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

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.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

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

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