How much does wallpaper installation cost?

If you do it right, installing wallpaper can create a polished, modern look in any room. For renters, removable wallpaper can even be a great decor option if you're not allowed to paint your walls. For homeowners and renters alike, you can use it to create an accent wall that adds pattern and texture to your space.

While you could DIY installation, it can be tricky and time-consuming to hang your wallpaper right — especially if you don't have an extra set of hands to help. Fortunately, professional wallpaper hangers can help.

Before you hire a professional to hang wallpaper in your home or office, learn about average wallpaper installation prices, and discover the types of services professionals offer so you can get a better estimate of your project.

Some wallpaper hangers may charge an hourly rate. On average, these professionals charge $45 an hour for wallpaper installation and repair services.

Here are the main factors that will impact the cost to wallpaper your rooms.

What type of wallpaper do you want?

The type of wallpaper you choose to install will either be a removable, peel-and-stick wallpaper or a more traditional paste-on. Some paste-on papers come pre-pasted. Removable wallpaper is the best option for renters because you can take it off without damaging the walls when you move out.

Traditional wallpaper also comes in different types and textures. Vinyl wallpaper tends to be better in bathrooms and kitchens, while printed wallpaper is better in living rooms, bedrooms, and other rooms that won't have excessive moisture.

Basic vinyl wallpaper, which is non-woven, often pre-pasted, paper-backed, washable, and paintable, is the simplest to install. One Thumbtack pro and wallpaper installer in Washington D.C. charges $3.22 per square foot to install vinyl wallpaper. To hang more expensive luxury or designer wallpaper with a pattern or texture, it could cost nearly $8 per square foot.

So, installation for an 8x6 foot (48 square feet) wall would cost $155-$385 in total.

What's the size of your rooms and walls?

Most wallpaper installers will set prices based on the square foot size of your wall. They'll measure the size of your room while factoring in ceiling height and the number of windows, doors and closets. Before you ask a professional about prices, get your wall measurements and ceiling height for a more accurate quote.

How many rolls of wallpaper do you need?

Standard wallpaper prices range from $25-$50 for a single roll. A roll is usually enough to cover 30 square feet. So, for an 8-by-10-foot wall (80 square feet), you'd need 2.7 rolls of wallpaper to cover it, so you'd buy three (t's always better to have too much than too little). This will cost $75-$150 for the paper. When hiring a professional, ask about the number of rolls needed for the job.

What are the labor rates in your area?

The hourly cost for an individual wallpaper hanger or company will vary depending on how many people they use to install everything and how experienced they are. For example, a Thumbtack pro based in New York, NY, and has a team of experts who can get the job done. They recently completed an accent wall that took three hours to complete and cost $375.

If you're going with a seasoned wallpaper hanger, chances are the price for the job will be more expensive because you're paying for their years of experience.

Is this a residential job or a commercial job?

Does your office or commercial building need new wallpaper with a specialty design or logo? That kind of project will be more expensive than wallpapering a bathroom or hanging paper on a feature wall in your living room in your home.

Will you buy the wallpaper or will you use theirs?

Ask the paper hanger if they will supply the wallpaper for you to choose from and build that into the cost or if you can buy the wallpaper yourself for them to use. Wallpaper costs depend on the type.

Vinyl is the most common material, but there is also surface printed, peel and stick or removable wallpaper, screen-printed, vinyl-coated, custom colored options, foil, fabric and flock. Special luxe wallpaper options include faux leather wallpaper, grasscloth and silk wallpaper.

The price for a single roll of specialty paper will be higher, and (especially if it's tricky to hang) the labor costs can be more as well.

Do your walls need repairs?

A wallpaper installation service will charge more if your walls need prep work. This is necessary if your walls are in poor condition and need repairs. On average, drywall repairs cost $288-$623.

Do you need to remove the existing wallpaper?

If the professional needs to remove old wallpaper, you'll need to pay more in total. Wallpaper removal costs $300-$600, on average.

It doesn't have to be expensive to hire someone to hang wallpaper in your home. Here are some tips to consider to save money on installation.

Buy the wallpaper yourself

This is often the number-one tip when it comes to saving money on wallpaper installation: buy the paper yourself. Double rolls of wallpaper average $30-$50, although premium brands and styles can cost much more. While most home improvement stores will sell it, you can also find modern designs online.

To figure out how much wallpaper you need, calculate the square footage of the room and divide it by the square footage of each roll. A 12'x18' room with 10' ceilings may require about 11 double rolls. Discontinued or out-of-season wallpaper can be discounted as low as $5 a roll.

You might also want to offer to buy the materials your expert needs, like masking tape and paper, surface repair and preparation materials, primers and cleanup supplies.

Consider wallpapering one accent wall

If you love the idea of hanging wallpaper but can't justify the price of putting it up on every wall in your room, consider adding it to just one accent wall. Wallpaper is more expensive than paint, so you can lower your budget by only covering one wall and using paint on the rest. For inspiration, check out wallpaper ideas on Pinterest.

Before you hire a wallpaper installer or hanger, don't just ask about their costs — ask about their past projects, specializations and referrals. When interviewing potential wallpaper installers or contractors, be sure to ask:

• Will you charge by the job or by the hour? Know the cost of the wallpaper installation job as well as if they add on charges if unforeseen problems arise.
• How many wallpaper hangers will be there to work on the job? Ask if the person you're communicating with (the business owner) will be doing the wallpaper installation job themselves or if it'll be someone who works for them and if so, how many people will be working on the room?
• Will you remove the old wallpaper? Some contractors charge more for this, and others build it into their price — be sure to ask about it and how you can prep the room beforehand.
• Do you give free estimates? You'll probably want to interview a few professionals before hiring someone. So make sure they give you a free estimate for the project before they visit.
• Do you have referrals? You'll find ratings and reviews on Thumbtack, but any professional should feel comfortable passing references along to new potential customers.
• Can you share photos of previous jobs? Look at photos of previous work on their profile or ask for an online portfolio.
• Do you have a minimum charge? Often, contractors don't want to do jobs that are too small — it's not always worth their time and effort. One Thumbtack pro in Kansas City, MO, requires a minimum job cost of $200.
• Do you have any certifications? Some of the professionals on our site have attended the U.S. School of Professional Paper Hangers or have a similar professional background.
• Will you clean up after the job is done? This should be part of the wallpaper hanger's service, but it's worth making sure you have it outlined in the contract that they will clean up any messes before leaving.
• How many rolls will the job require? If you're buying the wallpaper yourself, ask how many rolls you will need to have.