Prices and Business Hints for Murals and Faux - Page 2

rbree066 · #16 09-20-2006, 08:27 AM

Hiya all,

I'm a thread surfer myself and enjoy everyone's creativity and generousity. I just wanted to mention that the prices in the chart are (probably) in Canadian dollars. I've used the chart as a guide, dividing the current exchange rate with ours. In central Wisconsin, there is no way I could get those prices....

Thank you again everyone for all of your input.

Rebecca

ashlandartist · #17 09-29-2006, 11:56 AM

There is a book out called Faux for Dough by Teresa Van De Veere Pratt. It is a very good book for starting a faux business. Below I have copied her price guide for you all to reveiw (with the exception of the Mural section which I edited to my own rates. Hers were published as $24 to $45.00/lineal or sq. ft.)

Base Price:[/ $2.00 per square foot*

2 color process - add $2/sf (base coat and 1 color)

example: $2.00/sf, base price + $2.00/sf, base coat & 1 color = $4.00 sf.

3 color process - add $1/sf (Note: for each additional color add $1/sf)

Woodwork - price per lineal foot, same rates as the price per s/f. (Base price + $1/per color/per ft.)

Stenciling - priced per lineal foot, as above adding $1/ft. per color used, plus the cost of the stencil.

Murals - $50-$125 /lineal or square foot (depending on amount of detail).

* The base price covers paint purchase and supplies, such as blue painters tape, drop cloths, paint brushes, travel time locally (some jobs may be charged additional mileage fees), and room preparation: i.e. masking windows, doors, baseboards, etc.

NOTE: At this time minimum starting price for any project is $500.00.

She also discusses finding clients, portfolio development and has sample contracts. I would highly recommend it as a helpful business tool.

Tina K · #18 09-30-2006, 11:53 PM

Hi everyone. I'm new here and also new to the painting biz. I really appreciate you posting your prices on here. I've had a difficult time finding info on this. Nobody wants to share.

Becktoria · #19 10-01-2006, 10:42 AM

Welcome Tina!

Another Arizona gal! We must be contagious!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am beginning to think that something is about to happen here in AZ...like I get a hotel project and need to bring 9 muralists on board! lol

Let me know if you need anything at all! Most of us are very willing to share herer and those that don't like to talk priced have specail reasons of their own.

I can only work for about 40-clients a year on the average. Phoenix is so gigantic that there is no way I can't help anyone needing it.

Tina K · #20 10-01-2006, 12:32 PM

Becky, Thanks for the warm welcome.

kimbrulee · #21 10-04-2006, 03:04 PM

I've been doing murals for friends, free, just so I can gain experience. I wish I read this thread before this recent job which I charged $400 for a 4.5 ft. diamter mural. It took me several days and the commute was far. I've been told by others that I didn't charge enough. Oh well. It's been a learning experience. Thanks for the post! I've learned a lot and now can be a bit more confident in my pricing.

Tina K · #22 10-04-2006, 04:24 PM

I have also done my share of underbidding.

When your new at this it's really hard to guage how long it's going to take. Live and learn, I say.

dreamz · #23 10-04-2006, 05:02 PM

altough $400 seems cheap its still better than punching a time clock!

debsn2paintn · #24 10-04-2006, 05:07 PM

Doc is so right! I have given deals to friends for the experience...nothing wrong with that...as long as you are happy.

Becktoria · #25 10-04-2006, 08:45 PM

AMEN DOC!
I still underbid at times...but I always say it's better than working as a bus boy.

WELCOME "needgrace"...happy you have joined us. We have loads of information stored in our minds so ask away.

By the way my first mural was way underbid too. Think I made $15 an hour BUT it was a great kick off for my business here in Phoenix.

ashlandartist · #26 10-05-2006, 04:13 PM

Needgrace, I just posted a "Lesson Hard Learned" in the faux finishing section. You may want to read it if you have time.

I've underbid a couple of times, but by some miracle I've had the most gracious clients. They slipped me extra. My first painting of Horses at Night took me longer than I'd anticipated and he slipped me an extra $100.00. Then my parrot mural (www.eclecticwonders.net) I charged my minimum of $500.00. She was so happy in the end she gave me $250.00 extra! However, this job had extenuating circumstances. She'd hired another artist before me and was so unhappy witht he outcome that she painted over the entire mural!!!

Every mural is ONE MORE for the ole portfolio.

Robin

kimbrulee · #27 10-05-2006, 04:23 PM

Thanks Everyone! I will read the post.

I've always been uncomfortable with charging people. Then it becomes work! I enjoy the fact that people appreciate it and it makes children smile....but the money is nice too! I hear a lot of people envy us creative people for making money by what we enjoy doing!

Becktoria · #28 10-05-2006, 09:18 PM

when I first started out I took close ups of everything so my portfolio showed more pages. Now I have 7 portfolios! hahahaha

Autumnwillow · #29 10-05-2006, 10:20 PM

Ha! I just commented to a fellow muralist today (we got to meet in person- YAY!) how I used to take pics of every little thing and close ups too to expand my very small portfolio. Now it's time to start editing... it's waaay too fat!

Ronald layman · #30 10-08-2006, 10:30 AM

What an interesting thread, I must say that the prices from both of those list seam very low. Never be afraid to charge the right amount of money. Murals go at least a 1k per day. This is a luxury trade,
Ron

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