Have a pro deal with your wallpaper woes
Removing wallpaper can be a frustrating and time-consuming project, and while it’s absolutely DIYable, it’s often a good idea to turn to a local wallpaper removal professional for help. In this guide, we’ll explain how to hire someone to remove wallpaper so you end up with the best expert for the job.
Wallpaper specialists typically offer the following services:
Wallpaper installation
Wallpaper removal
Light drywall repair
Interior painting services
Your professional’s abilities and specialties may vary, so ask them before hiring if you’re looking for particular or niche services.
Yes, you can remove wallpaper yourself by using a wallpaper removal spray, scoring the walls, and then removing the paper using a wallpaper scraping tool. However, the job is tedious and time-consuming, so many homeowners turn to a professional to get the job done quickly and without frustration.
"Wallpaper also works best in lower-traffic rooms that don’t get very much moisture. Rooms like kitchens and bathrooms are not ideal for wallpaper since those are considered high-moisture areas and can cause the paper to peel."
— Gregory Pittman, Director of Commercial Painting Services at Five Star Painting
There are a few things you can do to make sure you get the best wallpaper removal specialist for the job.
One of the best ways to ensure you’re hiring a true expert is to ask your pro for references. Contact homeowners or business owners who have hired the expert in the past and ask them if they’d recommend their services. Ask how quickly the work got done, if they paid a fair price for wallpaper removal, and how thorough the post-removal clean-up was.
Ask your professional how they intend to remove your wallpaper. They will likely need to inspect your home before confirming to see what type of wallpaper you have. Make sure your professional is prepared for the type of wallpaper you have, as removing something like non-porous wallpaper or paint over wallpaper will be significantly more expensive and take more time than removing peel-and-stick wallpaper. Make sure your expert is prepared for the type of wallpaper you have.
In some cases, removing wallpaper can damage the wall behind it, which means you may need light drywall repair before refinishing the wall. Ask your professional if they can carry out the necessary drywall repair after the wallpaper is removed to set you up for the next portion of your project.
Before you hire any pro, ask them how they’ll charge you. Some removal specialists will charge a flat rate per room or per square foot, while others will charge by the hour. Make sure you understand how they’ll charge before they begin the work.
To make sure you find the best wallpaper removal pro for your project, consider asking the following questions:
How long have you been removing wallpaper?
What methods can or do you use to get the job done?
Will you provide a post-removal clean-up?
How should I prepare the room and floor for the work?
Are you fully insured?
Will you be able to patch any areas on the wall that get damaged during removal?
Do you charge by the hour, square foot, or another way?
There are likely dozens of pros in your area who are willing and able to remove wallpaper, but there are a few things you can do to narrow down your options and choose the best one for your project.
Make sure they can handle your wallpaper type. Most wallpaper removal pros will be able to remove wallpaper borders and wallpaper regardless of the type, but ask your professional specifically if they’ve dealt with your type before, especially if you know it’s non-porous wallpaper.
Go with a pro that requires an in-person inspection. Your pro should require an inspection beforehand so that they can confirm the type of wallpaper and get accurate pricing based on the layout of the room.
Choose a professional that charges by the square foot or room. For the greatest peace of mind, choose a pro that charges by area rather than time. That way, you’ll know exactly what your total will be regardless of how long it takes them.
Make sure to ask for references. Always ask your pro for references beforehand and call those references to see if the pro is the right fit for your job.
After your wallpaper removal specialist is done with the job, complete a post-removal walkthrough with the pro to inspect the walls and make sure the work meets your expectations. Ensure the walls are bare and clean, and check for any clean-up services that weren’t done but should have been included. Check the walls for damage, as well, especially if wall repair was supposed to be included in your total.
Finally, make payment according to your contract and consider leaving a review for your professional online so that other homeowners can more easily choose an expert.
