A mural costs about $20 to $50 per square foot if you hire a professional muralist. Beginners charge $5 to $20 per square foot on average.

An experienced mural painter may charge $2,000 to $5,000 per wall for 100 square feet, but your actual cost will depend on the level of detail, how much prep work the wall needs if any, and the quality of the paint they use.

A mural is a huge painting that an artist does directly on an indoor or outdoor wall, as opposed to a canvas. Artists can paint murals on a wall in your house, the exterior of a building, or ceilings.

Painting a mural can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks, depending on the size and complexity. If it's an outside project, you'll also have to factor in the weather. Smaller projects 300 square feet or under usually take 4 days or less.

First, the mural painter will give you a rough estimate after you tell them your expected project size and scope. Then they'll give you a sketch of the design on paper and get your approval before they start. After that, they'll prepare your wall and start working on a scheduled day.

Murals sometimes increase home value if it aligns with potential buyers' preferences and taste. A high-quality mural could attract buyers who value creativity, but it could also put off people who would prefer to keep their house simple and neutral.

You can confidently choose the best mural painter for you by following these tips:

• Ask multiple artists for estimates and compare their rates.
• Read clients' reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
• Ask how much experience they have with painting murals.
• Get a detailed, written estimate before they start or draw a sketch.

Ask these questions before you hire an artist to paint your mural:

• How long have you been professionally painting murals?
• How much will this cost, including the paint?
• Will you charge a travel fee?
• Could you do a sketch of the design first? Will that cost extra?
• How much feedback can I give you?
• How long will this take?
• Does my wall need prep work? Will you do that?
• How do you handle mistakes or miscommunications?
• What kind of paint and sealant do you use?
• How long will it take for the wall to dry?
• Will you charge a deposit before you start?