commercial + institutional mural FAQs

Licensing, Insurance & Compliance

What is a C-33 Painting Contractor license and why does it matter?

A C-33 Painting and Decorating Contractor license is issued by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). It demonstrates that the contractor has passed trade and law exams, carries state-required insurance, and meets ongoing compliance standards. Allison Kunath Design holds C-33 License #1135102. For institutional clients, hiring a C-33 licensed studio significantly reduces liability and simplifies vendor credentialing.

Do you carry general liability and workers compensation insurance?

Yes. Allison Kunath Design carries a $2 million general liability insurance policy and workers compensation coverage for all crew members at all times. A certificate of insurance is available upon request, and we can name your organization as Additionally Insured for the duration of the project.

Can you provide vendor credentials for institutional procurement processes?

Yes. We are experienced with institutional vendor credentialing requirements and can provide certificates of insurance, license verification, W-9 forms, and other documentation required by commercial developers, municipalities, universities, and healthcare organizations.

Are you familiar with California SB 345 and how it affects mural licensing?

Yes. SB 345, effective as of January 1, 2026, removed the requirement for muralists to hold a contractor license. As a result, fewer muralists are maintaining their C-33 licenses. Allison Kunath Design continues to hold and renew our C-33 license, making us one of a small number of licensed mural studios in California - a meaningful distinction for institutional clients who require contractor-grade accountability.

Has your team completed OSHA safety training?

We are in the process of completing our OSHA 30 hour training. Our team holds various safety & first aid certifications and is trained in the safe operation of aerial work platforms including scissor lifts, boom lifts, scaffolding, and swing stages. We adhere to all applicable OSHA standards on every job site.

Job Site & Installation

Can you work on an active construction site?

Yes. We are experienced working on active commercial construction sites and are comfortable coordinating with general contractors, project managers, and site supervisors. We understand that our installation is one of many complex moving pieces on a commercial project, and we take job site protocols, safety requirements, and scheduling constraints very seriously. Our team will work within your site access windows and adapt to phased construction schedules as needed.

Can you coordinate directly with our general contractor or project manager?

Yes. We regularly communicate directly with GCs, project managers, and owner representatives. We are accustomed to three-way communication between the client, the design team, and the construction team, and we understand that a smooth installation depends on clear coordination with everyone on site.

Are you comfortable working at height on a boom lift, swing stage, or scaffolding?

Yes. Our team is trained and certified in the use of scissor lifts, boom lifts, scaffolding, and swing stages. We have completed murals as high as 50 feet and as large as 5,000 square feet on a single project. We select the appropriate equipment based on your site specific access and restrictions.

Can you paint murals on difficult or unusual surfaces?

Yes. We have experience painting on drywall, concrete, brick, stucco, CMU block, wood, corrugated metal, and other common construction materials. Highly textured surfaces such as rough stucco or exposed brick require additional preparation and installation time, which is factored into our pricing. We cannot install hand-painted murals on nonporous surfaces such as glass, vinyl or certain metals, though printed wall coverings may be a viable alternative in those cases.

Can you work in an occupied building such as a hotel, hospital, or active office?

Yes. We are experienced working in occupied facilities and understand the importance of minimizing disruption to tenants, guests, patients, and staff. We use low-VOC and zero-VOC paints for interior projects in occupied spaces, and we can schedule installation during off-peak hours, overnight, or in phases to accommodate your operations.

What site access do you need during installation?

We require access to: electrical outlets, a water source and approved washout sink, a restroom, parking, and (ideally) a secure storage location for supplies and equipment throughout the project. Any site-specific access restrictions should be communicated during the inquiry phase so we can plan accordingly.

Are your exterior paints graffiti-resistant and weather-proof?

We use professional-grade exterior latex paints with built-in UV protection, rated for long-term exterior use. We don’t recommend adding a clear coat for projects that are not at risk for vandalism, as top coats can often cause more problems than they seek to prevent. (For instance: yellowing, chalky fading, chipping, and making touch ups more time consuming and difficult.) For high-vandalism areas where an anti-graffiti clear coat is required, we are happy to apply it for an additional fee. Two-part systems with a sacrificial top layer makes graffiti easier to remove without as much risk for damaging the mural beneath. We can discuss the best protection strategy for your specific site and exposure conditions.

Public Art & Municipalities

Do you have experience with community engagement or co-creation processes?

Yes. We have facilitated community engagement processes as part of public art commissions, including outreach, input sessions, and collaborative design development that incorporates feedback from local stakeholders, and community paint days. We understand that public art often requires consensus-building alongside creative development, and we approach that process with both artistic integrity and genuine care and curiosity about what will resonate with the local community.

Are you familiar with the public art RFQ and RFP process?

