Wallpaper removal: what to know

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

What wallpaper removal is

Wallpaper removal takes down old paper by scoring, wetting or steaming it, scraping off the paper and glue, then cleaning and repairing the wall so it can be painted or papered again. People need it when old paper is peeling, dated, or has been damaged by moisture behind it.

Signs you need it

  • Seams are lifting or curling at the edges, and the paper is pulling away from the wall
  • The paper has bubbles or blisters that feel soft or hollow when you press them
  • Old paper is covering a wall that has mold, moisture stains or soft plaster behind it
  • The room has several layers of paper, and each layer has its own glue and old paint
  • You want to paint the wall or hang a new paper, and the old paper is not a good base for either

What the pro does

  • Test a small area to see how the paper and the glue react to water, and check the wall for moisture or mold
  • Score the paper with a perforator so the liquid can get through to the adhesive
  • Apply warm water with a wallpaper remover or a steamer, working in small sections so the paper does not dry out
  • Scrape the paper and the glue off with a wide putty knife, keeping the blade flat to avoid gouging the wall
  • Wash the wall with a mild cleaner, rinse it and let it dry fully before any repairs
  • Repair cracks and gouges, sand the patches smooth and prime the wall for the next finish

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Every job is different, so we do not publish prices.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.

  • Wall area and the number of layers of paper that have to come off
  • How well the paper is bonded, and whether the adhesive is a glue that needs more soaking
  • Whether the plaster or drywall is damaged under the paper and needs repair or skim coating
  • Moisture or mold behind the paper, which calls for treatment before any new finish
  • Ceiling height, the number of rooms and access to any high or tight areas
  • Whether the job includes priming, painting or a new paper after the removal

What a written quote should spell out

  • Wall area by room, with the number of paper layers noted
  • Steaming or soaking method and the products used to remove the paper and glue
  • Repair steps for cracks, gouges and damaged drywall, including the filler type
  • Wall cleaning and priming steps, and the product used for the primer
  • Cleanup and protection plan for floors, trim and furniture

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you check the wall under the paper for moisture or mold before you start?
  • Will the removal leave the wall smooth, or will the drywall face tear?
  • What do you use to remove the paper and glue, and is it safe for the finish I want next?
  • How do you repair damage that shows once the paper is off?
  • Do you prime the wall after removal, and what primer do you use?
  • Can you show me a room where you removed paper that was similar in age and layers?

Red flags

  • The pro soaks the paper heavily and says it is fine, without protecting the drywall face
  • The pro does not check for moisture or mold behind the paper before covering it
  • The pro scrapes with a metal blade that gouges the wall without a repair plan
  • The pro says the wall will be ready to paint right away with no drying time

What you can do yourself

Testing a small area, scoring and steaming a single small room, and cleaning a wall after the paper is off are reasonable homeowner tasks. Removal from a wall with moisture, mold or soft plaster should be handled by a professional, because mold disturbed by scraping can spread and damaged drywall can tear badly.

Licenses and permits

Wallpaper removal commonly does not need a license, but repair of drywall or plaster and any mold remediation may require credentials. Check with your state or local licensing agency about the rules for work involving moisture or structural repair.

Wallpaper removal questions

Can I put new paper over old paper?

Only if the old paper is firmly bonded, flat and free of moisture damage. Most pros remove old paper to get a smooth base. Ask the pro to check the old paper and to state which option they recommend.

How do I know if the wall is damaged under the paper?

Look for soft spots, crumbling plaster, stains and a musty smell. Ask the pro to test the wall with a probe and to show you the surface before the work begins.

Will removal take the paint off too?

It can. Some paper pulls off paint along with it, which is why the pro should test the surface first. Ask what happens to the paint and whether the wall will need priming and repair.

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.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More remodeling, painting and floors guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request wallpaper removal