Wallpaper removal

Wallpaper Removal in North & Central New Jersey

Stripped, washed, repaired, and skim coated, so the paint that follows actually holds.

The Sterling standard

The paper is the easy part. The wall underneath is the job.

Most wallpaper disasters we get called to fix started with someone yanking paper dry and gouging the drywall, or worse, painting straight over leftover adhesive. Paint over paste will crackle and peel, sometimes within weeks. Doing it right means scoring the paper, softening the adhesive with steam or a stripping solution, pulling the paper and backing in layers, and then the step most people skip: washing every square foot of the wall to remove residual paste.

Once the wall is clean and dry, we repair what the paper was hiding: gouges, torn facing, old seams. On most older walls we apply a skim coat before painting, because decades under paper leaves a surface too rough and scarred to take paint cleanly. Then an appropriate sealing primer, and the wall is genuinely ready for a finish coat, not just covered up.

We handle single rooms through whole houses, multiple layers, and painted-over paper, and we bundle the repaint into the same project if you want it, typically with Benjamin Moore Regal Select. Written proposal in 48 hours, 2-year written workmanship warranty, veteran-owned since 1998. And if you want new paper hung instead, we work with a trusted wallpaper installation specialist, just ask.

✓ Backed by our 2-year written workmanship warranty

How we do it

Our wallpaper removal process.

Strip, Wash, Repair, Skim, Prime

Protect & Score

Floors and trim covered, outlets taped off. The paper face is scored so steam and solution can reach the adhesive behind it.

Steam & Strip

Steam or stripping solution softens the paste, then paper and backing come off in layers. Patience here is what prevents gouged walls.

Wash Off Adhesive

Every square foot washed to remove residual paste, then rinsed. Paint applied over leftover adhesive will fail, so we never skip this.

Repair & Skim Coat

Gouges, torn facing, and old seams repaired, then a skim coat where the surface needs it to bring the wall back to smooth.

Prime Paint-Ready

A sealing primer locks down the repaired surface. From there we hand you a paint-ready wall or carry straight through to the finish coats.

Common questions

Wallpaper removal questions.

Can you remove wallpaper that has been painted over?

Yes, though it is slower because paint blocks the steam from reaching the adhesive. We score more aggressively and work in smaller sections. We flag painted-over paper at the estimate so the timeline and price are accurate upfront.

Will my walls need repair after the paper comes off?

Almost always some. Old paper hides seams, gouges, and patches, and stripping can lift small areas of drywall facing. Repair and skim coating are built into our process, so you are not left with a torn-up wall and a separate bill.

Can I just paint over the wallpaper instead?

We advise against it in almost every case. Seams telegraph through paint, and moisture from the paint can bubble the paper off the wall. Removal costs more upfront and is dramatically cheaper than fixing a painted-over wall later.

How long does wallpaper removal take?

A standard room usually runs 2 to 4 days including adhesive washing, repairs, and skim coat. Multiple layers or painted-over paper extend that. Your written proposal includes a specific timeline for your rooms.

Ready for a straight answer and a written price?

On-site visit. Written proposal within 48 hours. No obligation.

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