Yes. We have experience navigating public art commission processes, including responding to RFQs and RFPs issued by municipalities, transit authorities, and public institutions. Our clients include the City of Los Angeles, the City of Palo Alto, the City of West Hollywood and universities in the UC system. We are comfortable working within public procurement timelines and meeting the documentation requirements of publicly funded projects.

How long does a publicly funded mural project typically take?

Public art commissions typically have longer timelines than private commercial projects due to contract and approval processes, community engagement, and procurement requirements. From initial RFQ response to installation completion, most public projects range from 12-36 months. We are experienced with these timelines and structure our design and communication process accordingly.

Murals for Developers & Commercial Real Estate

How does a mural add value to a commercial real estate development?

Large-scale murals serve as visual anchors that differentiate a property in a competitive market. For mixed-use and multifamily developments, a signature mural creates a sense of identity and place that tenants connect with, photograph, share, and reference when describing where they live or work. For developers, a mural is both a design decision and a high value, long-term marketing asset.

Can you work within a phased construction schedule on residential projects?

Yes. We are accustomed to coordinating with phased construction timelines and can schedule installation to align with construction milestones, finish work, TCO or tenant move-in dates. We recommend bringing us into the project early - ideally during the design development phase - to ensure that wall specifications, surface prep requirements, and access logistics can be planned in advance.

Can you accommodate brand guidelines or a property design identity?

Yes. We take a collaborative approach to design and are experienced integrating brand colors, identity systems, and design guidelines provided by developers, architects, or interior designers. We treat brand alignment as a starting point, not a constraint, and our design process is built around iterative feedback and approval before any paint touches the wall.

What is your minimum project size for commercial work?

Our minimum for commercial mural projects is $10,000. For projects requiring overnight travel, our minimum is $15,000. Most of our commercial developer projects range from $25,000 to $150,000 depending on scope, scale, and complexity.

Murals for Architects & Interior Designers

How early in a project should we bring you in?

The earlier the better. Bringing us in during the design development or construction document phase allows us to coordinate wall specifications, surface prep requirements, and access planning before construction begins. Late-stage additions can result in surface prep complications or compressed timelines. We are happy to consult early and hold our calendar for a confirmed installation date.

Can you work from our design files or adapt an existing concept?

Yes. We take on sign-painting projects and can work from client-supplied vector design files for murals. We also offer design services to adapt an existing concept to fit a specific wall or scale.

Can you provide scaled mockups overlaid on architectural drawings or site photos?

Yes. As part of our design process, we produce polished digital mockups that show the proposed mural layered over site photography or architectural renderings. This allows clients and their design teams to visualize the final installation in context before any paint is applied.

Murals for Universities & Educational Institutions

Can you involve students or faculty in the design process?

Yes. We have experience facilitating collaborative design processes that incorporate input from students, faculty, or community members. This can take the form of structured workshops, open input sessions, digital surveys, or a co-design process where community feedback directly shapes the final artwork.

Can you work within an academic calendar and avoid disrupting classes or exams?

Yes. With enough lead time, we can schedule around your academic calendar and can work during breaks, semester transitions, or after hours to minimize disruption to students and your operations team. Timeline and access requirements are discussed during the proposal phase so installation can be planned accordingly.

Do you have experience working on active campuses?

Yes. We understand the unique operational considerations of active campuses, including pedestrian traffic, access restrictions, and the importance of maintaining a professional and unobtrusive presence during installation.

Murals for Hospitality & Hotels

Can you match our interior design palette or brand color standards?

Yes. We work closely with interior designers, brand managers, and ownership groups to ensure that mural designs align with established color palettes, material selections, aesthetic standards, and overall design intent. We can work with Pantone references, brand color specifications, or custom paint swatches to ensure consistency with your property identity.

Can you work overnight or during off-peak hours to avoid disrupting guests?

Yes. We are experienced scheduling installations around hotel operations and can work overnight, during low-occupancy periods, or in phases to avoid disrupting guests. Any scheduling requirements or access restrictions should be communicated during the proposal phase so we can plan the installation timeline accordingly.

Have you ever painted a mural in a hotel lobby?

Yes. We have completed large-scale mural installations in hotel lobbies, resort common areas, and hospitality venues. Our hospitality clients include Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the Kimpton Hotel Group, Hyatt, JW Marriott and Sheraton Hotels & Resorts. We understand the importance of brand alignment, guest experience, and working within the aesthetic standards of high-end hospitality properties.

Have you created designs for a pool, or pool-adjacent installations at resort properties?

Yes. We have completed a hand-painted mural inside a pool at a resort in Nicaragua, as well as several pool-adjacent murals in hospitality and residential environments. We always use professional-grade exterior latex paints with UV protection to ensure longevity in high-sun environments. Surface preparation and waterproofing requirements are assessed on a per-project basis.