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myWallpaper Removal Cost
At a Glance
- The average cost of removing wallpaper is around £450.
- The job will take approximately 1 to 2 days to complete.
- Find out what wallpaper removal costs in 2026 by type and style.
- How long the job should approximately take.
- Easily find a local painter and decorator through MyJobQuote.
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£450
Table of Contents
How Much Does it Cost to Remove Wallpaper?
The average wallpaper removal cost in the UK is £300 to £600 per room. Prices you're quoted will mainly depend on the size of the room and the type of wallpaper that you want to have removed.
Most decorators charge £20 to £30 per hour for wallpaper removal, or a day rate of between £150 and £250, with small rooms usually taking 1 to 2 days to complete.
Which room are you removing wallpaper from?
Living Room/Dining Room
10 votes - 48%48% of votes
Bedroom
4 votes - 19%19% of votes
Kitchen
0 votes - 0%0% of votes
Bathroom
0 votes - 0%0% of votes
Hallway
7 votes - 33%33% of votes
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For larger jobs such as whole-house wallpaper removal, costs will typically include a team of two professional decorators working together.
Removing stubborn or textured wallpaper, such as woodchip, is typically more expensive due to the extra time and effort. In these cases, woodchip wallpaper removal costs can rise to between £400 and £800 per room.
Wallpaper Removal Price List
Below is a breakdown of typical wallpaper removal costs when hiring a professional:
| Job Description | Average Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Remove wallpaper on a single wall | £40–£120 | 2 to 4 hours |
| Remove wallpaper in a single room (approx. 25m²) | £300–£600 | 2 days |
| Wallpaper removal in entire 3-bed semi-detached house (approx. 125m² to 150m²) | £1,500–£3,500 | 5 to 7 days |
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As this shows, wallpaper removal typically works out at around £12 to £24 per m². Straightforward rooms are at the lower end of this range, while larger or more awkward spaces are towards the higher end of the scale.
Calculate the Cost to Remove Wallpaper
Want a better idea of how much it costs to remove wallpaper?
Try out our wallpaper removal cost calculator.
You'll need the size of the area you need stripping in square metres and some other simple details, and we can quickly calculate an estimate for how much your project might cost.
While this calculator is a great starting point, getting quotes from local decorators is the best way to understand the total cost of removing wallpaper from your room or wall.
Quotes you get through MyJobQuote are fast, free, with no obligation to proceed.
How much to strip wallpaper from hallway and two staircases and landing including ceiling of all of it except hallway?
"It depends on the sizes of the area. Generally around £75 an hour and it takes about an hour to strip a wall 6m x 2m. It will also depend on the underlying wall i.e. plasterboard or plaster, rough or smooth."
Cost of Wallpaper Removal with Redecorating
You may also want to consider the cost of wallpapering a room or the cost of painting, if you plan on redecorating after removal.
| Job Description | Average Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper removal and painting in a single room (approx. 25m²) | £600–£900 | 2 to 3 days |
| Wallpaper removal and repapering in a single room (approx. 25m²) | £600–£1,000 | 2 to 3 days |
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Why Hire a Decorator to Remove Wallpaper?
While it might seem tempting to tackle wallpaper removal on your own to save money, DIY jobs can be time-consuming, physically demanding, and messy.
Without the right tools and experience, it's easy to damage walls, struggle with stubborn wallpapers like woodchip, or end up with uneven surfaces that will require additional repairs later.
Common Things That Go Wrong With DIY
- Plaster that gets scored or pulled off.
- Painted or vinyl paper that won't soften.
- Old damp or mould that shows up once the paper is off.
- Holding a heavy electric steamer against the wall for hours can get tiring.
- Sockets getting damaged with steam.
- Not having the correct or best tools for the job.
- The job costing more money in the long run due to mistakes being made.
Ready to get a quote?
For a guaranteed smooth finish without the hassle, you can get multiple free quotes from local decorators using MyJobQuote. It's fast, no-hassle, and there is no obligation to book.
