How much does it cost to hang art in Los Angeles?
Every job is quoted two ways — hourly or per-piece — and you pay the higher of the two, so the price matches the actual work. Labour only; specialty hardware, lifts and materials are at cost + 15% unless agreed in writing first.
Standard private / collector rates
- Lead installer: $85/hr — 2-hour minimum
- Second installer: $70/hr (required for pieces over 50 lb, over 72 in, mirrors, sculpture, or any overhead work)
- Trip / callout fee within 15 miles: $95 (includes tools, ladders and standard hardware)
Per-piece "from" prices
- Simple print / photo (under 24 in, under 10 lb, drywall): from $45
- Standard canvas / framed work (24–48 in, 10–25 lb): from $85
- Large painting / mirror (48–72 in, 25–50 lb): from $165
- Oversized / heavy (over 72 in or 50–100 lb): from $295
- Wall sculpture, 30–50 lb: from $235
- Heavy or rigged sculpture (over 50 lb): from $400 — site visit first
- Salon / gallery wall (layout + hang, per wall): from $350
Minimums and the callout fee apply, so a single small piece is not a $45 job on its own — per-piece pricing pays off when several pieces are hung in one visit.
Worked example (from the pricing sheet calculator)
Private home, crew of 2, 3 hours on site, one 40 lb wall sculpture: $560 total, $280 deposit to book. That includes the stud/blocking check and rated hardware selection — a 40 lb sculpture is never a solo hang.
Wall and timing surcharges (on labour)
Plaster +15% · Brick / masonry +35% · Stone / concrete / tile +50% · High walls (10–20 ft ladder work) +20% · Salon-wall complexity +15% · Weekends / after 6pm +50%
Add-ons
Packing / soft-pack for transport $35/piece · Condition report (photo + written) $25/piece · Local transport in our Sprinter $125/trip (within 15 mi) · French cleat / security hardware supplied and fitted $45/piece + materials · Pedestal set and level $85 · Layout consult / site visit $75 flat
FAQ
Why does a heavy sculpture cost more than a painting the same size?
Weight, not size, drives the risk. A 30–50 lb wall sculpture needs two installers, a stud/blocking check and rated anchors or a cleat. It is priced from $235 per piece, and pieces over 50 lb or over $25,000 in value need a site visit before a firm quote.
Do you charge for travel?
Within 15 miles the $95 callout covers travel, tools, ladders and standard hardware. 15–30 miles adds $35; 30–60 miles adds $75 or mileage at $0.70/mi round trip, whichever was quoted in writing.
What is not included?
Structural blocking, electrical or lighting moves, patch and paint of pre-existing holes, lift or scaffold hire, custom cleat fabrication, framing and conservation — quoted separately or billed at cost + 15%.
How do I book, and what is the deposit?
Private jobs: 50% deposit books the date, balance on completion the same day. Quotes are valid 14 days. Final charge is on actual time/pieces if the scope changes on site — any increase is confirmed with you before extra work is done.
Request a Free Estimate
Call 310-773-6682 or request a free estimate — every estimate is free.