Being a full-time mural artist for over 30 years, there are many things I had to learn on my own. There were not classes, books or co-workers I could learn from when I started my company in the late 80’s. I had to build everything “old school”. Advertising was through the yellow pages, residential mailers, or word of mouth. Marketing was done with my portfolio in hand and walking from business to business soliciting for work. Bookkeeping was done by hand on my trusty ledger to track expenses and income. When the internet was born and computers became more mainstream, these tasks were adjusted and updated.
It is always so refreshing to me when I see people making a living in Mural Arts. This career has really grown in the last 30 years. I’ve had many muralists contact me with many different questions about this career. What paints do I use? Do I offer warranties? How do I complete preliminary designs? What is the best way to advertise? Is it possible to make a living on just mural projects? Although, there is one question I get asked the most:
How do you bid your mural projects?
Therefore, that is the question I will do my best to answer in this article.
How To Bid Mural Projects
If you're a mural artist looking to master the art of bidding on a mural project, you're not alone. I’ve been working as a mural artist since the late 1980s, and over the years, I’ve made a lot of mistakes, especially when it comes to estimating costs and properly pricing each project. I learned how to bid by trial and error. The key to successfully bid a mural project is understanding mural pricing and how to calculate your costs accurately. In this article, I'll share the lessons I've learned about how to bid for a mural project that allows you to cover your expenses, make a profit, and build a sustainable career.
Bidding Murals Based on Square Footage: The Basics
In the early days, I learned that the best way to price most mural projects was based on the square footage of the mural. This approach allowed me to accurately calculate how much I needed to charge for materials, labor, and other costs based on the size of the wall, the surface being painted, and the detail of the theme. It’s a simple method that works for most projects.
When bidding, I always include time and costs for preliminary designs (usually up to 3 concepts), travel (flights, hotel, car rental), equipment rentals (scaffolding, boom lifts), and supplies (paint, brushes, tape, drop cloths, etc). I also include a limited warranty. My limited warranty is anywhere from 10-20 years, depending on whether the mural is indoor, outdoor, if it’s in a high-traffic area, sun exposure, etc. As of today, my minimum square foot price is $20.00 per square foot, but I started at less than $10.00. This price changes according to theme, detail, surface, and difficulty getting to the wall area, to name a few factors. Be fair to yourself and be fair to your client.
The "Daily Rate" Method for Complex Mural Projects
While bidding by square footage works for most projects, it’s not always the best approach for more complex murals. Some murals have intricate shapes, require custom materials, or are located in hard-to-reach places, making it difficult to estimate costs accurately by the square foot. In those cases, I switched to a daily rate. This allows you to set a price based on how much time you expect the mural to take, and it helps you account for unexpected complications, such as weather delays or additional time spent on design revisions. Over the years, I’ve figured out what I need to charge per day to cover my overhead and still make a profit. Make sure to have two “daily rate” costs - one for local projects and one for projects you will travel to get to.
Key Costs to Consider When Bidding a Mural Project
There are several costs to consider when learning how to price a mural correctly. Here’s a breakdown of the most important expenses to factor in when you’re estimating your bid:
Preliminary Design Fees: I offer up to 3 initial design concepts (additional charge for more).
Travel Costs: Airfare, lodging, car rental, meals, and other travel-related expenses.
Rental Equipment: Scaffolding, boom lifts, ladders, compressors, and other tools or machinery.
Labor: Your own labor, as well as any assistants or crew you hire.
Supplies: Paint, brushes, rollers, drop cloths, and protective gear, etc.
Shipping: If you need to ship materials or the mural itself (for canvas or panels).
Canvas/Panel: If your mural is on canvas or another material instead of directly on a wall.
Taxes: State or local taxes and fees related to your mural.
Insurance: Liability insurance or any other necessary coverage.
Adjusting Your Bid for Unpredictable Factors
One of the hardest lessons I learned in the early days was that unpredictable factors can impact the final cost of a mural project. Factors like weather delays, unforeseen site conditions, or changes in design can all influence how much time and materials a project requires. To protect yourself, make sure your contract includes change fees, provisions for unforeseen changes, or extra/additional work. Be super detailed when writing your contracts. Don’t be afraid to revisit your daily rate or square footage pricing if the project takes longer than expected.
How to Make a Living as a Mural Artist
Finally, I want to leave you with a message of encouragement. I raised a family of five on a freelance artist’s income, despite the ups and downs that come with a fluctuating market. It hasn’t always been easy, but by learning from my mistakes and adjusting my approach, I’ve been able to sustain a long and fulfilling career in mural painting since 1986. If you’re serious about making a living in this field, you can absolutely do it—perseverance, good pricing, integrity, skill, and a willingness to adapt are key. Keep refining your bids, learn from every project, and remember that there’s always room to grow in this industry. It is absolutely possible to make money as a mural artist!
Transform The World, One Brushstroke At A Time!