How much will it cost to remove old wallpaper feature wall, re-wallpaper and paint a room with two coats and a gloss coat?
"Between £450-650 depending on what materials and company you use. To do the job right you're looking at 3-4 days. Hope this helps."
Factors Impacting the Cost to Strip Wallpaper
There are several factors that can influence the overall cost of removing wallpaper in your home. Understanding these can help you plan your budget and avoid any awkward surprises:
- Type of wallpaper — Thick, textured, or stubborn wallpapers like woodchip require more time and effort, increasing wallpaper removal costs.
- Number of layers — Some walls may have multiple layers of wallpaper over one another. Each of these must be removed. The more layers the longer the job will take.
- Painted wallpaper — If your wallpaper has been painted over, some removal techniques such as soaking and scraping won't work as well. The paint effectively seals the wallpaper making it more labour intensive to remove.
- Room size and layout — Larger rooms take longer to strip, leading to higher labour fees. The same goes for rooms with awkward shapes, coves, or bay windows. The more nooks and crannies the room has, the more your wallpaper removal costs.
- Number of walls — Feature walls are cheaper to remove than full-room coverage.
- Condition of walls — Damaged walls may need plastering or skimming after removal, adding to the total wallpaper removal cost.
- Accessibility — High ceilings, staircases, or additional fixtures and fittings can make the job more difficult.
- DIY vs professional — Doing it yourself can save on labour, but hiring a professional can provide quicker, cleaner results and proper wall preparation for painting or redecorating.
- Method of removal — Steaming is often more expensive than soaking and scraping, while dry scraping is often the cheapest method of removal. The type of wallpaper you have may dictate which method is used to remove it.
- Mould treatments — If any of the walls in your house suffer from mould or damp, then you'll usually need to have them treated before you can redecorate.
- Location — Regional differences in labour costs can affect pricing.
Woodchip Wallpaper Removal Cost
Removing woodchip wallpaper can be more labour-intensive than standard wallpaper because of its thick texture and due to often being painted. This means the costs to remove woodchip wallpaper are usually higher than for smooth or vinyl wallpapers.
On average, professional decorators charge between £20 and £30 per hour for wallpaper removal, or a day rate of £150 to £250, but a single room with woodchip wallpaper may cost around £400 to £800 to remove, depending on the room size, wall condition, and accessibility.
| Job Description | Average Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Remove woodchip wallpaper on a single wall | £120–£180 | 6 hours |
| Remove woodchip wallpaper in a single room (approx. 25m²) | £400–£800 | 2 to 3 days |
| Remove woodchip wallpaper in entire 3-bed semi-detached house (approx. 125m² to 150m²) | £2,000–£4,500 | 7 to 10 days |
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What's Involved in Wallpaper Removal?
Wallpaper removal can be time-consuming and messy. For best results and to ensure the ideal surface for recovering once the wallpaper is removed, it's worth finding and hiring a local decorator.
When hiring a professional, it's always a good idea to get at least three quotes, and using MyJobQuote makes it easy to get fast, free, no-obligation quotes from decorators near you.
Here's an overview of what you can expect when you hire a professional to remove wallpaper.
Before the Job
- Test the Wall — They test a section of wall to see how easy it is to remove and decide on the best removal method to complete the project.
- Note Challenges — They watch for potential challenges, including uneven walls where the scraper might actually dig in and damage the wall, vinyl and moisture-resistant wallpapers, and areas where there are multiple layers or painted wallpaper.
During the Job
The removal method used will depend on the type of wallpaper, but these are typical methods professionals will use for wallpaper removal.
- Peel Vinyl, Then Soak the Backing — On vinyl and moisture resistant wallpapers, the decorator takes off the vinyl/top layer first so the backing is exposed.
- Soaking and Scraping — The decorator saturates the wallpaper with a sponge and warm water (sometimes mixed with washing-up liquid) to dissolve the paste before scraping it off.
- Scoring and Steaming — The decorator uses a wallpaper steamer to force hot steam through perforations made in the paper with a scoring tool, dissolving the glue from behind.
