How much does it cost to remove graffiti?

Get a free quote now

Post to find a price. It's free and only takes a minute.

Price guide

$140 - $900

low

$140

median

$380

high

$900

Low, median and high bar chart distribuiton

Last Updated on

While graffiti can be an art form or a political statement, it's also considered vandalism. Removing destructive graffiti will help restore the exterior of your home or building. This is where graffiti removal services come in! Graffiti removal usually costs around $1 to $3 per square foot, depending on the area, graffiti painting, and surface material.

Graffiti removal price list

Type of cleaning

Overall cost

Steam cleaning

$140 - $235

Dry cleaning

$155 - $380

Sandblasting

$300 - $900

a man pressure washing a wall with graffiti

Factors affecting graffiti removal costs

Several things determine the average cost of removing graffiti. The most common ones are the following:


Graffiti type

The type of graffiti determines the costs of graffiti removal. For example, spray paints come in various chemical compositions, including acrylics, alkyds, enamels, epoxies, and others. You shouldn't remove different types with the same product. Some are simple and inexpensive to remove, while others are more complex and costly. 

In any case, the technique that produces the least amount of damage to the façade is always preferred. Let an expert examine the graffiti to know how to go about the removal service!


Substrate type

The substrate also determines the average cost of graffiti removal. Is your facade, for example, built of soft bricks that can't bear tremendous pressure? Specific cleaning methods might be harmful in this circumstance.

See also: How much does brick cleaning cost?


Removal method

When it comes to cleaning services, various methods also affect graffiti removal prices. Here's how professionals remove graffiti:

  • Steam cleaning

Water is heated to a temperature of 150 degrees in this method. Steam is sprayed against the facade with high pressure, causing the graffiti on the surface to melt on its own.

  • Dry cleaning

For this method, professionals use a brush to apply both a chemical and a biological substance to the façade. A chemical reaction occurs when this compound is applied, causing the dirt to dissolve. The façade is washed with a high-pressure cleaner and water after the agent has been sprayed. If necessary, steam can be used to remove loose debris and cleaning agent residue.

  • Sandblasting

A blasting agent is sprayed on the façade at high pressure. The abrasive used can be very mild, decreasing the risk of harm to a bare minimum.


Anti-graffiti coating

If you coat your wall, future graffiti on your facade will be readily erased. The anti-graffiti coating is either semi-permanent or permanent.


Your location

Your location in the US can affect the total cost of graffiti removal. Services in large cities, like New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boston, demand higher charges. In contrast, labor costs are lower in Memphis, Oklahoma, San Antonio, and Kansas. Before booking a graffiti removal service, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is the graffiti visible to the general public?
  • Do you wish to lessen the chances of vandalism?
  • Is there much pedestrian and vehicular traffic or plant life in your location?
  • Where will the rinse water go?

Can you just paint over graffiti?

Painting over graffiti is not recommended. Most graffiti is made of dark-colored aerosol paint, which will show through light paint. It would take several layers of paint to cover it completely, and even a dark color would need numerous coats. This makes the job time-consuming and expensive, especially if the graffiti only covers a tiny portion of the surface and you have to paint layer upon layer over a wide area. 

a man removing graffiti

Post a task for graffiti removal

You're ready to post a task now that you know how much a graffiti removal service costs. Professionals in your area will contact you with offers when your task is up. To choose which service is best for you, check their profiles, ratings, and reviews. See how it works for more information on how to go about this process. Here are some details to share when posting a task for graffiti removal:

  • Your budget
  • Your location
  • Graffiti type
  • Your preferred graffiti removal method
  • Your schedule

Remember that the more details you provide, the easier it will be for your Tasker to present you with a quote. You can get the graffiti on your property cleaned with Airtasker!

Find graffiti removal service, fast

Post a task

FAQs

This method is a little risky. Bleach and other harsh cleaning chemicals can create white shadow stains, often known as salt deposits. After that, you'll need to hire another service to clean up the mess.

It's fantastic that your local government is willing to take action to erase graffiti. Simply consider how they are doing it. Is it only a matter of painting over it? Or do you just hire the cheapest folks for the job? Are they just cleaning with high pressure? Painting over it is not always the greatest solution due to dark colours showing through, and high-pressure blasting can harm some surfaces. So it's still best to work with a professional you chose based on their profile and ratings.

Related price guides

Related articles

Let's do this!

It's free and takes only a minute.