Effective Strategies for Calculating Wallpaper Removal Costs Accurately

Discover practical strategies to accurately calculate wallpaper removal costs, helping you plan your budget and avoid unexpected expenses.

Wondering how much wallpaper removal costs?

Wallpaper is having a huge comeback in the UK. Wallpaperdirect saw 70% more searches for wallpaper this year, and overall, UK wallpaper market consumption jumped 10% in 2024.

Wallpaper is on everyone's minds this year. If everyone is hanging wallpaper, that also means that a lot more wallpaper is going to come off in 2024 too.

Learning how to accurately calculate removing wallpaper cost is much more than just getting a few quotes from local contractors. It's about knowing what you are actually paying for, why quotes can vary so widely, and how to never get ripped off.

You will learn how to do it right.

The Basics

In this guide, we will cover:

• Why Removing Wallpaper Costs Vary So Widely

• The Real Factors That Determine Cost

• Calculating Your Project Step By Step

• Tips To Get The Best Possible Value

  
  

Why Removing Wallpaper Costs Vary So Widely

Wallpaper removal costs range from £150 to over £650 for the typical UK homeowner. The average cost is £350 per room but that doesn't give you the full picture.

The Problem: The Type Of Wallpaper Matters (More Than You Think)

Wallpaper removal jobs are all unique, even if the rooms are similar in size. Your neighbour might pay £200 to strip wallpaper from their living room while you receive quotes for £500 to do the same sized room.

Both of those quotes are valid, and both could be reasonable depending on what other factors are involved.

Here are the key variables:

• Wallpaper Type: Peel-and-stick wallpaper that is popular today comes off in minutes. But old-school 1980s vinyl-coated wallpaper is a different beast that may require scoring, steaming, and even chemical solutions to tackle wallpaper removal effectively.

• Wall Type: Drywall is super porous and soaks up moisture like a sponge. This means contractors need to be extra gentle when steaming wallpaper. Plaster walls are more durable and can handle more aggressive removal methods (costing less).

• Wallpaper Age: The older the wallpaper, the more gunk it is designed to use to stick to the wall. Some glues are purposefully made to get harder over time. Wallpaper that's been on your walls for decades can become an all day scraping battle if you attempt DIY wallpaper removal.

  
  

The Real Factors That Determine Cost

Wallpaper removal services charge between £15 and £25 per hour in the UK, with day rates between £120 and £200. But what actually causes that price range to expand or contract?

Square Footage Of The Room

Decorators either charge by room size or by time required. The bigger the space the more it will cost to strip. Square footage is an easy, apples-to-apples comparison for most jobs.

But the height of the walls matters too. Walls that are 10 feet high or more can increase the time and labour needed. Contractors need special tools to reach the top sections of walls.

Example: A standard small to medium bedroom with 8 foot ceilings costs between £300 and £600. That same bedroom with higher ceilings or vaulted ceilings would add to the price to cover additional equipment rental and time.

Wallpaper Type & Condition

The type of wallpaper and the state it is in is a huge difference maker.

Wallpaper styles can be split into a few categories with removal processes ranging from super easy to a complete nightmare:

• Traditional Paper Wallpaper: Easiest to remove, but can still cost £150-£650 per room

• Vinyl-Coated Wallpaper: Must be scored and steamed, typically more expensive

• Multiple Layers: Requires an extra visit and time

• Woodchip Wallpaper: Labour intensive removal, may cost £400-£800 per room

• Painted-Over Wallpaper: Worst case scenario, significantly higher costs

Painting over wallpaper traps the adhesive and makes it very difficult to strip or steam. Woodchip wallpaper is a huge pain to remove because the texture is so thick.

Wall Repairs & Prep Work

The wall underneath wallpaper is often in terrible shape. Scoring and scraping leaves nail pops, gouges, and holes. Wall repair costs vary based on the extent of damage but can add a significant amount to the final bill.

Some companies bundle basic wall prep into their quote. Others charge separately for patching holes, skim coating, and sanding. You should always ask for clarification on these additional fees before signing any agreement.

Hidden Hazards

Asbestos & Lead Wallpaper is very rare today but can still be present in older homes built before the 1980s. Testing for hazardous materials costs extra. Removal costs also increase by hundreds of pounds if they are present.

Calculating Your Project Step By Step

How do you roughly estimate your wallpaper removal cost before even speaking to any contractors? Here is the step-by-step process I use and recommend.

Measure Your Space

Calculate the total square footage of wallpapered walls in your room or space. Measure the length and height of each wall then multiply those two numbers together. Add all walls' square footage together for a total.

Don't forget to subtract doorways and windows. The average door is 20 square feet. Windows vary in size but average 15-20 square feet.

Example: A 12×12 foot bedroom with 8 foot ceilings has roughly 384 square feet of wall space before subtracting the door and windows.

Identify Your Wallpaper Type

Spray a small hidden corner with water and wait 5 minutes.

• Absorbs Quickly: Porous paper, easiest & cheapest to remove

• Water Beads On Surface: Vinyl-coated paper, hardest & most expensive

You should also try to figure out how many layers of wallpaper you have. Peel back a corner to see if there is more wallpaper underneath.

Factor In Your Wall Type

Tap on your wall. If it sounds hollow, then you have drywall which requires more gentle treatment. A solid sound means you have plaster which is more durable.

Drywall costs roughly 15-25% more for removal because contractors need to be extra careful.

Get Multiple Quotes

Once you have a sense of square footage and wallpaper type, you should get at least three quotes from different companies. Ensure each quote includes:

• Hourly Rate or Day Rate

• Removal Method They Plan To Use

• Basic Wall Prep & Cleanup

• Timeline To Complete

• Any Extra Fees

Compare the quotes carefully and make sure you aren't choosing the cheapest one just because. Low ballers may leave out important details that can end up costing more later.

Tips To Get The Best Possible Value

Smart homeowners can save money on wallpaper removal without sacrificing quality or timeline. There are several ways to stretch your budget as far as possible.

Bundle Services

Asking contractors about bundle discounts is always a smart idea. Pairing wallpaper removal with painting or new wallpaper installation will save 10-20% over doing each project separately.

Time The Project

Contractors have slower seasons when they are more willing to negotiate prices and terms. Late winter and early spring are the slowest times for interior work.

DIY

If you have modern peel-and-stick wallpaper or traditional paper wallpaper on plaster walls, you might be able to DIY wallpaper removal. You will need a scoring tool, spray bottle, scraper, and steamer (rental is £25-£45/day).

DIY is a gamble though if your walls need repairs later. Damaged drywall can be more expensive to repair than hiring a professional from the start.

Ask About Prep Work

Moving furniture, protecting floors, and extensive cleanup may be additional charges with some companies but included with others. Find out these details upfront rather than getting surprise fees later.

Final Thoughts

Accurately calculating your wallpaper removal costs comes down to knowing the factors driving prices.

Room size, wallpaper type and condition, the underlying wall surfaces, and any potential repairs or prep work can all impact your final bill. Quotes from professionals typically range between £15-£25 per hour or £120-£200 per day with an average total cost of £350 per room.

Get multiple detailed quotes, ask questions about what's included, and don't automatically go with the cheapest option. Proper wallpaper removal protects your walls and sets you up for success with the next stage of your project, whether that be painting or hanging new wallpaper. Cutting corners can lead to expensive mistakes later.