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Picture this: you’re ready to refresh a room with a clean coat of paint or modern décor, but before you can begin, there it is—the old wallpaper. Outdated florals, faded stripes, or even a textured vinyl design that’s overstayed its welcome. Removing it feels like the first big hurdle in your makeover.
That’s when most homeowners ask the same question: how long does it take to remove wallpaper? The honest answer is—it depends. Factors like the wallpaper type, wall condition, and tools you use can either make the job a breeze or a frustrating project.
Here we’ll walk through everything you need to know before you start peeling.
✔ Wallpaper removal can take anywhere from 2–4 hours for a small wall to 2–3 days for a large or multi-room project, depending on layers, adhesive, and tools.
✔ Removing wallpaper isn’t always hard—modern strippable or peel-and-stick papers come off easily, while older, painted-over, or layered wallpaper can be much more difficult.
✔ Walls can be damaged during wallpaper removal, but using proper techniques like dampening, scoring, and gentle scraping helps prevent tears, gouges, and oversaturation.
✔ DIY wallpaper removal is low-cost but time-consuming and physically demanding, while hiring professionals offers faster results, repair services, and less risk of mistakes.
✔ Professional wallpaper removal costs typically range from $40–$80 per hour or $0.60–$3 per square foot, with pricing influenced by wall size, condition, and complexity.
If you’ve ever walked into a room covered in outdated wallpaper and thought, how long does it take to remove wallpaper?—you’re asking the right question. The reality is that wallpaper removal is anything but predictable.
The timeline can shift dramatically depending on the size of the space, how many layers of wallpaper are stacked on your walls, and the strength of the adhesive holding it in place.
A big concern for homeowners starting a renovation is whether wallpaper removal will be simple or a headache. Is removing wallpaper difficult? The honest answer is: it depends on the type of wallpaper, the adhesive used, and your patience level.
In these situations, people often find that taking wallpaper down is straightforward and can be completed quickly.
This is when many discover that removing wallpaper from drywall can feel like a battle rather than a quick task.
Even with the right supplies, issues may arise:
One of the most common concerns homeowners face is: does removing wallpaper damage walls? The honest answer is that it can—but wall damage is preventable with the right methods. Many people hesitate to begin because they’ve heard horror stories about torn drywall or uneven finishes. But with the proper tools and a little patience, you can remove wallpaper without leaving your walls in rough shape.
When taking down wallpaper, a few issues are most likely to occur:
These risks often make people ask, is it hard to remove wallpaper without harming the wall? The truth is, with careful steps, you can avoid these problems almost entirely.
Since professional installation starts at around $1 per square foot on top of the wallpaper material cost, it’s important to protect your walls during removal so you don’t end up paying more for repairs or reinstallation later.
If you’ve ever asked yourself how long does it take to remove wallpaper without damage, the answer is that careful, deliberate work might add time—but it greatly reduces the need for repairs later.
Even if you’re cautious, you may encounter a few problem spots. Fortunately, most issues are simple to fix:
This is one reason many homeowners weigh how much to remove wallpaper professionally compared to DIY. Paying a contractor often includes wall prep and repair, saving time and frustration.
With the U.S. wallpaper market projected to grow at a 3.7% rate from 2025 to 2030, demand for both professional services and DIY solutions is rising. This steady growth highlights that more homeowners are investing in wallpaper projects, making it important to choose the approach that best fits your budget and schedule.
Avoid peeling wallpaper off dry, as this can tear drywall and leave uneven spots. Don’t oversaturate the walls, since too much water weakens drywall. Aggressive use of sharp tools can also cause gouges. Always test a small section first instead of jumping straight in.
Wallpaper removal labor usually costs $40–$80 per hour Contractor’s setting how much to charge to remove wallpaper depend on the contractor’s skill, the complexity of the job, and whether wall repairs are required afterward.
Yes. Washing removes leftover adhesive that can interfere with paint or new wallpaper. Use warm, soapy water, then rinse and let walls dry fully for a smooth finish.
Yes. Painting over wallpaper often causes seams and peeling later. Removing it gives you a clean surface for paint or new décor, leading to better, longer-lasting results.
The biggest risk is damaging drywall by tearing or over-saturating it. Other serious issues include stubborn adhesive or hidden cracks that require repair once the wallpaper is gone.
At Fairfield Painting Contractors we don’t just paint—we also specialize in wallpaper removal services to give your walls a clean, smooth foundation. Our licensed and experienced team in Fairfield, CT, understands how tricky peeling, scraping, and prepping can be, and we know how to remove wallpaper without damaging the walls underneath. From start to finish, we focus on doing the job right the first time so you can enjoy flawless results.
Ready to transform your walls? Contact Fairfield Painting Contractors today for expert wallpaper removal and professional painting services.
