Picture hanging: what to know

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

What picture hanging is

Picture hanging measures and marks a layout, uses the right hooks, anchors or rails for each frame's weight, and levels art, mirrors and gallery walls without damaging the wall more than needed. People hire it when the gallery layout is hard to plan, the frames are heavy, or the walls are plaster or tile.

Signs you need it

  • You have a gallery wall to plan, and the spacing and centering are hard to get right alone
  • The frames are heavy, glass-fronted or oversized, and need proper wall fixings
  • The walls are plaster, brick or tile, which do not take a standard nail or hook
  • Pictures you hung before tilt, sag or fall
  • You are moving in and want art, mirrors and shelves hung in one visit

What the pro does

  • Lay out the frames on the floor or on paper, and agree the layout with the owner before marking the wall
  • Measure and mark the hanging points, checking for studs, wires and pipes
  • Choose the hook, anchor or rail for each frame's weight and the wall type
  • Set each hook or anchor, checking that it holds before the frame goes on
  • Hang each frame, level it, and adjust the spacing to match the layout
  • Clean up the marks and show the owner how to add or move a frame without big damage

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Every job is different, so we do not publish prices.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.

  • Number of frames and the size of the layout
  • Weight of each frame, and whether it is glass-fronted or framed with heavy materials
  • Wall type, such as drywall, plaster, brick, tile or wood paneling
  • Height of the hanging points, including high ceilings and stairway walls
  • Whether a rail system or picture ledge is installed
  • Patching needed if the owner wants the old holes filled

What a written quote should spell out

  • The number of frames and the layout approach, such as grid, salon or single line
  • Hooks, anchors and rails, listed by type and quantity
  • Any rail or picture ledge system, listed separately
  • Patching and touch-up of old holes, if included
  • Clean-up of marks and dust, shown as its own line
  • Warranty on the hanging work, and how a frame that falls is handled

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Can you help me plan the layout before you mark the wall?
  • What hooks do you use for heavy frames on my wall type?
  • Will you find the studs and check for wires before you drill?
  • Can you hang the frames level, and how do you check?
  • Will I be able to move a frame later without big holes?
  • Do you patch the holes if I move things?
  • What warranty covers the hanging work?

Red flags

  • They hang heavy frames on hooks rated for light pictures
  • They drill into the wall without checking for wires or pipes
  • They leave frames crooked and say they are level
  • They mark the wall before the customer approves the layout
  • They do not clean up the marks and dust

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can lay out the frames on the floor, take the measurements, and choose hooks rated for each frame's weight. Check for wires and pipes before drilling, and use a stud finder for heavy pieces. Call a pro for heavy or large mirrors, plaster or tile walls, and a gallery layout that needs help with spacing.

Licenses and permits

Picture hanging is not commonly a licensed trade and usually needs no permit. If a spot may have wiring or pipes behind it, or the job means cutting into a wall, a licensed trade should check first. Check with your state or local licensing agency if the work goes beyond hanging.

Picture hanging questions

How do I know what hook to use?

Check the frame's weight, then match a hook rated for that weight and for your wall type. Heavy frames need anchors or a rail, and plaster and tile need special fixings.

How do I hang a gallery wall without measuring every frame?

Lay the frames on the floor first, mark the spacing with painter's tape on the wall, and step back to check. A pro can help you set the layout before any holes are made.

Why does my frame keep tilting?

Tilting usually means the hook is set off-center, the wire is the wrong length, or the hook has pulled loose. Adjust the wire and check the hook before you add a second hook for support.

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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