Residential
Wallpaper Removal in Northern Virginia
Old wallpaper off, walls repaired and sealed, ready for paint. We remove paper, vinyl and borders without gouging the drywall, then take the walls all the way to a clean finish.
What We Remove
Traditional paper, vinyl-coated and solid vinyl wallcoverings, grasscloth, borders, and the painted-over wallpaper common in older Fairfax, Arlington and Alexandria homes. Every job starts with a test patch, because how the paper comes off depends on the type, the adhesive, and whether the wall was primed before it was hung. Strippable papers peel in sheets; paper hung on unprimed builder-grade drywall is slow and delicate. Powder rooms, kitchens, dining rooms and the borders left over from the nineties are the usual candidates. We also handle the aftermath — adhesive residue, torn paper face, small gouges — because a wall that looks clean after stripping still needs sealing and skimming before it takes paint evenly.
How We Remove and Prep
We cover floors, trim and outlets and switch off power to the wall outlets before any water is used. The top layer is scored and peeled, then the backing is softened with a steamer or a warm remover solution and lifted with wide blades held flat so the drywall's paper face stays intact. Adhesive residue is washed off with clean water until the wall no longer feels tacky. Once dry, we skim-coat torn spots and gouges, sand them, and check the wall under raking light. The whole wall then gets a primer made to lock down any remaining paste, because latex paint applied over old adhesive bubbles and peels. After that, the wall is ready for paint.
What to Expect
Removal is slower than painting and harder to predict, so we scope it after a test patch at the walkthrough instead of guessing. A single room of strippable paper can be done in a day; multiple layers or unprimed walls take longer, and we tell you before we start. The room needs to be clear of furniture near the walls, and there will be some water and mess — all contained with plastic and cleaned up each day. Bathrooms and powder rooms are handled with the fixtures covered. Once the walls are sealed and skimmed, we can paint them in the same project, so the room goes from dated paper to finished walls with one crew and one schedule.
What's Included
Everything below is part of the written quote — not an extra, not an upsell.
- Test patch to identify the paper type and adhesive
- Floors, trim and outlets protected; outlet power switched off
- Top layer scored and peeled; backing steamed and lifted
- Adhesive residue washed off until the wall is no longer tacky
- Gouges and torn drywall skim-coated and sanded
- Walls checked under raking light before sealing
- Walls sealed with a primer that locks down remaining paste
- Daily cleanup; painting in the same project on request
Our Gold Standard Process
A simple, proven process for beautiful, long-lasting results.
1. Consultation
We listen, learn about your goals, and provide a detailed quote.
2. Color Guidance
Get expert advice on colors and finishes that fit your style.
3. Surface Preparation
We properly prep every surface for maximum durability.
4. Precision Painting
Our skilled team delivers flawless, professional results.
5. Final Walkthrough
We ensure you're 100% happy before we consider the job complete.
Paints We Use
Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore lines matched to each surface — and your quote names the product before we order it.
- Walls after removal (sealer)
- Sherwin-Williams Extreme Block Stain Blocking Alkyd Primer
- Benjamin Moore Fresh Start Multi-Purpose Oil-Based Primer
- Skim-coated areas
- Sherwin-Williams Premium Wall & Wood Primer
- Benjamin Moore Fresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer
- Finish coats
- Sherwin-Williams Duration Home
- Benjamin Moore Regal Select
Official Sherwin-Williams & Benjamin Moore partner
Pricing
What Does It Cost?
Every quote is written for your project after we have seen the surfaces, measured the rooms and talked through paint and prep. The cost guide shows the typical ranges Northern Virginia homes fall into and what moves the number; the instant price calculator applies those ranges to your own rooms or siding.
Every range is confirmed after a free on-site walkthrough.
Ranges reflect 2026 Northern Virginia rates for licensed, insured crews and premium paint (Sherwin-Williams / Benjamin Moore). Your written quote is fixed after the walkthrough — no surprises.
Served from our Tysons, Chantilly, Annandale and Manassas offices.
See All LocationsFrequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions we hear most often about this service.
Can I just paint over the wallpaper?
It is possible on tightly bonded paper with sealed seams, but we rarely recommend it. Seams and texture telegraph through paint, and any future removal becomes much harder because the paint locks the paper in place. Removing it now and prepping the wall properly gives a better finish and a cleaner wall for the next owner.
Will removing wallpaper damage my drywall?
Not when the paper is softened properly and lifted with flat, wide blades. Damage happens when dry paper is scraped, tearing the drywall's paper face. Unprimed drywall from a builder install is the most delicate case; we test a patch first, work slowly, and skim-coat any spots that do lift.
How long does wallpaper removal take?
A single room of strippable paper is usually a one-day job. Multiple layers, painted-over paper or paper hung on unprimed drywall can take two or three days once skimming and sealing are included. The test patch at the walkthrough tells us which case you have, and we put the timeline in writing.
Why do the walls need a primer after the paper comes off?
Even a well-washed wall keeps traces of paste in the surface. Latex paint reactivates that paste and bubbles or peels within weeks. A sealing primer locks the residue down and gives the finish coats a uniform surface, so the primer step is never skipped on a wallpaper job.
Can you paint the room after the wallpaper is removed?
Yes. Removal, skim coating, sealing and two finish coats can be scoped as one project, so the room goes from dated paper to finished walls on a single schedule with one crew. You can also stop after the prep if you plan to hang new paper or do the painting yourself.
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