How to Charge for Taking Down Wallpaper

Pricing for wallpaper removal can vary based on the size and degree of difficulty.

While wallpaper may not be as popular as it used to be in new-home construction, older homes with new occupants often have several walls with unwanted wallpaper. Wallpaper removal can be a difficult task, and many people simply don't want to do it. Wallpaper removal has turned into a lucrative business, and giving your customers a fair rate based on square footage and difficulty of removal will give you an advantage in pricing over your competitors.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Calculator
• Scraper

Instructions

1. Remove a small sample of the customer's wallpaper. This will give you a general idea on how difficult the wallpaper is to remove. The more challenging the wallpaper, the more time it will take to remove. The more time it takes, the more money you will have to charge. When giving your customer an estimate, it's important to factor in time and not just materials.

2. Measure the walls by feet and determine the overall square footage. Square footage can be determined by multiplying the width of the wall by the length. Most contractors will charge anywhere from $2 to $20 per square foot depending on the difficulty of the job.

3. Multiply the square footage by the price per square foot based on your assessment of how difficult the job will be to complete. Factor in man hours and materials needed when determining the degree of difficulty. The number you get from multiplying the square footage by the price will give you the estimated cost.

4. Give the customer an estimated price for the removal. The price will most likely flux 15 percent to 20 percent based on how the job actually goes, but giving the customer an estimate will help her decide whether she wants to use your services or not.

5. Budget materials based on the lower end of the estimated price. More materials can always be acquired if the job is more challenging than anticipated. If a job proves to be easier or more difficult than the estimate, it is not uncommon to renegotiate a new price with the customer.

Tips & Warnings

• Check competitors' prices in the area before beginning to take estimates.

References

• "Cost Helper"; Wallpaper Removal Costs; 2011
• "Cost Owl"; How Much Does Removing Wallpaper Cost?; 2011