- Chemical Strippers and Solvents — The decorator applies a chemical solution to the wall to break down the wallpaper adhesive more effectively than water alone.
After the Job
- Remove Residue — The sticky residue left by the stripper or solvent is completely washed off the wall before you paint or hang new wallpaper.
- Check the Walls — The walls receive a final check to make sure that all the wallpaper and residue have been successfully removed and the walls are assessed.
- Clear the Area — The area is cleared of all the waste and equipment used for removing the wallpaper, ready for the next step.
Removing wallpaper reveals old cream paint underneath. Should this be removed before repainting & how? All advice welcome. Thank you.
"Give the wall a good sanding down and then fill any areas that need filling, sand down again and then you should have nice clean smooth wall to paint with your new colour, You could also seal the wall before painting if you think it needs it, depends how good your sanding is."
Checklist: Hiring a Contractor to Remove Wallpaper in the UK
Whether you're looking for someone to remove your old wallpaper or a complete removal and redecorating, there are a number of factors you can consider to ensure the job goes smoothly.
Consider these points before hiring a painter and decorator to remove your old wallpaper.
- Are they experienced? Check the contractor has experience with wallpaper removal and redecorating. It's best if they have already worked with the type of wallpaper you need removed, especially for woodchip or textured wallpaper. Ask to see examples of previous work.
- Have they given you a detailed quote? Ask for a detailed quote covering labour, materials, and any wall preparation costs.
- Are they insured? Decorators typically have public liability insurance and must have employers' liability insurance if they have people working for them.
- Can they complete any extra work? Verify whether they can also handle painting or repapering after removal if needed.
- Do they provide a contract? Agree on a written contract specifying the work scope, total cost, and payment schedule.
- Do they have positive reviews? Check their MyJobQuote profile and see what other homeowners are saying about their work.
It's always worth speaking with a few different contractors and comparing their prices before making a hiring decision.
Use MyJobQuote to get multiple quotes from local painters and decorators, for free, with no obligation to go ahead!
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FAQs
Are Quotes for Wallpaper Removal Given per Hour or as a Fixed Cost?
Quotes can vary depending on the contractor. Many offer a fixed cost for a room or house, while others may charge an hourly rate, particularly for more complex or unpredictable jobs. It's always best to clarify this upfront when requesting a quote.
Why Shouldn't I Paint over Wallpaper?
Painting over wallpaper can result in peeling, bubbling, and an uneven finish because the wallpaper adhesive may not bond well with paint. Painted wallpaper is also notoriously difficult to remove. Removing wallpaper before painting ensures a smooth, durable surface.
Can Old Wallpaper Be Toxic?
Old wallpaper itself is rarely toxic, but some older papers may contain traces of lead-based paint or mould if they have been exposed to damp conditions. It's important to remove old wallpaper carefully and ensure proper ventilation, and seek professional help if you suspect contamination.
How Can I Tell if There's Mould Behind Wallpaper?
Signs of mould include a musty smell, visible black or green patches, and discolouration on the wallpaper. Moisture stains and peeling wallpaper can also indicate damp problems behind the surface. Professional inspection may be needed for extensive mould.
What Wallpaper Is Easiest to Remove Later?
Non-textured, lightweight wallpapers such as vinyl-coated or standard smooth papers are generally the easiest to remove. Avoid heavily textured wallpapers such as woodchip or multiple-layer wallpapers if you want a simpler removal process in the future.
Does Anaglypta Wallpaper Cost More to Remove?
Anaglypta wallpaper removal costs can be higher than standard wallpaper due to its embossed texture. Anaglypta is similar to woodchip in that it often requires scoring and steaming rather than soaking and scraping, so it typically takes longer to remove.
Should I Move Furniture Before the Decorator Arrives?
Most professional decorators will expect the room to be clear before they start. Moving large furniture out of the room entirely, or at least to the centre and covered with dust sheets, will save time and may reduce your overall wallpaper removal costs.
