than $500-1000.

If you’d like additional help, sign up below for my newsletter below or check out my mural courses HERE where I have a whole section on getting paid as a muralist.