Here is some information to help answer the question of how much it will cost, or how long it will take, to hang your pictures, including paintings, prints, photos, and posters. (If you need to have a mirror hung, please pay particular attention to item 12 on this page.)
Start by learning my current hourly rate which can be found on the “Rates” page of this website. Also note the minimum charge of 1, 2, or 3 hours depending on your zip code.
Professionally hanging pictures which are all SMALL to MEDIUM-SIZED (up to about 4 square feet, such as 24″ x 24″) can sometimes be done at the rate of about 6-7 per hour without an assistant (that’s about 8 to 9 minutes per picture). BUT EXPECT IT TO TAKE LONGER WHEN ANY OF THESE FACTORS ARE PRESENT:
- LARGE OR HEAVY PICTURES
In general, a larger or heavier picture takes longer to hang than a small or lighter picture. Also, an assistant is sometimes needed for these so the hourly rate may be higher, as discussed on my rates page.
- PICTURES GOING HIGH ON A WALL
Everything required to hang a picture which cannot be done with the installer’s feet flat on the floor takes longer. That includes use of a ladder, stepstool, scaffold, or standing on such things as a bed or countertop. Depending on the situation, it can take just a few extra minutes or much, much longer.
- PICTURES OVER STAIRS
A small or medium-sized picture being hung at approximately eye level over stairs might take just a small amount of extra time to hang it, while hanging multiple pictures over stairs requires additional planning time for aesthetic concerns (primarily, hanging the items to match or complement the slope of your stairway). Large pictures, or pictures to be hung HIGH over stairs, require special ladder equipment and can add considerable time, and usually requires an assistant.
- EXTRA PLANNING OR DECISION TIME
While I am happy to assist with the design/layout of pictures prior to hanging, this does require extra time. The more you have decided on placement before I arrive, or the faster you can make decisions when I’m there, the faster I can hang the pictures.
- PICTURE OR ITEM LACKS AN ADEQUATE HANGING SYSTEM, OR REQUIRES A SPECIAL HANGING SYSTEM
Additional time is needed when I must add or replace the hanging system (such as D-rings and/or wire) on the back of a picture. Additional time may also be required when a special hanging system such as a track or cleat is to be used. Some items I am asked to hang may not have originally been made to hang, so a custom solution is needed. This is true of some masks, plates, and items being repurposed as wall sculptures.
- CLOSE ALIGNMENT OF PICTURES, OR A SPECIFIC GROUPING PATTERN
Pictures which need to be precisely aligned with other pictures, or other items, may require extra time to hang. Pictures which need to be arranged together in a specific pattern may require extra time to hang.
- MOVING FURNITURE, BOXES, OR OTHER ITEMS
When things must be moved out of the way in order to hang the picture, additional time may be required.
- WALLS WHICH ARE DIFFICULT TO PENETRATE; OR LATH-AND-PLASTER WALLS
Most residential walls are constructed of drywall over wood studs. But walls made of or covered with concrete, brick, stucco, tile, metal, or other very hard materials usually require more time to work on. Also, many older homes have lath-and-plaster construction, which increases the difficulty in hanging pictures and usually takes more time.
- REMOVING PACKING MATERIALS (uncrating, or removing bubble wrap, shrink wrap, cardboard, etc.)
When the picture is new from the gallery or store, or has just come from the frame shop or storage or a move to your new home, it is often either in a crate or wrapped with cushioning materials or other protective materials. To save billable time, you may wish to have all pictures completely unpacked or unwrapped before I arrive.
- WALLS WHICH ARE DIFFICULT TO GET TO
Often this is because a piece of very heavy furniture, or a fixture, cannot be moved out of the way, requiring additional effort to hang the picture. Some common examples in homes are pianos and glass desks. In offices it is often cubicles.
- FRAGILITY OR DAMAGE TO THE PICTURE OR FRAME
When a picture is particularly fragile, extra caution must be taken to hang it. The same is true when a frame has structural damage.
- MIRRORS, or PHOTOS ON ALUMINUM OR PLEXIGLAS, or WALL SCULPTURES, or TEXTILES, or UNUSUAL PIECES
These items may require additional preparation or hanging time. For example, a mirror is usually MUCH heavier than a similarly-sized painting, print, or photo, and therefore requires greater caution in both the handling and the method of hanging. (More information about hanging mirrors can be found here.)
- CHILDPROOFING, ANTI-THEFT, OR OTHER SECURITY MEASURES
Depending on your needs, this can require anywhere from no additional time (but special hardware) to about 20-30 additional minutes per picture. IF YOU KNOW YOUR ART NEEDS ONE OF THESE, PLEASE TELL ME BEFORE THE VISIT SO I CAN MAKE SURE I HAVE THE PROPER HARDWARE.
- WALLS WHICH HAVE TO BE CLEARED OF OTHER ITEMS
If other art, or old hanging hardware, or other items need to be removed from a wall before I can hang the new art, additional time may be required.
15. LARGER HOMES
Each additional room usually requires additional planning time; that is, the layout/design process typically begins anew with each room. As well, it takes a few minutes to move tools and supplies from one room to the next.