Faux finish prices are largely determined by the size of the area to be painted, the number of colors or applications involved, the quality of materials, and the degree of difficulty of the final result.

Similarly, mural prices are also influenced by their size but tend to be more dependent on the level of detail required. It's not how big an area you're painting, it's how much time you need to spend to achieve the level of realism or not that you want.

A 12' by 9' mural can take anything from a day and a half - possibly even less if you really want a very loose image - to as long as it needs, if you want a highly detailed rendering. The longest I have spent on one mural was the equivalent of 9 weeks (at 40 hrs per week) which I completed over a 6 week period. This was for a tropical themed powder room that involved walls, ceiling, door and cabinets.

Obviously this was an unusual project. And athough I've also completed several other time intensive mural and faux finishing projects, I've also faux finished columns for less than $300, average sized powder rooms for under $600 and painted murals within the same price range.

When it comes to the price you might expect to pay, buying a mural or a faux finish is much like buying anything else. If you want a Mercedes S Class you can expect to pay a lot more than if you want a Ford Focus. The difference is though, if you can only afford a Ford Focus, it will still get you from A to B - whereas if you only have a small budget for a mural or a faux finish, you may end up with something that doesn't give you the quality you want.

So is buying a mural or faux finish also like anything else in that you get what you pay for?

Well, yes and no. The bigger and more detailed the mural, the more colors and complicated a faux finish is and the more area you want covered, the more they will cost - they will take longer to produce and may require more costly materials. So in that sense, yes, you get what you pay for.

But, unlike with manufactured products, quality and finish is dependent on the skill, experience and ability of the individual artist. So the same project produced by different artists for around the same price could have a vastly different appearance and quality of finish. And the same project estimated by different artists for widely different prices could result in very little difference in appearance or quality.

To use the car analogy again, choosing an artist is a lot like choosing a mechanic. How do you know who's going to do a good job, is it a good price, and how will you tell whether they've done a good job anyway? Bottom line is, you choose someone who is recommended to you, you find someone you feel good with by trial and error, or you fall back on the manufacturer's dealership.

Similarly when choosing a mural or faux finish artist, the only way to feel comfortable with your decision, if you don't have a referral from someone you trust or you don't know someone whose work you've actually seen and admire, is to compare your options.

Do you like them; would you feel comfortable having them in your home; are they helpful; does their portfolio give you confidence in their abilities; do they take the time to understand what you're trying to achieve - to address your concerns, to discuss possibilities; and if there is a significant price differential, do they help you understand why?

Choosing a mural or faux finish artist is personal. They're going to be working in your home, possibly for some time, and unlike with many service providers, what they will be doing will be very visible and reflect on your taste and sense of style. Ultimately, while price can be an issue, there are other factors that determine value, and only you can decide which of these are important.

 Back To Top 

© Douglas Morris / FineArtDecor.com

A link to more examples of my Furniture, Paintings and Drawings