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In this guide
Types of wallpaperLabor
Enhancements
Additional Considerations
How much does it cost to install wallpaper?
Wallpaper can transform a space and add extraordinary texture and color. With a large variety of styles available, there is a perfect wallpaper for every home and budget. For this example, we’ll consider the cost of installing wallpaper to a 12’x18’ room with 10’ ceilings, which averages $400-$600 for DIY and $1000-$1300 for professional installation.
Wallpaper comes in rolls. A single roll of wallpaper averages 21 inches x 16.5 feet, for a total square footage of 4,158 square inches. However, all wallpaper manufacturers package their rolls in pairs, which means you can only buy single rolls two at a time, or you can buy a double roll, which is 21 inches x 33 feet, or 8,316 square inches. Wallpaper also comes in widths of 27 inches. Double rolls of wallpaper average $30-$50, although premium brands and styles can cost much more. To calculate how much wallpaper you need, calculate the square footage of the room and divide by the square footage of each roll.
Our example room will require just over double rolls, which means we would need 11 double rolls for a cost of $330-$550. It can be helpful to order a few extra rolls of wallpaper in case you make a mistake.
Types of wallpaper
| Name | Price | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Surface printed | $30-$50 | Standard use Classic form of wallpaper printing Involves layers of ink The resulting images aren’t as crisp |
| Screen printed | $60-$80 | Stencils 1 used to apply the paint to the wallpaper Good for small spaces with limited sun exposure |
| Vinyl 2 | $35-$55 | Vinyl 2 is added on top of paper Makes the paper water and UV ray resistant Good for bathrooms and kitchens |
| Vinyl 2 coated | $40-$60 | Presents an extra layer of protective coating Commonly used for bathrooms, kitchens and areas exposed to sun |
| Custom colored | $100+ | Custom printed to match your preference and design style Must be professionally installed |
Labor
Professional wallpaperers charge an average of $50-$70 per double roll of wallpaper, meaning the labor costs for this project would be $550-$770. Some wallpaperers charge per hour, with an average rate of $25-$40 per hour.
Labor costs can increase with the addition of extra prep work, including:
- Repair wall cracks and holes: this can be done by simply filling in holes with a drywall compound 3 (available for around $10) and sanding 4 it down.
- Water damage: minor water damage can be smoothed with a layer of drywall compound 3. Larger water damage that causes the wall to bow and warp likely means the drywall 5 needs to be replaced. If that is the case, hire a professional to fix the problem for around $150.
- Peeling paint and uneven drywall 5: wallpaper can make flaws appear even worse, so the best way to smooth the drywall 5 is to cover it with a smooth layer instead of sanding 4 it down. It is best to hire a professional for this, who should be able to smooth most drywall 5 for $100-$250.
Enhancement and improvement costs
- Premium wallpaper can cost up to $400 per single roll. The popular grasscloth 6 material averages $80-$120 per roll. Faux leather wallpaper averages $250-$350 per roll. Silk wallpaper averages $100-$150.
- Removing old paper typically costs $0.50-$1.00 per square foot for professional services. DIYers can purchase a tub of wallpaper removal paste for $50 and do the work themselves.
Additional considerations and costs
- Some homeowners can save money by purchasing the wallpaper themselves and then hiring professionals to hang it. Discontinued or out-of-season wallpaper can be discounted as low as $5 a roll.
Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet
Definitions in laymen's terms, cost considerations, pictures and things you need to know.See full cheat sheet.
1 Stencils: A design or pattern created by forcing paint or ink onto a flat surface using a thin sheet of perforated material (also called a stencil)
2 Vinyl: A synthetic plastic made from ethylene and chlorine. Vinyl has many applications in the construction industry and it is widely used in sidings, window frames, roofing and gutters, among others
3 Drywall compound: A material used to fill and smooth over gaps between sheets of drywall to produce an even, flat wall. It is made of gypsum, clay and latex resin that is then mixed with water
4 Sanding: Process of removing the top surface of a material, such as wood, using sandpaper and/or a specialized sanding machine (for large surface areas)
5 Drywall: Type of plasterboard, commonly used to build walls and ceilings, composed of gypsum that is layered between sheets of heavy paper
6 Grasscloth: A natural, textured type of wallpaper, made from various types of grass or other natural materials. It is attached to a rice paper backing. Grasscloth is environmentally friendly because the material is renewable
How much does it cost to install wallpaper in my city?
Cost to install wallpaper varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.
Labor cost by city and zip code
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