Mural painting: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What mural painting is

Mural painting designs and paints artwork directly onto a wall, from a child's room scene to a commercial feature wall. People need one when they want a unique focal point that paint or paper cannot give, and they need the artist to plan the wall, the colors and the sealing before the work begins.

Signs you need it

  • The room needs a focal point, and a single wall could carry a scene, a pattern or a landscape
  • You want a custom design that matches the furniture, the colors and the theme of a child's room
  • A commercial space needs a branded or artistic feature wall that will be seen by many people
  • The wall is in good condition, with no moisture, flaking paint or cracks that would show through
  • You want an outdoor or covered mural with a sealer that holds up to weather and fading

What the pro does

  • Measure the wall, check its surface and condition, and mark any outlets, switches or fixtures that the design must work around
  • Prime the wall with a suitable base coat, and paint the background color in an even, low-streak finish
  • Sketch the design to scale and transfer the outline to the wall with a grid, projector or chalk
  • Block in the large shapes first, then add details, shadows and highlights in layers
  • Let the paint cure, then apply a clear sealer or varnish matched to the surface and the use of the room
  • Walk the finished mural with you in the room light, and touch up any spots that need it

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Wall size, height and the number of walls included in the design
  • How detailed the design is, with fine lines, realistic shading and many colors taking more time
  • Whether the design is drawn from a sketch you provide or is created from scratch by the artist
  • Surface type, such as drywall, plaster, brick or exterior block, each needing a different base and paint
  • Protective sealer type chosen, and whether the mural is indoors, outdoors or in a wet area
  • Access, including scaffolding or lifts for high walls and the time spent moving equipment

What a written quote should spell out

  • Wall size and the number of walls, with the surface type named
  • Design process, including the number of sketch rounds included and what triggers extra rounds
  • Paint brand and type, with the color list and the sheen of the sealer
  • Number of drafts and the review step before painting starts
  • Sealer product, its finish and its rated use, plus the cure time before the room is used

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you transfer the design to the wall, and will the scale be correct?
  • What paint and sealer do you use, and will they stay vivid in sunlight or wet areas?
  • How many rounds of sketches are included, and how long does each round take?
  • What do you do about outlets, switches and the wall texture in the design?
  • How long will the mural take, and what happens if the room is needed during the work?
  • Can you show me a mural you painted on a wall with a similar surface and use?

Red flags

  • The pro starts painting without a scaled sketch approved by the customer
  • The pro does not seal the mural, or says any paint will hold up on a wall that gets wet
  • The pro paints over a damp or flaking wall with no repair plan
  • The pro promises a photographic likeness without showing a test panel first

What you can do yourself

Painting a simple mural with stencils, a grid and a small palette is a reasonable project for a homeowner on an interior wall that is sound and smooth. A large mural on an exterior wall, a wall with moisture or cracks, or a commercial space should be planned and painted by an experienced muralist, because surface failure and sealer errors are hard to fix once the paint is set.

Licenses and permits

Mural painting commonly does not need a license, but outdoor murals, commercial walls and any work on a building surface may need a permit or approval. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department before you start a large or outdoor mural.

Mural painting questions

Can a mural go on a child's bedroom wall?

Yes, and the paint used should be a low-odor, low-VOC product, with the room ventilated during and after the work. Ask the muralist which paint and sealer they use and how long the room should stay closed.

How long does a mural last?

Interior murals with a good sealer last for years, while outdoor murals fade faster in sun and rain. Ask the muralist what sealer they use and how often it should be refreshed.

Can a mural be painted over later?

Yes, with a primer that bonds to the sealed surface. Ask the muralist to note the paint and sealer used so the next painter knows what is on the wall.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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