How much does a mural cost? There are a number of factors that determine the price of a mural. Much like renovating a kitchen, there is a price range from the most fancy features to the practical and affordable options. Let me unpack the main costs to consider and I’ll also show you a range of murals that I’ve painted and their budget.
Mural painted by Leah Grant in 2018. TOTAL BUDGET = $1,500
(Mural was painted for a street party event and was meant to be painted over after the event. It is still there 5 years later. All paints used were supplied by Dulux.)
How experienced is the artist?
You must consider the experience of the artist when receiving a quote. For an artist about to paint their first ever mural, they are going to be able to charge a lower rate, compared to a highly experienced artist. I have now been painting murals for over 8 years and doing this artist gig full-time for two years. Every single mural I paint, I have a new challenge and learn and develop. So it’s only natural that with that, my prices gradually increase.
When an artist is quoting you for a mural, they will need to consider the artist fee. What is their daily rate for painting and how many days will it take to complete the project? I base my prices on the recommendation of NAVA (National Association for Visual Arts). They have published a Code of Practice for Visual Arts, Craft and Design. It’s brilliant! Such a fabulous resource. They outline what artists should be paid and have a breakdown for years of experience. Check out their breakdown for public art projects here.
They recommend that at a minimum, concept designs should cost $500 for a $5,000 project. For a project with a budget of $5,000 the artist fee should be at least 45% of that. The rest is in materials costs.
The bigger the budget, the lower the percentage for the artist fee. For a $20,000 project, the artist fee is 30% of that. That allows $6,000 for the artist and $34,000 in hire fees, and materials.
Mural painted by Leah Grant in 2021. TOTAL BUDGET = $5,250
What is the size of the wall?
Calculating the square meter of the wall will give you an indication of the price to paint a mural. However, every project is different and needs to be quoted individually.
For example, a wall with lots of windows and doors might mean less surface area, but it is actually more time-consuming to paint. To give you a rough idea, I have a price guide.
When I’m quoting a project at ground level, it usually ranges between $200 - $230 per square meter. That is for a standard wall, that doesn’t require priming.
Mural painted by Leah Grant in 2023. TOTAL BUDGET = $4,650
What is the mural surface?
What is the wall made from? Is it brick, concrete, Bessar block or corrugated iron? The surface will determine the technique and type of materials and also amount of materials required.
Generally brick is faster to paint and therefore I don’t charge as much as corrugate iron. The reason is, that corrugated iron actually has more surface area and takes longer to install a mural because of the bumpy surface. Brush work and roller is almost impossible so the main way I paint on fences and sheds is a spray gun and aerosol. These materials cost more and contribute to the cost of the mural.
Making the design crisp and detailed on a corrugated surface is more time-consuming than working on an almost flat, brick or Bessar wall. In saying that, there’s always an exception!
Raw brick, raw Bessar blocks and raw concrete are thirsty!
They are very absorbent and require priming and undercoating to extend the life of the mural and make the colour bold and bright.
Mural painted by Leah Grant in 2016. TOTAL BUDGET = $1,450
(All paints supplied by Dulux, Street Art Explosion by Adelaide Fringe supplied the scissor lift, licences and permits)
How high is the wall?
You might think we already covered this when we were talking about the size of the wall. But it can actually have a big impact on the project budget.
A wall that is 3m high x 7m long can all be painted from the ground. Whereas a wall that is 7m high and 3m wide is going to need ladders, scaffolding and/or a scissor lift.
Not only do you need to consider the hire costs, but it is more physical for the artist and takes longer to paint, compared to being grounded. That being said, the payoff is always worth it! Height has such an incredible impact.
I love painting high!
Mural painted by Leah Grant in 2022. TOTAL BUDGET = $5,700
(All paints supplied by Dulux)
Where is the mural located?
The location of the mural is important to consider. If the artist has to travel each day or stay overnight, this must be taken into consideration. I am currently based in Adelaide, South Australia, and am happy to paint Australia-wide.
For projects more than 2 hours from my studio, I require an allowance for food, accommodation and petrol. That is around $350 per night. Internationally flights and hire car also need to be considered.
Mural painted by Leah Grant and school students in 2022. TOTAL BUDGET = $4,200
(Community grant received for this project)
What is the design of the mural?
There are ways of making a dynamic design without charging through the roof. The design of the mural can be determined based on the budget if required. Options such as increased negative space, incorporating some of the existing wall surface into the design, or using a limited colour pallet can bring the cost of the mural lower.
This is something that I like to discuss in my meetings with clients and see where their vision is for the wall.
So, where does that leave you?
Are you looking for an artist but don’t know how much it’s going to cost?
My advice is for the artist and client to be upfront with their budget and vision. We can shy away from talking about money, but it’s an important factor in making public art a sustainable art practice. I don’t want to see artists struggling to survive and I also don’t want clients ripped off! Open communication about budget, timeframe, costs, and designs is needed.
Remember that if being an artist is their full-time gig, they will also be required to have Public Liability Insurance, pay tax, and pay GST, not to mention the cost of running a business, website and marketing. So, their quote might appear pricey, but when you break it down, the artist deserves to be paid for their time and expertise. After all, they are adding to the community through their talent.
Mural painted by Leah Grant in 2021. TOTAL BUDGET = $28,550
Mural painted by Leah Grant in 2021. TOTAL BUDGET = $3,900
Mural painted by Leah Grant in 2023 for City of Port Adelaide Enfield, EOI set budget. TOTAL BUDGET = $8,500