How much does it cost to remove wallpaper?

Removing wallpaper can be a long and boring task, so lots of homeowners look to painters and decorators to help them remove it quickly. Whether you're rehanging wallpaper or painting the room once it's stripped, it's important to get the job done properly.

Average cost to remove wallpaper

The average cost to remove wallpaper will depend on the size of the room, the method used to strip it and the type of wallpaper, but here's what to expect:

These costs are averages based on the whole of the UK. HaMuch has a large database of hourly and daily rates for painters and decorators across the country, so take a look at the table further down the page for a more accurate idea of how much labour costs in your area.

Cost to strip wallpaper and paint room

The cost to strip wallpaper and paint a room will depend on the size of the room and the condition of the walls once the wallpaper is removed. However, the average cost is £750.

The decorator will remove the wallpaper using steam or chemicals then will scrape off the wallpaper using a putty knife or scraper. They will then fill any holes and sand down the walls before painting the room.

Woodchip wallpaper removal cost

Woodchip wallpaper was a popular choice in the 1980s and is still around in a lot of homes in the UK. However, it’s gone well out of fashion and most homeowners are choosing to remove it.

Woodchip wallpaper is time-consuming and difficult to remove, so the costs are high. It costs an average of £220 per person per day to remove.

The decorator will score the wallpaper and soak it thoroughly before starting to scrape it off. It's certainly an arduous task that many homeowners hate to do!

Do painters and decorators remove wallpaper?

Yes, painters and decorators remove wallpaper – which is great, since you can then ask them to hang your new wallpaper or paint your walls straight after!

Experienced painters and decorators will have mastered their wallpaper removal technique, so it won't take them as long as it would take you to remove it yourself.

How do professionals remove wallpaper?

Professionals tend to use one of two methods to remove wallpaper: steaming or chemical stripping.

Steaming: The decorator will score the wallpaper using a craft knife or spiked roller before using an electric steamer to steam off the wallpaper. The steam needs to penetrate the wallpaper, then the decorator can carefully use a putty knife to scrape it off.

Chemical stripping: A painter and decorator will use a chemical wallpaper stripper to dissolve the wallpaper adhesive. They may put it in a spray bottle and spray it in small sections at a time. They'll let it sit for a few minutes before scrapping the wallpaper off.

What are the issues with removing wallpaper?

There are a few issues that can occur when removing wallpaper, which is why it's best leaving it to the professionals:

Stubborn wallpaper patches: It's not uncommon to get patches of wallpaper left behind, no matter how much you steam it or use wallpaper stripper on it. Often wallpaper has been stuck to walls for years, meaning the adhesive is well fused to the wall.

Sticky patches: If you do manage to get all the wallpaper off, another issue you can come across is leftover adhesive on the walls. These sticky patches can be difficult to get off, and may require more attention with a chemical stripper.

Damaged walls: When you use scrapers on walls, you can cause damage to them. You might create holes or peel off paint and plaster.

There's also the possibility that a wallpaper steamer will cause damage to old plaster, causing it to 'blow'. This is where the plaster comes unstuck from the wall behind, creating hollow bubbles. While some patches can be filled, if the wall is too damaged you might have to have the wall skimmed before redecorating.

Is it worth stripping wallpaper?

Yes, it's definitely worth stripping wallpaper if you want to redecorate. It's not uncommon for people to cut corners and paper straight over the old wallpaper or simply paint over it. But doing this will affect the quality of finish you can get.

There are many benefits to stripping wallpaper before redecorating:

Get the best prepped surface

Taking time to strip the wallpaper carefully will ensure you'll have the best surface available for repapering or painting. Getting all the wallpaper and adhesive off then giving the walls a wash will give your decorator a perfectly prepared surface ready for redecorating.

Maintain your walls

If your walls have had wallpaper on them for many years, it may have masked problems like damp or blown plaster. By removing the wallpaper before redecorating, you can pick up problems that might have otherwise gone unnoticed and keep up with maintenance of your property.

You might need to apply 'damp block' damp proofing paint or get the walls skimmed before you go any further.

Get a perfect finish

You'll get a much better finish if you remove wallpaper before redecorating. If you keep papering over old wallpaper, you'll end up with many layers on the walls. This can cause the wallpaper to peel off over time and it'll be easier to get air bubbles in it.

If you paint over the old wallpaper, you won’t get a nice, smooth finish. You'll be able to see the lines between each sheet of wallpaper, and over time it's likely to start peeling as the paint dries out the adhesive.

It's certainly best to strip all the wallpaper before decorating to get a great finish.

If you're ready to get your wallpaper removed, make sure you get a range of quotes from reliable painters and decorators. Post your job on HaMuch to get in touch with professionals in your area.

Estimates for common painter and decorator jobs;

Rates for other trades