Builders
Carpenters
Electricians
Flooring Specialists
Gardeners
Handymen
Heating Engineers
Painters & Decorators
Plasterers & Renderers
Plumbers
Roofers
Tilers
myWallpaper Removal Cost
At a glance
- The average cost of removing and hanging wallpaper is around £550
- The job will take approximately 2 days to complete
- Find out what removing and hanging wallpaper costs in 2025 by type and style.
- How long the job should approximately take.
- Easily find a local painter and decorator through MyJobQuote.
Get free estimates
Are you a trade? Get more work today!
£550
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 depend on the size of the room, the type of wallpaper, and how long it takes to strip.
Most decorators charge £15–£25 per hour or a day rate of £120–£200, with small rooms usually taking a day to complete.
Removing stubborn or textured wallpaper, such as woodchip, is typically more expensive due to the extra time and effort. In these cases, the woodchip wallpaper removal costs can rise to £400–£800 per room.
Below is a breakdown of typical wallpaper removal costs:
| Job Description | Average Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Remove wallpaper on a single wall | £80–£150 | 2–4 hours |
| Remove wallpaper in a single room (approx. 25m²) | £300–£600 | 1 day |
| Wallpaper removal in entire 3-bed semi-detached house (approx. 90–100m²) | £1,500–£3,000 | 5–7 days |
Want a custom price?
Post your job
| Job Description | Average Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper removal and painting in a single room (approx. 25m²) | £450–£750 | 2–3 days |
| Wallpaper removal and repapering in a single room (approx. 25m²) | £500–£900 | 2–3 days |
Want a custom price?
Post your job
How is cork wallpaper fitted? Does it need any special skills or is it similar to other wall coverings?
"You will need a special adhesive and should probably spice it."
Factors Impacting Wallpaper Removal Costs
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 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. 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 it will cost.
- 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 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 ensures 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 wall paper 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 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 labor-intensive than standard wallpaper because of its thick texture and the strong adhesive often used. This means the costs to remove woodchip wallpaper are usually higher than for smooth or vinyl wallpapers.
On average, professional decorators charge between £15 and £25 per hour for wallpaper removal, or a day rate of £120 to £200, 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 | £100 – £180 | 2–4 hours |
| Remove woodchip wallpaper in a single room (approx. 25 m²) | £400 – £800 | 1–2 days |
| Remove woodchip wallpaper in entire 3-bed semi-detached house (approx. 90–100 m²) | £2,000 – £3,500 | 5–7 days |
Want a custom price?
Post your job
Doing it Yourself
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.
For a guaranteed smooth finish without the hassle, we recommend getting a quote from a local decorator, but if you're still considering the DIY route, here are the common methods and their potential pitfalls.
Soaking and Scraping
This traditional method involves saturating the wallpaper with a sponge and warm water (sometimes mixed with washing-up liquid) to dissolve the paste before scraping it off.
It works best on smooth textured lightweight wallpapers that haven't been painted over. You can test a section of wall to see how easy it is to remove. If the wallpaper comes away cleanly, then this method is the most efficient.
Potential Challenges, include uneven walls, where you scraper might actually dig in and damage the wall, vinyl and moisture resistant wallpapers, and where there's multiple layers or painted wallpaper. In these circumstances, it's best call a professional to save you hours of frustrating work with minimal results.
Scoring and Steaming
This method involves using a wallpaper steamer to force hot steam through perforations made in the paper with a scoring tool, dissolving the glue from behind. It requires professional tools, but is the most effective method of removing woodchip and other stubborn wallpapers.
You'll need a good quality steamer, low cost steamers sold in DIY stores typically won't be up to task, so it's a better to hire a professional unit.
Removing woodchip, even with a steamer is no easy task, and holding a hot and heavy steamer against the wall for hours on end is tiring. You also need to be careful not to apply too much steam to one spot, as it can end up softening the plasterboard underneath.
Chemical Strippers and Solvents
A chemical solution is applied to the wall to break down the wallpaper adhesive more effectively than water alone.
This method is best suited for standard wallpapers where water isn't quite strong enough. You'll need good ventilation due to the chemicals used, and it's often a messy job.
The sticky residue left by the stripper or solvent will need to be completely washed off the wall before you can paint or hang new wallpaper.
All these methods require significant time and effort, and even with care, wall damage is possible. For a faster, cleaner, and more predictable result, it’s usually worth getting a local quote from an experienced decorator.
Wallpapering Checklist
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.
- Check the contractor’s experience with wallpaper removal and redecorating.
- Confirm they have handled the type of wallpaper you need removed, especially for woodchip or textured wallpaper.
- Ask for a detailed quote covering labour, materials, and any wall preparation costs.
- Ensure they are fully insured and provide references from previous customers.
- Discuss the timeline for the job and confirm availability.
- Verify whether they can also handle painting or repapering after removal if needed.
- Agree on a written contract specifying the work scope, total cost, and payment schedule.
Consider these points before hiring a painter and decorator to remove your old wallpaper.
It's always worth speaking with a few different contractors and comparing their prices before making a hiring decision.
Even if the first quote you receive seems reasonable, getting multiple quotes from local painter and decorators
helps you weigh up your options and ensures you get the best value for your project.Ask a Trade
Got a question that only a tradesperson can answer? We have thousands of trades ready to answer any question you may have.
Ask your question
FAQs
Does the old wallpaper need to be removed?
It is highly recommended that previous wall-coverings are removed prior to wallpapering, this enables the new wallpaper to be applied to a sound surface. You can paper over old wallpaper, but the finish is hard to predict, you might get away with it, or it could be an absolute mess!
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.
