Wallpaper Installation Estimate Template
A wallpaper installation estimate should price by roll or by square foot, then add separate lines for wall prep and priming, removal of existing paper, pattern-match or mural complexity, and difficult access like stairwells and ceilings — with a materials deposit taken before ordering. ShowTheReceipts saves each of those as a reusable line and holds the deposit before the paper is ordered.
Header block
- Business name, license, insurance, phone
- Client name and job address
- Rooms and wall count measured
- Estimate number, valid-until date, deposit terms
Estimate lines
- Hang labour — per roll or per square foot
- Wall prep — patching, sanding, sizing
- Priming — wallpaper primer, per wall or room
- Removal of existing paper — hourly or per sq ft
- Pattern / mural complexity — 15–30% surcharge
- Difficult access — stairwells, ceilings, high walls
- Materials — paper, at cost or with markup, deposit taken
Where wallpaper jobs go wrong
| Risk | Line that covers it |
|---|---|
| Three layers of old paper | Removal, hourly — not fixed |
| Unprimed or damaged drywall | Prep + priming, separate lines |
| Large repeat, drop match | Complexity surcharge + roll allowance |
| Stairwell or 14-ft ceiling | Access line |
Removal is the line that eats fixed-price jobs. Never quote it flat before you’ve seen a test strip come off the wall.
Order the paper on a deposit, not on trust
Wallpaper is custom-ordered and usually non-returnable, and on a designer job the paper can cost more than the labour. Take a deposit that covers the material in full before you place the order.
Measure in single-roll equivalents
Quote in single-roll equivalents even when the paper sells in doubles, and add a waste allowance sized to the pattern repeat. Under-ordering a discontinued run is the one mistake you can’t fix on site.
What not to do
- Don’t fold removal into the hang price
- Don’t order paper before the deposit clears
- Don’t quote a large repeat at plain-paper roll counts
- Don’t absorb stairwell and ceiling work as “part of the room”
Frequently asked questions
Should wallpaper be priced by the roll or by square foot?
Per roll (or single roll equivalent) is the trade standard, commonly $40–$100 per roll hung depending on market and complexity. Square-foot pricing reads better to homeowners on large open walls — quote the way you estimate, and show the wall count either way so nobody is surprised.
How do I charge for removing old wallpaper?
As its own line, hourly or per square foot, and never included in the hang price. Removal is the single most unpredictable part of the job — one room strips in two hours, the next has three layers over unprimed drywall and takes two days.
Do I charge extra for a pattern match?
Yes. Large repeats, drop matches, and murals waste material and add hours of layout. Add a complexity surcharge — commonly 15–30% — and increase the roll allowance, because a big repeat means real waste you'll otherwise pay for.
Should I take a deposit for wallpaper?
Take a materials deposit covering the full paper cost before ordering, plus a scheduling deposit on larger jobs. Wallpaper is custom-ordered, often non-returnable, and frequently costs more than your labour — you should never be the one financing it.