Wallpaper Removal
Old wallpaper carefully removed, drywall protected, walls returned to a clean, paint-ready or paper-ready finish across Southern California.
Removal that protects what’s underneath
Wallpaper removal is the unglamorous work that makes the next installation look perfect. Done badly, it gouges drywall, peels paper face, and leaves glue residue you’ll see through paint forever. Done well, it produces a smooth, sound substrate ready for the next finish — paint, paper, or texture.
We use the right combination of moisture, gentle scoring, and patience to remove wallpaper cleanly. We then wash off adhesive residue, repair damage, and prime to a uniform finish so whatever comes next has a perfect canvas.
What's included
- Inspection: paper type, age, adhesive, substrate
- Floor and trim protection
- Gentle scoring (where appropriate)
- Steam or solution-based softening
- Careful peeling and scraping with drywall protection
- Adhesive residue removal and rinse-down
- Drywall and plaster repair
- Sand, prime, and finish-ready handoff
How we install your wallpaper
On-site assessment
We identify paper type and substrate to choose the gentlest removal method.
Protect the room
Floors covered, baseboards taped, electrical safed, furniture moved if needed.
Score (if needed)
Strippable papers usually don’t need scoring; non-strippable do. We choose carefully.
Soften the adhesive
Steam or solution applied so paper releases without damaging drywall.
Remove paper
Strip and peel cleanly, working in manageable sections.
Wash adhesive residue
Until the wall squeaks clean — leftover paste shows through paint and paper.
Repair & prime
Patch dings, sand smooth, prime for the next finish.
What we work with
- Wallpaper steamers (residential & commercial grade)
- Citrus-based and enzymatic removal solutions
- Perforating scoring tools
- Plastic and broadknife scrapers (drywall-safe)
- Drywall patching compound and skim coat
- Adhesive residue rinses
- High-build wallcovering primer
- Stain-blocking primer for staining adhesives
What affects the cost of wallpaper removal
- Number of layers (some homes have 3+)
- Whether wallpaper was originally primed underneath
- Substrate type — drywall vs plaster
- Adhesive type and difficulty of release
- Room size, ceiling height, and accessibility
- Repairs needed after removal
- Whether walls are being papered or painted next
- Furniture and floor protection scope
We don’t publish flat per-roll pricing because every wall is different. Each quote includes a transparent line-item breakdown of prep, install, and materials so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
What to expect & how to prepare
- Most rooms remove in 1–2 days
- Multi-layer removal can extend to 3 days
- Plan to keep windows openable for ventilation
- Pets out of the room during steaming
- Allow drywall repair to fully dry before next finish
- New paint should cure 21–30 days before re-papering
Protect drywall, prep for what’s next
The two most common reasons removal goes wrong: too much force and not enough rinse. Force gouges drywall paper, leaving a fuzzy substrate that shows through everything you put over it. Skipping the adhesive rinse leaves a sticky film that telegraphs through new paint, peels new wallpaper, and stains down the line.
We slow down on both. Patient steaming, drywall-friendly scrapers, and a thorough adhesive wash before any priming. The result is a wall that disappears under whatever comes next — fresh paint, new paper, or a designer texture.
Why homeowners and designers choose us for wallpaper removal
Drywall-friendly methods
We protect the paper face of drywall — no gouges, no fuzzy peels.
Patience over force
Removal is mostly waiting — we wait, so the wall stays sound.
Total adhesive removal
We rinse until the wall is clean. Skipping this step ruins everything that follows.
Repair included
Patching, skimming, and priming are part of the scope.
Clean job sites
Plastic, tape, vacuum, repeat. We leave the room ready for the next phase.
Honest assessments
If a wall is too far gone for clean removal, we’ll tell you up front.
Wallpaper installation across Southern California
Common questions about wallpaper removal
Can I just paint over my old wallpaper?
Will removal damage my drywall?
What if there are multiple layers of wallpaper?
Do you handle painted-over wallpaper?
Can you remove wallpaper from plaster walls?
How do I know if my wallpaper has lead-based primer?
Will removal be messy?
Can I install new wallpaper the same day removal finishes?
Ready to start your wallpaper removal project?
Send a quick message and we’ll get back to you within 1 business day.