Here’s a question every mural buyer faces: “Can I just do this myself?”
Sometimes, absolutely yes. Sometimes, absolutely not. The difference comes down to three things — size, panels, and your patience. Let’s find where you land.
The 30-Second Decision
DIY is fine if:
- The sticker is a single piece under ~1 meter wide
- It goes on a smooth, clean surface (painted wall, glass, tiles)
- A slightly imperfect result wouldn’t ruin your week
Hire a pro if:
- The design covers a whole wall or comes in multiple panels
- The wall has obstacles — windows, sockets, aircon units
- The material is textured or heavy (wallpaper-style murals)
- It’s for a business, and customers will judge the seams
What DIY Actually Looks Like
Good news: applying a single wall sticker uses the same skills as applying a laptop sticker, just bigger. The full method — clean, position with masking tape hinge, peel, squeegee from the center out — is covered in our guide on how to apply vinyl stickers bubble-free.
For a sticker under a meter, expect 10–20 minutes including prep. You’ll need:
- A clean cloth and mild soapy water (then a full dry)
- Masking tape for positioning
- A squeegee or old credit card
- A pin for any stubborn bubbles
What Professionals Actually Do
A professional mural installation is a different sport. On install day, a specialist will typically:
- Inspect the wall — filling nail holes, sanding rough spots, priming if needed
- Dry-lay the panels — arranging them on the floor to confirm the sequence
- Set a level starting line — because the first panel determines everything after it
- Hang panel by panel — overlapping seams, matching patterns across the joins
- Cut around obstacles — sockets, switches, window frames, with clean edges
- Roll and finish seams — so the joins disappear
- Clean up and aftercare briefing — what to clean with, what to avoid
For a standard living-room wall, expect the whole visit to take 2–4 hours.
What Does Installation Cost?
Professional installation is usually priced per square meter or as a flat project fee, on top of the printing cost. It’s not cheap — but compare it against the cost of a ruined 4-meter print and a lost weekend, and it often wins.
Shops with transparent pricing will show installation as a separate line item. If a quote bundles everything with no breakdown, ask.
Who Installs in Metro Manila?
Most print shops that sell custom murals offer installation through their own teams, primarily covering:
- Metro Manila — all cities, usually with no travel fee
- Nearby provinces — Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan — usually possible with a travel fee
- Everywhere else — print-and-ship is standard; installation depends on whether they partner with a local installer
If you’re outside Metro Manila, ask upfront. “Do you install in my area, or print-and-ship only?” saves everyone time.
The Middle Option: DIY With a Friend
For wall stickers between 1 and 2 meters, there’s a middle path: do it yourself, but with a helper. One person holds the top edge aligned; the other works the squeegee downward. It halves the hardest part — keeping the sticker straight while it sticks.
Bottom Line
Small decal → DIY, you already have the skills.
Full wall mural → pro, the seams will betray you.
Anything in between → your call, but borrow a friend.
And before any of this, make sure you’ve chosen the right product for your wall. Our wall mural vs. wall sticker guide walks through the decision, and knowing how large format printing works helps you understand what you’re paying installers to handle.
👉 Planning a big wall? Get a free wall mural quote with installation shown as a separate line — or order a custom wall mural in Manila and ask about their installation coverage for your area.