After your initial enquiry, the first step would usually be me coming out to take photos and measure up your wall.    (Alternatively you can send me clear photos of the wall and measurements, although it's always better if I can see it in person if possible, especially outdoor walls).

At this stage we will also have a chat through your overall ideas for the design, and I can give you a rough price estimate - or you can let me know your budget and I can design something to fit it (simple designs are quicker and cheaper, a higher budget can accommodate more complexity in the artwork).

I don't have a rate card as such - pricing depends on the size and current condition of the surface to be painted, the complexity of the design and the cost of materials, so I tend to quote on a job by job basis - but you can rest assured that my rates are competitive, with an entry level mural (eg a child's bedroom wall, one large focal character or animal image on a plain or simple background, no more than one day's work) costing £300-£400 including a custom design and all materials.  And subsequent days of a multi day job run a little cheaper.  

If you can send me some images or colours that sum up the overall feeling you would like your mural to convey, then I can use these to pull together a mood board for inspiration.  

I won't directly copy any of the imagery you send me (unless, for example, you want to me to paint something specific - like a business logo - that you have the copyright for) - but it is really helpful to see what you like (and equally importantly what you don't like!) so I can design something for you that you will love to have on your wall.

(Useful as this step is, if you don't have any relevant imagery, I can work just from a verbal brief )

When you have signed off the design and are happy to proceed, I can then make a final evaluation of how long the job will take and price up the materials, so I can confirm your price. 

I'm pretty good at estimating these things up front, so it is very rare for this final price to be different to the rough estimate I quoted back when we first spoke, unless the scope of the job has changed significantly.  So there shouldn't be any nasty surprises here.

When the time comes to start painting, I will first prep the surface if necessary (eg a raw rendered wall will need a couple of coats of masonry paint, a van will need all its windows etc covered and potentially a light sand and a coat of primer, and so on) - and then I will usually paint a "doodle grid" over part or all of the surface to be painted.  

This looks like a total mess, I know, but don't worry!!  It is simply a technique to generate reference points to transfer the design up onto the wall maintaining perspective and accuracy, and I promise that none of it will be visible in the final mural!

On some jobs where suitable I might use a projector instead of the doodle grid - or sometimes I'll go freehand - whatever is the best approach to realise your specific design.

Finally we get to the fun part!  Painting the wall an element at a time, from the background to the foreground, bringing it to life. Like a giant version of those meditative colouring books that were all the rage 10 years ago :).  

Once the job is completed, I will invoice you for the remainder of your outstanding payment, minus your original deposit amount.  And you then get to enjoy your new mural for years to come.