Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Wallpaper Installation
Wallpaper Installation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Wallpaper Installation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Wallpaper Installation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Wallpaper Installation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Wallpaper Installation labor cost? What are the important Wallpaper Installation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Wallpaper Installation - Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a fair price for Wallpaper Installation? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Wallpaper Installation expect to pay between $1.37 to $2.44 per square foot. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
| Is a permit needed for Wallpaper Installation work? | Design approval and permits from your local building department are not required for Wallpaper Installation. If your home is subject to homeowner association (HOA) covenants, you should verify that your Wallpaper Installation project complies with association guidelines. |
| Is it worth using a professional to perform Wallpaper Installation work? | The appearance, functionality and useful life of the wallpaper adhesive may be compromised by poor installation. Hire the service provider carefully and tie payment milestones to appropriate quality checks (use the list below). |
| Is Wallpaper Installation something that I can do myself? | The typical Wallpaper Installation project can be completed by a moderately skilled do-it-yourselfer; as with any project, high quality Wallpaper Installation requires attention to detail and careful planning. |
| How many days are typically required to complete the Wallpaper Installation work? | Normally, this work can be completed in 1 day. |
Wallpaper Installation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Wallpaper Installation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Wallpaper Installation work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- The layout, location, style and finish appearance of ALL materials used in Wallpaper Installation will be approved by owner, before any work begins
- All wallpaper from the same manufacturers lot
- All wallpaper seams will be joined and edge glued per manufacturer approved methods; finished seam will be straight, flat and completely free of adhesive residue
- Patterned wallpaper seams will be installed so that patterns match to within 1/64 inch along the entire length of each seam
- The wallpaper finish will be free of drips, runs, brush marks, roller marks and dust
- No wallpaper or clean up residue will be left on adjacent finished surfaces, trim plates, fixtures or grilles
- The wallpaper finish will have uniform color depth and appearance in all lighting conditions
- Adjacent surfaces, materials and fixtures will be protected from stray 0; any 0 clean up will be performed by safe, non-destructive means, only after owner approves of clean up method
- The wallpaper surface and surface finish will be free of surface defects, irregularities and any physical damage
- There will be no wallpaper adhesive on hardware, trim plates or fittings; attached hardware and fittings should be removed prior to wallpaper adhesive application, whenever possible
- A thin bead of transparent caulk will be used to seal and waterproof all border edges
Wallpaper Installation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Wallpaper Installation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the wallpaper adhesive work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.
- Complete written contract, including scope of work, quality checks, warranty, timing and payment terms; ensure that contract is signed before work begins
- Review material choices for Wallpaper Installation with the homeowner before work begins - consider toxic exposure, allergic risks and environmental factors; purchase construction materials only after approval
- Select, specify and order wallpaper adhesive; verify that type, grade, finish, size, color, any options, and quantity are clearly identified in the order; make sure that delivery date, terms and damage provisions are included in the order
- Prepare area for safe, efficient work; move items that restrict work access or are vulnerable to damage; cover and protect items that cannot be moved
- Carefully remove fixtures, fittings, finish plates, grilles, knobs, pulls and trim that will be reinstalled later; label and safely store these items for later use
- Fill holes, cracks, gaps with compatible patching material; finish patch to match surrounding surface shape, texture and color
- Clean, sand and remove dust from surface to be finished
- Caulk gaps of less than 1/4 inch with a smooth, clean bead of an appropriate caulking material
- Apply a smooth, even coat/layer of sizing and adhesive
- Apply 2 smooth, even coats of wallpaper to all exposed surfaces, with a light sanding and dust removal before each coat
- Reinstall pre-existing fixtures, fittings, finish plates, knobs, pulls, grilles and trim
- Inspect Wallpaper Installation and verify that all quality requirements and punch list items are completed correctly
- Save and label extra wallpaper adhesive for future repairs; make sure that manufacturer, model, color, lot and any other identifying information is noted on the label
