Faux Painting for Profit

Oh.. I went on a rant about this… sometimes you will be asked to do a mural painting for free… out of the goodness of your heart… Let me just be clear… don't ever… ever give away your mural or faux painting for free: 

Hi Debra! I just stumbled across your site and I love it!

Ok, so I really need some help.

I am a painter who is just starting out in the mural business. I've done a couple for myself and family, but haven't had a real client YET.

Recently, I found someone who will be opening a school for mentally handicapped children and is wanting the walls painted in all of the rooms (ie. bubbles, frogs, etc).

Since I looked at this as a way to build my portfolio I told her that I would donate my time.

Now, I'm starting to get second thoughts. I will be meeting with her in a couple of days and I know the rooms are going to be big and the work will be extensive.

How do I go about getting something out of the deal? I honestly look at it as advertising for myself and my business, but I don't want to run myself into the ground over it.    PLEASE HELP!!!

****************

And here is my rant about giving away your mural painting for free: 

No No No… you don't give away anything for free… even if they are a
non-profit group… they have money to spend.

You must present yourself professionally and present them with a
contract for the work you will be providing.. If you want to give them a
discount, because they are doing something great for the community…
great.

But… don't give a discount because you are new… or are doing it for
the advertising… or doing it because you want to build a portfolio.

The reality is… you need a contract. This protects both of you. You
will have a signed document that details exactly what you will do and
when the work should be accomplished.

The other party has a contract… so they can see exactly what you are
going to do for them and they can't ask for you to do more, unless they
pay more.

This paid contract will also cover all your expenses. Your paint, your
time, your gas…. etc.

Never ever give your mural painting for free. When I was new… I fell into this trap… and it didn't help me get one cent of paid work.

You don't have to charge a mint, just a fair amount for the work.

If they don't want to pay you… don't get depressed or discouraged. It
happens to all of us. We all have to grow a thick skin in business. It's
just business.

Move on…

If they do want you to work… contact the local newspaper immediately
and talk to someone in the lifestyle section or business section… a
reporter is best. Tell them what you are up too, and would they like to
come take some pictures for a story! Don't wait until the work is done
and the business is open. Then that day care business will be the new
story and you won't be.

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Technorati Tags: mural painting, painting for free, small business profit, business to make money

Write back if you need more help about mural painting for free.

Got a great email a while ago… and thought I would share:

My friend Dawn Papandrea-Khan is an artist and decorative painter out of Putnam County & Westchester County, NY. She does exceptional Faux Painting and Murals. This one is for a big— little challenge. Check out this Green Faux Paint Bathroom.

Dawn writes: 

"I have to say that this project was one of my biggest challenges yet.  It was a very small space.  I felt like I was actually getting claustrophobic at times.  It was extremely difficult to maneuver my ladder.  At points I gave up on the ladder and just stood on the counter top, until I fell off and almost broke my neck…. 

So, now three and a half weeks later, I have finally completed this wonderful project.  By the way, It would've only taken 2 and a half weeks, if my client hadn't gotten the flu midstream.  I never got it, thank God!

The color selection for the woodwork was not my idea, though I love how it came out in the end. 

The client had the bathroom faux finished over 15 years ago and they wanted it re-done… but exactly the same as they had it (same colors and everything)  So, I had to paint over the existing faux finish and mimic what they had previously.  I added my own personal touch of course and the clients love it, so that is all that really matters anyway."
 

Check out her other murals including this Mermaid Underwater Mural

 Be sure to let us know if you like the Green Faux Paint Bathroom

Oh… the questions I get in my inbox. Pricing is always a subject of great concern and debate. 

Should faux painting a tray ceiling cost more than creating a faux painting technique on a wall?

Hi,

I have recently been asked to do a HUGE paint project for a family member.

I have never done one this big and need some help on how to bid it fairly.

It is an old church house that is being remade into a  home.

The job I am doing is a 17 foot tall wall that is approx 40 feet long. It has 3 stained glass windows that take up aprox. 150 sq feet.

I  am also going to do the ceiling which are tray ceilings. Each tray is  10ft sq. and there are aprox 10 of them. They are 17 feet off the floor. 

I am doing a faux painting technique I created that resembles Belagio. I have completed the walls but am now moving onto the ceilings.

Would you price more for the ceilings than the walls due to the difficulty involved?  Any  suggestions on this matter is greatly appreciated!

What a huge job! I hope the trade is fair for both parties.

I always charged more for ceilings.  You will be using a very tall
ladder (not suggested) or scaffolding.

It takes more time to do a square foot of ceiling than a square foot of
wall. It's all logistics… and a literal pain in the neck.

If the technique is the same for the walls and the ceiling… then you
have a basis to price the ceiling.

I never charged double for ceilings.  I usually charged 1.33 times.

What that means is… if you know how much you actually charged for each
square foot for the walls… Then you take that figure and Times "x" it
by 1 and 1/3 or 1.33 to get the figure for a square foot for the
ceiling.

Now… I'm not going into anymore math… as it's not my strong point.

But… sometimes pricing is by gut instinct just as much as a pricing
structure.

Hope this is somewhat helpful… Debra

Good Luck in your quest for estimating faux painting a tray ceiling. 

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