frequently asked mural questions

Murals are priced by the square foot, with discounts applied as the overall scale increases. Rates are also dependent on style/aesthetic and level of detail.

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Because I am often working on multiple projects at once, is best to allow a minimum of 4 months for the planning stage. That includes initial inquiry, contract signing, deposit, the design process, and logistical / installation coordination.

Installation typically takes between 3-14 days depending on the size of the project. It is best to start your commission well in advance of your desired completion date to reserve space in my calendar.

Rush work will be considered for an additional fee, schedule permitting.

Installations include: site assessment, surface preparations, design transfer, mural application, and touch ups.

You can learn more about the installation process here.

Please be prepared to share the following:

1. The dimensions of your wall

2. Job site location (a specific address is helpful)

3. Interior or exterior?

4. Access restrictions that may help determine what type of equipment will be necessary for installation. (Is it street level, or is there ramp access for a lift? Is it a tight space that requires scaffolding only? Are there features on the ground the necessitate the use of a swing stage?)

5. Surface material and texture

6. Themes, styles, and desired impact you have in mind

I work with top quality, professional grade interior and exterior latex paints. Low VOC paints are available for interior spaces that are already occupied.

I work with high quality, professional grade paints that come with a 25 year warranty. Benjamin Moore guarantees that paint will not blister, peel, or wear down from properly prepared and primed surfaces. Most murals will last 10-15 years, but can last even longer if it is well taken care of and the surface was properly prepared prior to installation.

Paint comes in several finishes, each offering a different benefit: matte or flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, gloss or high-gloss.

Matte paints (my preference whenever possible) provide a beautiful, consistent, and uniform finish. You’ll also have a result that won’t pick up as much glare as the sun hits it throughout the day. If you’re not highly concerned about contact with greasy fingers, go with a matte finish.

Paints with a higher sheen are more durable, and easier to wipe down which can be important for high touch, high traffic areas. Keep in mind that a higher sheen also means more visible brush strokes. Often times an eggshell or satin finish is satisfactory for an area that may get touched and rubbed by hands and shoulders (like a hallway). Semi-gloss, gloss, and high-gloss are rarely necessary for mural applications, and rarely something I advise.

*If you’re concerned about stains, moisture resistance, or the ability to scrub the wall, high-sheen paints can be used in tandem with a matte clear coat.

Since I choose to use top of the line paints that come with built in UV protection that mitigates fading over time, I do not include a clear coat. However, you can elect to include it as an add-on service. You may want to consider this if your wall is:

A) In a high traffic area that is vulnerable to vandalism, or greater general wear and tear.

B) Exposed to direct sunlight for long hours of each day. (Especially if you want your design to include high pigment, brighter colors.)

I will need access to:

1. Outlet power

2. Water & approved washout sink / drain

3. A restroom

4. Parking

5. Secure storage location for supplies and equipment throughout the duration of the project

I will make a selection based on your sites specific needs and restrictions. I am safety trained and certified in the use of various equipment, including:

1. Scissor or boom lift

2. Scaffolding

3. Swing stage

I require that the wall be properly prepped, primed, and painted with a base coat before an installation begins. Please provide access to leftover base coat paint (for touch ups), or have the specific swatch number available.

The adhesion and longevity of my installation depends entirely on the quality of the surface that I’m painting on. Therefore, in order to protect your investment it is extremely important that this step be handled professionally prior to mural installation.

*Note: If the wall was painted more than 6 months ago (or is in a high traffic or dirty area) it should be repainted fresh prior to installation.

If the wall is properly prepped and primed, I can tackle the basecoat for you. Do keep in mind that my rates will be considerably higher than a commercial contractor.

Almost! Murals can be painted on most common construction materials, including drywall, concrete, brick, wood, and more. The more texture that a wall has, the more time intensive the installation (for instance very rough stucco or brick).

Surface texture may impact the installation method and materials.

I cannot install a hand-painted mural on certain nonporous materials like glass and certain metals. However a printed wall covering may be a viable solution for these instances.

Yep!

Your project will be designed with special considerations for both interior and exterior job sites, including: Appropriate materials, installation methods and constraints, unique features to integrate or avoid, and extra precautions for delicate or high traffic areas.

Yes.

I take a collaborative approach to the design process and I’m happy to work with specific colors when they are provided at the start of a project.

The short answer: maybe.

There are a few ways to trim budget, including making use of negative space, leaning heavily on large, simplified color fields, and sticking to a more minimal design in general. I’m happy to work with you to deliver a high impact result, and will do my best to accomodate your budget constraints.

Reach out for a free quote.

Yes.

I carry a Two Million dollar general liability insurance policy at all times. I can provide a certificate of insurance or name your organization as Additionally Insured upon request.

Yes.

I am available for commissions world-wide.

I’ve worked as high as 50 feet, and covered as much as 5000 square feet on a single project.

My team and I are swing stage certified, and we love the challenge of a large wall.

I prefer to work on projects that are at least 10x10’

Smaller projects typically incur a higher price per square foot to account for fixed costs that are involved in projects of any scale.