Mural FAQs

Discovery
Projects start with a site visit and or virtual call to learn more about you, your space, and your vision. Following the consultation, Mikaela provides a proposal outlining scope, timeline, and investment. No design work is done until a contract is signed and a project deposit is paid.

Design Development
Mural concepts are developed through a fun, collaborative design process. Depending on the scope, this may include mood boards, color studies, sketches, and digital mockups, with revisions incorporated before final approval.

Design Installation
Once the design is approved, Mikaela comes for the fun part ~ painting!

Size of the Wall: Measure height × width for square footage to estimate painting costs.

Complexity: Simple graphic or detailed layered? More intricate designs require more time and budget.

Wall Texture & Condition: Textured surfaces need extra prep; dirty or greasy walls require cleaning before painting. Is the wall inside or outside? 

Accessibility: Is the wall easy to reach? High or tight spaces may need special equipment or extra setup time.

Design Readiness: Do you know what you want, or are you looking to develop things from scratch? 

Square Footage pricing ranges from $30/sf to $75/sf depending on design complexity, surface conditions, and access. (see below section on coverage approach)

Materials and project consumables are charged at 10% of the square footage. 

Additional fees include but are not limited to: travel, mileage, lodging, lift rental, UV / anti graffiti coating, extreme site or wall conditions, extraordinary materials and additional rounds of revisions.
Customized estimates are provided for each project, and rates may adjust over time.

Mikaela has a $3,000 minimum (simple sign painting can shift lower). 

Coverage refers to the percentage of a wall that is actually painted as part of the mural. A project might use 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% coverage depending on the space, design, and budget.

Lower coverage does not necessarily mean less impact. Artwork can be concentrated as key spot graphics, wrapped around or flowing through architectural features, or composed with intentional negative space so the mural feels fully integrated but not filling 100% coverage. 

Because murals are priced in part by square footage, adjusting the amount of coverage can  help balance financial and creative goals.

Click here to see examples of different mural coverage approaches.

Most concepts begin by hand: sketching directly on paper or in a sketchbook to explore composition, proportion, and form. From there, Mikaela works digitally in Procreate for detailed drawing and color exploration, and uses Adobe programs for layout, presentation, and final design deliverables. 

Material use is based on the specific demands of each project and space: interior vs. exterior, surface type, traffic levels, and longevity. 

Protective coatings such as UV-resistant or anti-graffiti sealers are available for projects that need added durability and are quoted separately.

Yes. Collaborating with architects, interior designers, branding agencies, and project teams is one of Mikaela’s favorite things to do. 

Depending on the project, she may be brought in to develop artwork concepts, integrate murals into the overall design vision, provide digital renderings and presentations, or execute the final installation.

Projects may be scoped as a complete design-build package or as a specialized subconsultant service integrated into a larger project team. 

Mikaela travels for the right project. Whether it's a domestic destination or international commission, she's worked with clients beyond the Bay Area and is open to projects that are a strong fit.

Reach out and let’s discuss! 

For projects that required commutes of over 1 hour and or very unpredictable traffic within a commute (hello Berkeley → Palo Alto) Accommodations closer to the project location are incorporated in the project fees to save everyone time and budget. 

• The 2-5 hours not commuting is given to painting time which reduces your project timeline.

• The 2-5 hours of client paid commuting time is typically more expensive than the price of accommodations.