Wallpaper Removal

Wallpaper removal is one of the most requested services in Metro Vancouver's older neighbourhoods, where decades-old wallpaper — sometimes multiple layers — covers walls in heritage homes, Vancouver Specials, and mid-century ranchers across Kerrisdale, Marpole, Hastings-Sunrise, and beyond. While it may seem like a straightforward DIY task, professional removal prevents the costly drywall damage, gouging, and uneven surfaces that commonly result from improper technique, especially when dealing with older adhesives or wallpaper applied directly to unprimed drywall. Professional wallpaper removal in Metro Vancouver involves scoring the wallpaper surface, applying a steam or chemical stripping solution to dissolve the adhesive, and carefully removing the material in sections without tearing the paper face of the drywall beneath. Multiple layers — common in older homes that have been wallpapered two or three times over the decades — require patient, methodical work. Once stripped, the walls are washed to remove residual adhesive, skim-coated or patched where needed, sanded smooth, and primed to create a flawless surface for new paint or fresh wallpaper. Pricing for wallpaper removal in Metro Vancouver ranges from $500 for a single accent wall or small bathroom to $3,000 for multiple rooms or complex multi-layer removal. A typical bedroom in a Burnaby or New Westminster home costs $600 to $1,200, while a full main-floor removal in a larger home can reach $2,000 to $3,000. Factors that increase cost include multiple wallpaper layers, wallpaper applied directly to unprimed drywall (which requires more careful removal and more extensive skim coating), and the presence of lead paint beneath older wallpaper in pre-1980 homes. All contractors in our network carry WorkSafeBC coverage and liability insurance, use proper dust containment when sanding, and leave your space clean and ready for the next step — whether that is a fresh coat of paint, new wallpaper, or decorative finish.

Find a Painting Contractor