We take old wallpaper down without wrecking the wall behind it: paper and adhesive removed, torn drywall sealed, walls repaired and primed for paint or new wallpaper.
Wallpaper removal typically costs $2 to $4 per square foot, more when old paper was hung without primer or has been painted over. The price includes stripping the paper, washing off the adhesive and basic patching. Skim coating damaged walls is $2 to $5 per square foot. We usually remove and re-hang in the same visit.
Prices are typical ranges for labor, not a quote. Send photos and we confirm a firm price, usually within hours.
We find out what we are dealing with: strippable, peelable, traditional paper, vinyl or paper that has been painted over.
Strippable layers come off dry; the rest is scored, soaked or steamed so it releases without gouging the wall.
Old paste left on the wall makes new paint crack and new paper fail. We wash it off completely.
Where the paper facing of drywall tears, we seal it before any patching so it does not bubble.
Patch gouges and seams, or skim the whole wall when it needs it, sanded smooth.
Primer for paint, or a wallcovering primer if new wallpaper is going up.
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Strippable / peel-off wallpaper | $2 – $3 per sq ft | Comes off dry; adhesive still has to be washed off |
| Traditional paper or vinyl | $3 – $4 per sq ft | Scoring and steaming, more adhesive cleanup |
| Painted-over or unprimed paper | From $4 per sq ft | Slow removal and usually drywall repair |
| Skim coat / wall repair | $2 – $5 per sq ft | When the wall underneath is damaged or uneven |
| Primer | Included when we re-hang | Wallcovering primer before new paper |
Hanging something new afterwards? See peel and stick installation, grasscloth and our pricing guide.
Selected projects from our portfolio. See all projects.
New York City, Long Island, Westchester County and northern New Jersey: Manhattan · Brooklyn · Long Island · The Hamptons · Westchester · Hoboken · Montclair.
Typically $2 to $4 per square foot, depending on the paper and how it was hung. Painted-over or unprimed paper costs more. Skim coating damaged walls is $2 to $5 per square foot.
Yes. Removing, repairing, priming and re-hanging is one of our most common jobs, and it is cheaper than hiring two trades.
We do not recommend it. Moisture from new paste or paint can loosen the old paper, and seams show through. Removing it properly is cheaper than redoing a failed job.
Sometimes the wall is already damaged under the paper, especially if it was hung on unprimed drywall. We seal and repair it so it is ready for paint or new wallpaper.
Yes, including plaster walls. In buildings from before 1978, paint under old wallpaper may contain lead; tell us the building's age and we will talk through testing before work starts.
A typical room takes one day to strip and clean. Skim coating and priming can add a day for drying.
Text 2-3 photos and the wall sizes. You get one firm total, usually within hours.
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