Updated 27 September 2026
Hang wallpaper cost UK 2026
The going rate for hang wallpaper in 2026 is £12–£16/m² (labour only). Below: a calculator, what the job involves, materials at three price levels, and the prep that changes the price.
Market band£12–£16/m²
Worked example, 25 m²£378
Time on site1.5 days
Hang wallpaper calculator
Price a real job freeUses your rates, your speed and your receipts.
Market band source: Checkatrade.
What the job involves
| Stage | Task | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| prep | Move furniture, sheet and mask | 0.5 h |
| prep | Prepare and size walls, mark plumb lines | 0.05 h per m² |
| hang | Hang, match and trim | 0.3 h per m² |
| paint | Clean up, touch in, rehang | 0.25 h |
Materials at three price levels
| Material | Budget | Trade | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wallpaper paste tub | £6 Ready-mix paste — About 5–6 rolls a room | £9 Solvite all-purpose / heavy-duty — Holds vinyls and heavy papers | £14 Paste-the-wall adhesive, tub — For paste-the-wall papers |
| Filler, caulk, abrasives and tape job | £10 Filler, caulk, sandpaper — T2B: £60–£120 room materials incl. paint | £15 Toupret filler, decorator caulk, abrasives, tape — Crisp edges, no cracks | £22 Premium fillers, low-tack tape, dust-free sanding — Lived-in homes |
Trade prices ex VAT, estimates checked 2026-09-27. Log your receipts in Grafto and your own prices replace these.
What changes the price
- Paper? standard · paste-the-wall · lining paper · large pattern match big effect
- Old paper to strip first? no · yes big effect
- Who supplies the paper? customer · me
- Room empty? empty · furnished
Good practice
- Lining paper supplied as part of the job
- Large repeats waste more paper: order extra rolls
Prep to look for
| Condition | Check | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Water or damp stains | brown rings, tide marks or mould on walls or ceiling | Seal stains with stain block; paint won't hide them. Fix any live damp first |
Questions
How much does hang wallpaper cost in the UK in 2026?
The researched market band is £12–£16/m² (labour only), from Checkatrade. A worked example of 25 m² comes to about £368–£394 across budget, trade and premium materials.
How long does hang wallpaper take?
The worked example of 25 m² takes about 1.5 working days.
What changes the price of hang wallpaper?
Mainly paper, old paper to strip first, plus any prep found on site: water or damp stains.
More decorating prices
Paint a roomPaint walls or ceilings (per m²)Hall, stairs and landingDecorate a whole house (interior)Paint internal doorsPaint skirting and architraveStrip wallpaperPaint house exterior (masonry)Paint fascias and soffitsPaint or stain a fenceKitchen cabinet resprayPaint radiatorsPaint an exterior doorPaint timber windows (exterior)Stain or oil deckingPaint a garage door