Help please! What to charge for painting a mural?

[kat]

I recently finished my son's room with a mural on the walls. Now that his friends have been over, I have two parents asking if I can come over and do their kids rooms with murals as well.

What I need help with is how much to charge. My son's room took about 10 days from start to finish, but that was because I had to remove 2 layers of wallpaper and patch some holes that were underneath and I didn't work on it all day either. I think if I could go into a room that's all primed & ready to go with a base coat already up, then it shouldn't take more than 4 days. It really isn't hard to do - I use colored pencils to draw in what I want & then just use foam brushes to fill it all in, and I've always made sure that my kids let me know exactly what they wanted in their rooms so it was [b]their[/b] special place.

Anyway, this is what the finished project looks like: [url]http://y42.photos.yahoo.com/bc/katc1026/lst2?.tok=bcGJm_NB7rdVL_9X&.dir=/Kids+room&.src=ph[/url]

Oh.. there is one other wall that I've brought down the sky to about midlevel & then the remainder is all chalkboard (done with Crayola's chalkboard paint).

Any ideas, comments, suggestions on what to charge?? I know some of you are remodeling - maybe you've talked to other people who do this sort of thing so you can help me. The last time I paid anyone to come do something in my house was over 15 years ago, so I'm really clueless here. :p

[jacee]

Kat:

That's really cute. I think it's really nice to see what you've done. And you're son looks like he's very proud of his room!! :D

Now, what to charge . . . I'd figure out what you think your time is worth and charge that per hour. Then, add the cost of materials (and the time it will take to purchase them). If you are going to have to design something, I'd sketch it out for the parents, but I'd charge them per hour for the sketches too.

Sketch it on the wall with colored pencils, have them look at it and okay it, then get 'er done!

Personally, I would charge 10 to 12 per hour if I were you.

Jacee

[LocaChica]

I'm of no help, I have absolutely no idea what you should charge. :(

I just came in to say GREAT JOB!! :D :)

[Vc1612]

First, I just want to say WOW, that is so nice. I wish I was that creative.
I found this for you, I don't know how much it will help, but it's an idea.
Wall murals start at $100 and up based on size and detail, typically running between $250 and $800 with $600 being average for a fairly detailed 6ft by 6ft wall mural. For those interested, you can use my Cost Estimator Worksheet. [url]http://ftp.surfree.com/artist/costs.html[/url]

This is the original link.
[url]http://ftp.surfree.com/artist[/url]

I hope this helps.
8)

[hrdlife1]

GREAT JOB!!

i'm so jealous, the best i could do with mine's rooms were scooby doo and barbie stick ups LOL!!!

what a cutie!!! ;) :D
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[Corganiacs]

Charge by the hour
Charge for the removal of old wallpaper
And charge for other labours
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[blueangeleyes]

Charge what ever you feel like making per hour and then charge for supplies. I couldn't see the pictures but based on the comments I'm sure they are wonderful.

Devon

[theresachilds]

Your hourly rate should be based on the level of complexity for each mural. If the family is looking for a couple of soccer balls and a football field then $15 an hour is fair.
If you are painting anything more complex the bare minimum is $20 and hour. My best friend just had a "starving" artist come and paint her baby room with a mural of a castle, sky, etc. and it cost $800. The room was beautiful and she thought that it was more than fair for the level of detail that was painted.

Good luck with your new business venture!