How Much Does Wallpaper Removal Cost in 2025?
The average cost to remove wallpaper is $791
Wallpaper removal costs range from $200 to $2,000, averaging $791, or $0.60 to $3 per square foot.
The total price depends on cost factors like the wallpaper location, type, wall condition, and removal method.
Hiring a professional wallpaper removal service prevents damage and preserves the condition of your walls.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Homeowners spend an average of $791 on wallpaper removal costs, with prices ranging from $422 to $1,191 or $0.60 to $3 per square foot. Depending on factors like the wallpaper location and type, room size, and removal method, you might pay anywhere from $200 to $2,000. Planning ahead and hiring a professional wallpaper remover can help ensure your project goes smoothly.
Wallpaper Removal Cost Factors
When budgeting for wallpaper removal, several factors will influence the total cost. Understanding these variables can help you anticipate your final bill.
Wall Type
Removing wallpaper can be more challenging and costly if your walls are made of drywall. Drywall soaks up water and requires extra care to prevent damage. On the other hand, plaster walls tolerate more water, making wallpaper removal quicker, easier, and more budget-friendly.
Wallpaper Type
Different types of wallpaper have varying levels of difficulty when it comes to removal, with the easiest being modern peel-and-stick varieties. Traditional porous wallpapers are a bit more challenging but manageable since they absorb liquids well for steaming or soaking. Vinyl-coated wallpaper is the toughest to remove because it's non-porous. The process requires extra steps like scoring before removing it, which can add to your costs.
Wall Condition
If your walls need repairs after removing the wallpaper, this can increase your overall costs, especially if you plan to paint afterward. Damaged walls require patching or smoothing to prepare for a fresh coat of paint. Drywall repair costs an average of $880, depending on the severity of the damage.
Wall Height
The higher your walls, the more labor costs you'll incur for wallpaper removal. Aside from covering a larger surface area, additional charges often result from a remover having to use special equipment like a ladder to reach the top.
Age
Removing your wallpaper might be more challenging if it has been on the walls for decades. Old adhesives can harden over time or use stronger formulas, making the wallpaper harder to take off. Plus, older wallpaper can become brittle, so it doesn't strip away easily, resulting in higher labor costs to get the job done.
Number of Layers
It's common for homeowners to layer new wallpaper over old wallpaper to change up the look. Since these additional layers make removal more difficult, they'll often incur extra labor charges.
Several factors play into the cost of wallpaper removal, including the removal method, wall type, and additional complexities. Below is a breakdown of the cost factors and what you can expect to pay.
Labor
Labor costs range from $0.60 to $10 per square foot, depending on the project size and removal method. Some contractors charge by time instead, costing $30 to $40 per hour. On average, expect to pay around $500 to $700 per room, depending on how complex the job is. If your wallpaper is hard to remove or your room has high ceilings, labor costs might be higher.
Materials
You can expect to spend between $50 and $100 on materials for wallpaper removal. These costs often appear on your bill for items like scrapers, wallpaper strippers, scoring tools, and even equipment rental like steamers for stubborn wallpaper or tall ceilings. If your contractor needs to rent a steamer, it could add about $50 to your costs.
Painting
Many homeowners paint their walls after removing wallpaper. The cost to paint a room ranges from $380 to $800, depending on the square footage and paint quality.
Many local painters and handypeople provide these services, so you can hire the same pro for both jobs. Keep in mind that it may take a few days before you can paint since the wall may be wet after you remove the wallpaper.
Cost of Removing Wallpaper per Square Foot
Most contractors charge between $0.60 and $3 per square foot to remove wallpaper. So, for a standard 12-by-12-foot room, you pay around $535 on average. The exact cost depends on factors like the condition of your wallpaper and the size of your room. If your pro discovers unexpected layers of old wallpaper or particularly stubborn paper, they might increase the price per square foot due to the extra time needed.
Below are the average costs per square foot for professional wallpaper removal.
| Total Sq. Ft. | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 100 | $60–$300 |
| 200 | $120–$600 |
| 300 | $180–$900 |
| 400 | $240–$1,200 |
| 500 | $300–$1,500 |
Wallpaper Removal Cost by Method
The removal method can impact your wallpaper removal cost. Stripping the wallpaper is the most straightforward and inexpensive while soaking and steaming will increase your project price.
| Removal Method | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Stripping | $0.60–$1.50 per sq. ft. |
| Soaking and scraping | $0.60–$1.50 per sq. ft. |
| Steaming | $50 |
Stripping
Stripping is the simplest and least expensive wallpaper removal method, costing between $0.60 and $1.50 per square foot. There is little prep work or cleanup required, which saves labor costs.
Soaking and Scraping
You might pay between $0.60 and $1.50 per square foot if your wallpaper isn’t strippable, as there’s much more work involved in removing it. Your local wallpaper removal pro will start by scoring the paper and adding water or an agent to dissolve the glue. Once the paper is loose, the contractor will either peel the panels off the wall or use a putty knife to scrape the paper off, as well as any leftover adhesive.
Steaming
Steaming wallpaper is a similar process to scraping but uses an electric steamer to loosen the paper instead of a liquid agent. If a contractor must rent a steamer, this could increase the cost by around $50.
DIY vs. Hiring a Wallpaper Removal Service
Removing wallpaper yourself can save you money, but it's a messy and tedious job, especially if you've never done it before. You'll need to invest time and effort, and you risk damaging your walls if you're not careful. Hiring a professional wallpaper removal service means the job will be done efficiently and correctly, saving you time and potential stress.
Contact a local wallpaper removal company near you to receive a quote for your project.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
A handyperson near you can take on the task of wallpaper removal. As a bonus, they can also take care of any needed wall repairs afterward and other odd jobs around the house. If you have high ceilings, ask whether they own ladders or scaffolding to do the job or will need to rent equipment.
You can determine your wall type through tactile and visual tests. Start by checking the surface by inserting a thumbtack, feeling the texture, tapping to listen for a hollow sound, and examining cut edges under outlet covers. Drywall feels soft with a hollow sound, while plaster is hard and solid. These checks are especially useful in older homes where plaster is more common.
In many cases, you can paint over wallpaper, although it’s a better idea to remove it altogether. Try steaming the paper first to see if it easily comes off. Painting over it may be a viable option if it’s stuck on and will only come off in pieces. Wash the walls first and prime them with an oil- or shellac-based primer for the best results.
Wallpaper installation costs between $800 and $4,000. The total price depends on the price per roll, room size, wallpaper material, and required repairs. More complex projects involving luxurious wallpaper brands like De Gournay, Calico, and Pierre Frey result in higher installation rates due to the extra work required.
After removing wallpaper, you can dispose of small amounts in your household trash. However, suppose you are removing wallpaper from your entire home. In that case, you’ll need to contact a waste removal service, rent a dumpster, or arrange a special pick-up with your municipality’s waste service. Wallpaper cannot be recycled, so it is important to keep it separate from the recycling stream to comply with local waste guidelines.
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