Schedule Consultation
Every wallpaper job is different. We would like to schedule a walk through to get an idea of the equipment needed to complete your project.
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Wallpaper Removal in Western New York
| Scope of Work | Typical Cost | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Remove 1 layer of modern vinyl or paper on primed drywall | $1.20 – $3.00 / ft2 ≈ $450 – $950 per 12 × 12 ft room |
Score, soak/steam, strip, light glue wash-down |
| Multiple layers, 1950s glue, or unprimed drywall | $3.50 – $5.00 / ft2 | Extra dwell time, aggressive gel removers, walls often disintegrate, more labour, debris disposal |
| Add skim-coat & sanding (paint-ready) | + $3 – $5 / ft2 | Two passes setting compound, pole-sand, dust control |
| Full repaint after removal (walls & trim) | $3.75 – $7 / ft2 | Removal, prep, primer-sealer, two finish coats |
| Minimum job charge | $750 – $1000 | Covers one crew-day, travel, insurance, disposal |
Cost Drivers You Can Control
- • Wall construction - primed drywall strips fastest; bare drywall often needs skim-coating.
- • Number of layers & adhesive type - 1970s clay glue or vinyl-over-vinyl adds substantial labour.
- • Ceiling height & room congestion - 9 ft+ ceilings, built-ins, heavy furniture increases setup and job time.
- • Moisture & smoke staining - may require solvent primers.
DIY vs Professional
DIY kit: $70 – $150 rental & supplies, 12-20+ hrs labour per mid-sized room, risk of substantial substrate damage.
Professional crew: Wallpaper steamers, enzyme gels, decades of experience, insured workmanship.
What Carrigan Painting clients typically spend:
- Standard 12 × 15 ft room (one vinyl layer + Level-5 skim + paint): $1,700 – $2,800
- Whole-house (8–10 rooms) projects: $10 k – $14 k
We have accumulated all the special tools to remove wallpaper quickly and efficiently. We’ve seen it all—and removed most of it. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, it just will not come off!
DIY Wallpaper Removal
This could be a weekend project if you're okay on ladders. It’s totally doable for most homeowners. Everything you need is available locally, and YouTube has great tutorials. But if you’d rather hire out the job, we’d be happy to give you a free estimate. When we bid wallpaper removal, we include patching and priming.
When Wallpaper Just Won’t Come Off
It does happen. We use wallpaper removal steamers it's faster, easier, and often cleaner than scoring and DIF. However, sometimes even with a steamer, it still refuses to come off. In this case, our only option is to seal it into the wall and then paint. This is a last resort option and is strongly discouraged.
Wallpaper Removal: The Hidden Factors
Sometimes wallpaper was installed to hide defects in the walls or ceilings that aren’t noticeable until removal. Multiple layers of wallpaper may be installed without proper prep, further complicating removal. Damage can occur in the process—sometimes avoidable, sometimes not. You won’t know how easily wallpaper will come off until you start. Even in the same room, three walls may strip beautifully and the fourth may be stubborn.
Wallpaper can also hide cracks, holes, bumps, and bulges. Once removed, these hidden issues must be repaired before painting.
For over 15 years, Carrigan Painting has provided expert wallpaper removal services in Amherst, Clarence, Lancaster and beyond! Our long-standing commitment makes us a reliable choice for homeowners who want it done right.
Call Carrigan Painting Today
716-697-3560Highly Rated
Insured
Integrity
The 3-Step Project
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Step 1
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Step 2
Schedule the Work
Our scheduling is pretty flexible.
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Step 3
We Get It Done!
Buffalo winters aside, we show up on time and get the job done, so you can move on!
5 stars, 15 years strong.
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