How Much Does a Mural Cost? A Business Owner’s Guide to Hiring a Muralist
Are you a mural artist? Our Mural Pricing 101 guide is for you!
Anyone who has been hanging around the Pandr-sphere for a while knows how strongly I feel about a custom mural’s ability to have a huge positive impact on a business. Not only can murals increase brand visibility, but they can help define brand identity, increase both website and foot traffic, give your business a boost (or even a viral moment!) on social media, and just help your business stand out in general. I’m so sure that murals are smart moves for businesses, that I wrote a whole blog post about it a few years ago!
One of many murals Pandr has painted for Athletic Brewing Co. They hired us for install only on this mural - they had the design prepped and ready to go, which saved them some money on their end!
I could talk about all the ways a business benefits from a custom mural til the cows come home, but what good is it if I don’t also tell you how to go about making it happen?
TLDR; You’re a business who wants to hire a muralist. Where do you begin?
If you’ve never worked with a muralist before, one of the first questions you’re probably asking is: How much does a mural actually cost? And like most creative projects, the answer is: it depends.
With that in mind, I’ve got a pretty good idea of what the industry standard is at this point. Let’s break it all down so you know exactly what to expect—and how to budget for a custom mural that fits your business’s vision, timeline, and space.
Why Invest in a Mural for Your Business?
Let’s start with the “why.” A custom mural isn’t just decoration—it’s an experience. It creates a memorable first impression, tells your brand story, and gives customers something they want to photograph and share (hello, free marketing).
Whether you’re launching a new brick and mortar location, refreshing an existing space, or advertising a new service or product, murals are an eye-catching and effective way to stand out in a competitive market.
Average Mural Pricing: What to Expect
Wall murals are typically priced by square footage, with 2025 rates ranging from $20 to $50 per square foot depending on a number of factors.
At Pandr, we quote each project individually, but here’s a quick breakdown to give you a ballpark:
Small feature wall (100 sq ft): $5,000
Medium wall (250 sq ft): $5,000–$12,500
Large-scale installation (500+ sq ft): $10,000+
Of course, mural pricing isn’t just about size. Artists also take into account the wall texture, design complexity, accessibility, and timeline.
Freestanding and moveable murals, for instance, are priced a little bit differently:
7’ x 7’ freestanding murals start at $7,000.
This fee includes the build and delivery of the structure (the structure breaks down into smaller pieces for easier transport and also has wheels on the feet for movement around the event)
The price here changes based on travel and additional square footage.
Do you already have a design prepped for a mural - and just need a professional to install it? If clients provide the design then they can expect to pay less, and it takes work off the artist’s plate. When a client reaches out for an installation of something they’ve already designed and scaled to the wall they have in mind, I typically charge around $20/$25 a sq ft.
If a client is looking to hire us for multiple walls or murals (or cover a large amount of square footage) we typically offer a packaged rate with a percentage off the total cost to help make the project more budget-friendly. While we can’t speak for every muralist, this pricing approach has worked well for us!
If you’re curious about how muralists calculate pricing on their end, check out this behind-the-scenes blog we wrote for fellow muralists.
What Affects the Cost of a Mural?
Let’s dig into some of the biggest factors that influence the price of a mural:
1. Wall Size & Texture
The bigger the wall, the more textured the wall, and/or the addition of a ceiling or floor design = more materials, time, and labor required. Straightforward enough.
2. Design Complexity
Is the mural a simple brand pattern or a multi-layered portrait scene? The more detailed the design, the more time it takes to draft, revise, and paint.
3. Timeline
Need it fast? Expect to pay more. Rush jobs require schedule shifts, additional team support, and often longer workdays to meet tight deadlines. If you’re on a flexible or standard timeline, muralists can typically offer a more cost-effective rate.
4. Revisions & Approvals
Most muralists (including Pandr) include 1–2 rounds of revisions in the design fee. If your company needs multiple departments or a C-suite to sign off, additional revision rounds may be necessary. This will add to the cost—since it often means more hours in design and feedback loops.
5. Travel & Location
If the mural site is outside of our local area, travel and lodging costs may be included in your quote.
6. Wall Prep & Equipment
If your wall needs priming, power-washing, or repairs before we paint (or if we need to bring in lifts or scaffolding) those costs are factored into the total quote.
7. SPECIAL MATERIALS
Want to add a UV or anti- graffiti coating to your mural? That will also be an additional fee. I typically recommend UV coating if your wall is south facing (aka, sees the sun all day, everyday). Anti-graffiti is only recommended if your city requires it, and if you’re in a very busy area. Side note: Out of the hundreds of murals I’ve painted, only five have been tagged - and it’s usually a very small area of spray paint. Typically, I’ll give my clients the paint colors I used, so they can touch up as needed. Something to consider is that once you have an anti-graffiti coating on the wall, you have to remove that if you ever repaint the wall with something different.
What’s Included in a Mural Quote from Pandr?
While I can only speak for Pandr, I think it’s safe to assume most established muralists offer packages similar to ours.
Our quotes typically include:
Initial consultation and concept development
A mood board and two design mockups per wall
Up to two rounds of revisions (extra rounds are $200/hour)
All paint, materials, and protective coatings
Scissor lift or boom lift (if needed)
Travel and site visits (if applicable)
Professional installation
Time Lapse video of install on iPhone for marketing and social media
Posting to social accounts (Instagram, Tiktok, Pinterest)
Final touch-ups and sealing (if applicable)
A fun mural for Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula, CA. Check out the inside of the block letters for a glimpse into what makes this winery “Wilson Creek.”
How to Get Started: Your First Steps
Hiring a muralist doesn’t have to feel intimidating. Here’s what we tell clients who reach out wondering how to get started:
Define your vision
What do you want the mural to say or feel like? Who is the mural for? Who is the target demographic? Is the goal of the mural a social media moment, or are you trying to cover up an eyesore? Are you trying to make the office a happier place? Get clear on the goal of your mural, and the final product will feel a lot more cohesive.
Collect inspiration
We love a good Pinterest board or moodboard.
Know your timeline and budget
Even a rough idea helps us plan better.
Reach out early
Our calendar can fill up quickly, especially in peak seasons. The minimum time required from the signing on the contract to the install is six weeks (unless the client is providing the design).
Final Thoughts: Murals Are More Than Just Paint
At the end of the day, a mural is an investment—not just in art, but in your brand’s identity, your customer experience, and the vibe of your space.
Whether you’re envisioning something bold and graphic or soft and inspiring, our team at Pandr knows how to take your ideas from concept to wall and make the process as smooth and collaborative as possible, even if your entire marketing team wants a say.
If you’re thinking about commissioning a mural for your business, we’d love to be part of it.