Wallpaper removal: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering wallpaper removal

Wallpaper removal is judged on what is left behind, a clean wall with no gouges and no residue. Win the job by checking the wall under the paper and naming the repair steps before the customer agrees to a finish date.

What customers ask

  • Will the walls be smooth when the paper is gone?
  • What happens if you find mold behind the paper?
  • How long will the walls take to dry before I can paint?
  • Will the paint come off with the paper?
  • Do you repair the drywall or the plaster if it is damaged?

How to win the job

  • Test a small area on the first visit with water and a scraper, and photograph the result so the customer sees how the paper reacts.
  • Check the wall for moisture, soft spots and mold, and write the findings into the proposal before the paper comes off.
  • Put the number of paper layers in the quote, with a line for the extra time each layer adds to the job.
  • Name the wall cleaner, the filler and the primer in the proposal, so the customer knows what goes on the wall after the paper.
  • Quote the drywall repair as its own line, with a note on how the damage will be documented and approved.
  • State the drying time before paint in the schedule, and explain why rushing it causes the paint to lift.
  • Protect the trim, the floors and the furniture in the quote, and list who moves the items out of the room.

What to put on your profile

  • Before and after photos of rooms with the paper removed and the wall repaired, showing the smooth surface
  • Close-up photos of drywall repair and skim coat work, which show the finish quality
  • Photos of a moisture check and the treatment used when moisture was found
  • A short list of the removal products you use and the surfaces each one suits

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • A note on the paint or paper to use next, with the primer needed for the finish
  • A check visit after the first heating season to look at the wall for any new cracks or staining
  • A quote for the next room, offered only if the customer asks

Licenses and permits

Wallpaper removal commonly does not need a license, but drywall repair, mold remediation and structural wall work may require additional credentials. Confirm your business registration and insurance in your state and locality before you take the job.

Questions

Should I include mold treatment in the removal price?

Only if you are qualified to treat mold. Otherwise, stop the removal, show the customer what you found and refer the treatment to a qualified mold remediation firm.

How do I handle a wall that has layers of paper and glue?

Test each layer, quote the extra time per layer and explain the method. A wall with many layers may need a skim coat to get a smooth surface, which should be listed as a separate item.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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