Pricing a mural?

[Karin Wells]

I'm bidding on painting a historical mural in oils on canvas to be applied to a wall when it is finished. Unfortunately no size or final location has yet been specified, but the client wants a "price" anyhow.

Here's my problem: I can somehow figure a "square inch" or a "square foot" price, but this could get dicey because if the mural is really large, I'll need to find and rent a larger temporary studio space somewhere. I may even need to hire some assistants.

If this happens, I'll also need scaffolding. I imagine that shipping could be tough (but not impossible). I may also have to travel sometimes to do special research and of course, investigate the physical space where the mural will eventually be.

Has anyone had any experience with this? My life would be on "hold" for awhile and all other work would have to take a back seat for at least a year. I imagine that I would lose some work by doing this.

How in the heck do I come up with a price that would include everything that I may need to produce this work?

Although it sounds a little cheesy, can I give the client some extra "tack-on extra prices" if some problem arises that I cannot anticipate? Or do I take a wild guess and perhaps price myself out of the market?

Despite the problems involved, I would welcome the challenge this project presents.