Wallpaper installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What wallpaper installation is

Wallpaper installation measures and prepares the walls, then hangs strips with matched patterns, trimmed edges and smooth seams. People need it for an accent wall, a powder room or a room with a pattern they want to live with, and they need the walls to be smooth enough for the paper to lie flat.

Signs you need it

  • You want a patterned finish that paint cannot give, such as a texture, a print or a scenic design
  • A feature wall behind a bed, a fireplace or a dining table needs a focal point that paint alone does not give
  • The room is small, such as a powder room or entry, and a pattern will feel intentional there
  • The walls are sound and smooth enough, with no active moisture or flaking paint under the surface
  • You want a paper that is removable, such as a peel-and-stick product, for a rental or a short-term look

What the pro does

  • Measure each wall, plan the pattern match and mark the starting line so the strips run level
  • Check the walls for cracks, flaking paint and moisture, and repair or sand the surface before hanging
  • Size the paper and apply the adhesive or wall prep, depending on the product, and let the paper relax if needed
  • Hang each strip, match the pattern across the seams and smooth it with a wallpaper smoother to remove bubbles
  • Trim the edges at the ceiling, baseboard, door and window, and wipe excess adhesive off the surface
  • Let the paper dry as the product requires, then check the seams and corners in the light

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Total wall area and the number of rooms, plus the ceiling height and any stair runs
  • The pattern repeat, since large or matched patterns use more paper and need more trimming
  • Paper type chosen, such as a pasted paper, a non-woven paper or a peel-and-stick product
  • Wall condition and whether the walls need sanding, skim coating or priming
  • Corners, doors, windows and built-ins that break up the wall and add cut time
  • Whether the old paper has to be removed first, which is a separate job

What a written quote should spell out

  • Wall area by room, with the pattern repeat and the paper roll count stated
  • Adhesive or wall prep product named, and whether a primer or sizing coat is applied
  • Seam and pattern matching method, and what happens at corners and outlets
  • Old paper removal and wall repair, listed as separate items if needed
  • The paper brand, the pattern number and the lot used, so the same roll can be matched later

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you check the walls, and what do you do if the surface is not smooth enough?
  • How do you match the pattern across the seams, and how much waste does that add?
  • What paste or adhesive do you use, and does it suit the paper I chose?
  • How do you handle the corners, outlets and the window casings?
  • What happens if a strip tears or a seam lifts after hanging?
  • Can you show me a wallpaper job you did with a similar pattern and wall shape?

Red flags

  • The pro hangs paper over cracked or flaking paint without preparing the wall
  • The pro does not check the pattern repeat before ordering the paper
  • The pro wants to skip the sizing or primer on a porous wall
  • The pro says the seams will be invisible on a large pattern without showing how they will be matched

What you can do yourself

Peel-and-stick paper in a small room, such as a powder room or a closet, is a reasonable project for a homeowner who takes time with the measurements. Pasted paper in large rooms, wall repairs and any wall with moisture or flaking paint should be handled by an experienced hanger, because a seam or a bubble that gets past the paste is hard to fix.

Licenses and permits

Wallpaper installation commonly does not need a license in many places, but rules vary, and repair of moisture or structural problems in the wall may require credentials. Check with your state or local licensing agency about the rules for your work.

Wallpaper installation questions

Can wallpaper go over painted walls?

Yes, if the paint is sound and the surface is primed or sized for the paper. Glossy paint may need scuffing or a primer. Ask the pro to test the adhesion on a small area before hanging the whole room.

How many rolls do I need?

It depends on the wall area, the pattern repeat and the waste. Ask the pro to measure and to show the roll count on the quote, with the pattern repeat stated.

Can I take wallpaper down later without damaging the wall?

Removable papers come off more easily, but the wall can still lose paint or the surface if the paper was hung on a weak finish. Ask the pro what happens to the paint and the wall when the paper comes down.

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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