How Much Does It Cost To Remove Wallpaper?

Last Updated on October 11, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Over time, existing wallpaper can become faded, damaged, dated in style, or simply ready for an update. But properly removing old wallpaper prior to painting or installing new wall treatments is often one of the most challenging and tedious steps of any room refresh or renovation project.

What key factors determine the costs of wallpaper removal, and when does DIY make financial sense versus hiring professional contractors to handle this messy process?

How Much Does It Cost To Remove Wallpaper?

The cost to remove wallpaper homeowners can expect to spend is between $300 to $1000 or more to have it professionally stripped and removed from a single room depending on the room size, wall conditions, type of wallpaper used, and other variables. In contrast, DIY removal costs between $100 and $500 per room when factoring in rental equipment, chemical solvents, adhesives, and the significant sweat equity and time investment involved.

When hiring a dedicated wallpaper removal contractor or general handyman service, average national costs typically range:

• $1 to $5 per square foot depending on simplicity or complexity factors. Basic removal around $1-2 per square foot up to $3-5 for multi-layered or delicate papers.
• Smaller rooms around $150 to $400 per roomlike powder rooms, laundry rooms, and secondary bedrooms where total square footage is limited.
• Medium rooms approximately $400 to $1000 per room for places like main bedroom suites, kitchens, living rooms, and dining spaces in average homes. Materials and time add up faster.
• Large open concept rooms $800 to $3000+ per room for great rooms, lobbies, ballrooms, or offices exceeding 500+ square feet. Labor, equipment rentals, and chemicals can be extensive.
• Hourly rates ranging $40 to $100 per hour for basic apprentice technicians up to master tradesmen with decades of intricate wallpaper removal expertise.

Always obtain 2-3 itemized quotes to compare rates for your specific rooms, square footages, and home location. Many variables adjust pricing.

According to Fixr, the average cost for wallpaper removal ranges between $650 and $950, with most homeowners spending around $740 for a typical 10x8x8-foot room. This estimate includes some repair work and assumes the wallpaper is applied to plaster walls that require minimal filling after removal.

Another source, Angi, reports that prices for wallpaper removal can range from $200 to $2,000, with an average cost of about $790. The cost per square foot typically falls between $0.60 and $3, depending on the complexity of the job and the condition of the walls.

According to an article on HomeGuide, homeowners can expect to pay between $320 and $1,200 for wallpaper removal, with costs averaging around $0.80 to $3.00 per square foot. The article emphasizes that prices can increase based on wall type and accessibility, especially if multiple layers of wallpaper or strong adhesives are involved.

A detailed overview from Airtasker suggests that typical costs for wallpaper removal range from $200 to $500. This price range reflects both labor and materials needed for effective removal, indicating that larger or more complex jobs may incur higher costs.

Why Removing Wallpaper is Necessary

Before refreshing your rooms with fresh paint, new wallpaper, or other interior design treatments, stripping existing wallpaper down the studs is usually critical for these reasons:

• Provides a clean, smooth, uniform surface for proper adhesion and visual appeal of new wall finishes. Avoid seams showing through paint.
• Prevents old wallpaper seams, graphics, textures, or colors from creating visual distractions under new paint or wall materials.
• Enables inspecting the actual wall integrity after material removal for any needed structural repairs before further decorating can occur.
• Allows proper surface preparation and sizing estimation for new wallpaper rolls during planning.

Skipping proper wallpaper removal often leads to disappointing aesthetic results, wasted time, unnecessary rework, and frustration when new upgrades fail. Do it right the first time.

Factors That Impact Wallpaper Removal Costs

Several variables affect the pricing of wallpaper removal:

• Method used– Chemical solvents, steamers, or manual dry stripping techniques all vary in labor intensity and supply costs.
• Wallpaper type and complexity– Multi-layered, delicate rice paper, or heavily textured styles prove more challenging and time-consuming to remove than basic papers.
• Room sizes and total square footage– Larger rooms naturally require more removal time, chemicals, steamer refills, and physical labor compared to small powder rooms.
• Wall substrate condition– Existing drywall damage like tears, holes, and cracks add necessary repairs after stripping wallpaper before further decorating can occur.
• DIY handyman skills vs. professional experience– A pro’s expertise shaves significant time off the process and minimizes damage risks compared to an amateur homeowner learning as they go while renting equipment.
• Regional contractor labor rates– Location impacts per hour pricing based on average wages, material availability, competition, and cost of living in each area.

You might also like our articles about the cost of tape and mud drywall, Soffit and Fascia installation, or Certapro Painters services.

Wallpaper Removal Process

Professional removal involves:

• Initial inspection of walls and type of wallpaper used
• Shipping in necessary equipment like steamers, scrapers, and ladders
• Setting up protective floor coverings
• Testing best removal method for each section – steam, solvents, or scraping
• Carefully applying steam or chemicals to loosen wallpaper for removal
• Slowly peeling away wallpaper to avoid tearing drywall or plaster
• Removing leftover adhesive residue
• Cleaning up and hauling away debris

Paying pros saves the hassle and heavy labor, giving quality results.

