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myWallpaper Removal Cost Calculator
Removing wallpaper can be tricky and time-consuming, but it is often a necessary task when redecorating or renovating a property. Whether you're updating the wallpaper or want a completely different look for your room, stripping existing wallpaper is frequently the first step.
There are many factors which will impact the final cost of wallpaper removal, such as wallpaper type, room size, the condition of the walls and local labour rates. Our cost calculator will help you price up how much this job will cost, for individual rooms or an entire house, without resorting to guesswork.
Wallpaper Removal Cost Calculator
Table of Contents
How to Use Our Wallpaper Removal Cost Calculator
With our handy calculator tool, you can estimate how much removing wallpaper in your home will cost. Simply follow the instructions below and with the provided information we'll calculate an estimated cost for your wallpaper removal project:
- Wall or Room Size — The total area to be stripped is one of the main cost factors. The larger the area, the more it is likely to cost. Let us know the total wall area in square metres to start calculating your costs.
- Wallpaper Type — As some materials are easier to remove than others, and the more difficult the wallpaper is to remove the more it is likely to cost, choose which type of wallpaper you need removing.
- Wall Condition — Walls that are in poor condition may need more time and labour to strip the wallpaper while causing as little damage as possible to the wall and plaster underneath, all of which can increase costs.
- Access and Complexity — If you're removing paper from rooms with high ceilings, or a stairwell, more complicated stripping projects with access challenges will increase the time and labour required, and your costs.
- Location — Rates for decorators vary across the country, so letting us know which region you live in means we can provide a more accurate estimate based on what professionals are likely to charge in your area.
- Prep and Waste Removal — Select what level of preparation the walls will need, and if waste removal will be required, as adding these to the job can cause your project to cost more.
Wallpaper Removal Cost Factors
There will be several factors which will affect the final cost of removing wallpaper, including:
Wallpaper Type
There are many types of wallpaper, including vinyl, embossed, flock, grass cloth, woodchip, and washable wallpapers. Because of the different materials used in their manufacture, each of these kinds of wallpaper may need a slightly different approach when being removed.
For example, the top covering of vinyl wallpaper can often be removed from the backing paper quite easily, but woodchip is notoriously difficult to get off the wall and is not always suitable as a DIY project.
Wall Condition
The condition of the wall is an important consideration when removing wallpaper. A sound wall is easiest to work with. However, if the surface of the wall is fragile or damp, there is a danger of plaster coming off with the wallpaper. In those situations, a professional may be required.
Room Size
The size of the room is an obvious factor in how much wallpaper removal will cost. Clearly, larger rooms with more surface area will be more expensive than smaller spaces or single walls.
Access and Complexity
Gaining access to the wallpapered area will contribute to how much you pay for its removal. For example, in a stairwell or high-ceilinged room, a platform will be needed, adding to the overall cost, whether you do the work yourself or hire a professional decorator. The complexity of the job will similarly add to the price, such as working with awkward corners or oddly shaped rooms.
Labour Costs
The regional variation of labour costs will impact how much your wallpaper removal will cost if you hire a professional decorator. Prices in London, the southeast of the UK and larger cities will be higher than in less densely populated areas.
Additional Wallpaper Stripping Costs
Other costs that may affect how much you pay for wallpaper removal include:
- Repairs After Stripping — Walls or plaster in poor condition may become damaged during the stripping process, and repairing uneven walls and flaking plaster will be an additional cost.
- Waste Removal — Disposing of the removed wallpaper, which can be bulky and messy to deal with, should be included in your quote, but if it's not then you'd need to pay for this.
- Wall Preparation — Just because the wallpaper is gone doesn't mean your walls are ready for a new covering. Making sure the walls are clean and smooth for new paint or wallpaper will add to your costs.
What Should Wallpaper Stripping Quotes Include?
Wallpaper removal can be a messy and time-consuming task, which is why, to make sure it's done properly, many homeowners hire a professional decorator to take care of it for them.
To find the right professional for your project, it's always a good idea to get at least three quotes, so you can compare costs and exactly what work each tradesperson will carry out.
In general, you can probably expect a quote for wallpaper stripping to include the following:
- Labour — The cost of the decorator's labour for stripping wallpaper from the agreed wall or room.
- Equipment and Materials — All of the equipment and materials they'll need to remove your wallpaper, such as steamers or stripping solutions.
- Preparation and Protection — Making sure floors, furniture, and surrounding areas are properly protected before they start.
- Removing Residual Adhesive — Clarify if this is included, but it will be necessary before the walls can be recovered.
- Waste Removal — All of the stripped wallpaper and additional waste should be removed and properly disposed of.
Each quote you get could be different, which is why it's always worth getting more than one and checking them against each other, but our checklist gives you a good idea of what to check and compare between different quotes.
DIY vs Professional Wallpaper Removal
If you're weighing up whether to hire a professional or remove your wallpaper yourself, consider the following.
Doing It Yourself
Pros
- ✔ Cost saving
- ✔ Unless you have a pressing deadline, such as Christmas or visitors, you can take your time
Cons
- ✖ Higher risk of damage to walls.
- ✖ It's often a tiring, messy and time-consuming job.
- ✖ You have to dispose of the stripped wallpaper yourself.
Hiring a Decorator
Pros
- ✔ Faster and cleaner process using professional equipment and techniques.
- ✔ Reduced risk of damaged walls.
- ✔ Cleanup is taken care of.
- ✔ Wall surfaces are ready for new treatments.
Cons
- ✖ The expense of hiring someone else to do the work.
FAQs
Can I Paint over Wallpaper Instead of Removing It?
It depends on the type of wallpaper. Vinyl or washable papers cannot be painted over, while embossed or woodchip papers can.
Is It Cheaper to Remove Wallpaper Myself?
You can save money by removing wallpaper yourself, but you need to factor in the time and effort it will take, as well as the cleanup afterwards and any repairs to damaged walls.
How Messy Is Wallpaper Removal?
Wallpaper removal can be very messy. Applying water or steam to the walls makes the work area damp, and the removed paper tends to stick to everything as the old paste is moistened.
What Tools Do Professionals Use?
Professionals use specific tools such as wallpaper scoring tools, steamers and good quality scrapers to protect the wall underneath the paper.