 Save By DIY Wallpaper Removal

With proper caution, preparation, and realistic expectations, some homeowners report successfully DIY’ing wallpaper removal for around:

• $40 to $150 per room for chemical solvents like Dif gels needed to penetrate adhesives based on square footage. Products must be used properly and require safety precautions.
• $50 to $150 per day for renting wallpaper steamers, which can add up quickly if working room-by-room for weeks on larger homes. Refilling tanks requires regular return trips to the rental facility.
• $15 to $75 per room for necessary hand tools like scrapers, brushes, sponges, trays, coveralls, goggles, and lots of drop cloths. Expenses add up quickly.
• 15 to 40 hours per room in grueling labor for first-timers to carefully apply chemicals, let penetrate completely, scrape gently, and slowly remove all layers while protecting surfaces. It demands perseverance.

In total, DIY removal can cost $200 to $600 per room but runs the risk of causing extensive wall or plaster damage if using improper techniques. Inspectors recommend budgeting at least 10% extra as a contingency for any needed repairs that may arise after DIY projects. Factor this into the total comparison when weighing DIY savings versus hiring a professional to get the job done right the first time.

Situations Increasing Removal Costs

Situations that raise costs include:

• Textured or delicate wallpaper more prone to tearing
• Wallpaper layered underneath existing materials
• Thick vinyl wallpaper resilient against steam or chemicals
• Plaster walls susceptible to crumbling or cracking during scrapes
• Wall sizes over 250 square feet requiring daily chemical or steamer refills
• Built-in bookcases or shelving blocking wall access

Avoid surprises by inspecting walls thoroughly prior to starting removal.

Additional Costs

Along with the paper removal itself, the following tasks are commonly required before resuming decorating:

• Drywall patching and repairs – $100 to $1000 or more depending on wall damage sustained during the removal process. Multiple patches can add up.
• Plaster crack repairs – Between $300 and $2000 for homes with ornamental plaster. Intricate molding damage is expensive.
• Priming stripped walls – Approximately $100 to $600 depending on square footage and primer type needed based on wall conditions. New drywall patches especially need priming.
• New interior wall paint – Around $200 to $2000+ for a full interior repaint depending on number of rooms, wall space, and paint grades selected. Fresh paint completes the transformation.

Always build healthy contingencies for these ancillary services into the total project budget from the start. Assume the existing walls hide mysteries that will require fixing after the wallpaper is gone. Discovery of damage mid-stream leads to delays and overages.

Typical All-In Cost Ranges

Based on numerous homeowner crowdsourced surveys, common pricing ranges for professional wallpaper removal fall within:

• $200 to $1000 for stripping wallpaper from one average 10×12 bedroom – Encompasses all labor, materials like steamers and solvents, and final cleanup. Represents good overall value for most homeowners.
• $1000 to $5000+ for removing wallpaper from an entire house interior – Allows refreshing all rooms with beautifully smooth blank canvases ready for repaints or new finishes. Significantly updates home interiors.
• $500 to $2000 per room for intricate parlor or dining room wallpaper removal – Specializes in delicate historic plaster or ornate rooms requiring extra care and time investment not to damage existing architectural details. Precision craftsmanship has a price.

Naturally costs rise proportionally with overall square footage and complexity. But careful selection among vetted contractors prevents overpaying, while investing a reasonable amount upfront prevents much costlier repairs later.

Final Words

Completely stripping wallpaper thoroughly before painting, installing new wall treatments, or conducting other renovations protects homeowners against many common pitfalls like poor adhesion or seams telegraphing through new finishes.

And identifying existing drywall or plaster damage during the removal process allows fixing lingering issues before they worsen and lead to exponentially more costly repairs down the road.

While sometimes tedious and time consuming, investing $300 to $1000 per room to remove wallpaper correctly provides excellent return on investment through enhanced visuals and long-lasting results that raise a home’s value.

Answers to Common Questions

Can wallpaper be removed without damage?

With the proper technique using steamers and scrapers, wallpaper can often be removed without wall damage. However, multi-layered or very delicate paper increases risks. Professionals using proper prep and care can minimize any damage risks during removal.

How long does it take a professional to remove wallpaper?

An experienced wallpaper removal technician can usually complete stripping wallpaper from a standard 10×12 foot room in approximately 3-5 hours. Larger rooms or difficult scenarios can take over 8-10 hours over a multi-day period. Ask contractors for time estimates unique to your project.

Can you reuse removed wallpaper?

Unfortunately wallpaper that has been steamed, chemically treated, and peeled off walls is rarely salvageable for reuse or resale. The removal processes lead to tearing, staining, and distortion. For best results, it’s wisest to discard old wallpaper and purchase new rolls.