If you've been searching for wallpaper removal near me in the Twin Cities, you're not by itself. Thousands of Minnesota homeowners are updating their homes by stripping outdated wallpaper and replacing it with fresh, modern paint. But wallpaper removal is one of the most deceptively difficult home improvement projects — and DIY attempts frequently end in damaged drywall and frustration.

This guide covers everything you need to know about hiring a professional wallpaper removal service in the Twin Cities metro.

Why Twin Cities Homes Have So Much Wallpaper

Minnesota experienced a massive wallpaper boom from the 1960s through the early 1990s. Builders and homeowners used wallpaper extensively because:

Long winters meant more time indoors, driving demand for decorative interiors
Open floor plans hadn't arrived — smaller rooms encouraged bold wall treatments
Wallpaper was trendy — floral, geometric, and textured patterns dominated the era

The result? Over 60% of Twin Cities homes built before 1990 have at least one room — and often an entire house — covered in wallpaper that's now 30-60 years old.

Types of Wallpaper Found in Twin Cities Homes

Wallpaper Type	Era	Removal Difficulty	Common Location
Standard paper	1960s–1980s	Moderate	Bedrooms, living rooms
Vinyl-coated	1970s–1990s	Difficult	Kitchens, bathrooms
Fabric-backed vinyl	1980s–1990s	Very difficult	Bathrooms, laundry rooms
Borders only	1990s–2000s	Easy to moderate	Kitchens, bathrooms
Painted-over wallpaper	Any era	Very difficult	Anywhere
Multiple layers	Decades of updates	Extremely difficult	Older homes

The most challenging situations we encounter in the Twin Cities are multiple layers (sometimes 3-4 applications deep) and wallpaper applied directly to unprimed drywall — a common shortcut by Minnesota builders in the 1970s and 1980s.

Professional Wallpaper Removal Cost in the Twin Cities

Project Scope	Typical Cost Range
Single room (avg. 12x12)	$400 – $800
Bathroom	$300 – $600
Kitchen	$500 – $1,000
Whole house (3-4 rooms)	$1,500 – $3,500
Multiple layers (per room)	Add $150 – $300
Includes painting after	Add $300 – $600/room

Pricing depends on wallpaper type, number of layers, wall condition underneath, and room size. Vinyl and painted-over wallpaper cost more because they require additional time and specialized techniques.

Our 6-Step Wallpaper Removal Process

Step 1: Assessment & Testing

We test a small section to identify wallpaper type, number of layers, adhesive type, and wall condition. This determines the best removal method and gives you an accurate estimate.

Step 2: Room Protection

We cover floors, furniture, and adjacent surfaces with drop cloths and plastic sheeting. Wallpaper removal involves water and solutions — protecting your home is essential.

Step 3: Scoring & Solution Application

We score the wallpaper surface to allow our professional-grade removal solution to penetrate behind the paper and dissolve the adhesive. This is where experience matters — too aggressive scoring damages drywall, while insufficient scoring means the solution can't reach the glue.

Step 4: Systematic Stripping

Working in sections, we strip wallpaper and backing paper, keeping the wall surface wet enough for easy removal but not so saturated that it damages drywall. This patient technique is what separates professional results from DIY disasters.

Step 5: Adhesive Removal & Wall Cleaning

After the paper is gone, adhesive residue remains on the walls. We use TSP (trisodium phosphate) cleaning and additional solution application to remove every trace of glue. Painting over residual adhesive causes bubbling, peeling, and poor finish quality.

Step 6: Wall Repair & Prep

We patch any damaged areas, skim coat rough spots, sand smooth, and apply primer. Your walls are left perfectly prepared for paint — or we can handle the painting too.

DIY vs. Professional Wallpaper Removal

Factor	DIY	Professional
Time per room	2-4 days	4-8 hours
Wall damage risk	High	Minimal
Solution application	Often uneven	Precise and thorough
Adhesive removal	Residue remains	Complete removal
Drywall paper tearing	Very common	Rarely occurs
Total cost (including repairs)	$200-500+ in materials, plus repair costs	$400-800 per room, all-inclusive
Stress level	Extremely high	Zero — we handle it

The most common DIY mistake is tearing the drywall paper face by pulling wallpaper too aggressively or using improper tools. Once the paper face is torn, the wall requires skim coating to restore a smooth surface — adding significant time and cost.

Common Wallpaper Removal Challenges in Minnesota Homes

Multiple Layers

Many Twin Cities homes have been wallpapered multiple times over the decades. Each layer requires separate treatment, and older adhesives can be significantly harder to dissolve than modern ones.

Wallpaper on Unprimed Drywall

In the 1970s and 1980s, many Minnesota builders applied wallpaper directly to unprimed drywall. This creates a nightmare scenario where the wallpaper adhesive has bonded to the drywall paper face. Removing it without professional technique virtually guarantees wall damage.

Painted-Over Wallpaper

Previous homeowners sometimes painted over wallpaper instead of removing it. The paint layer seals the wallpaper, preventing removal solution from penetrating. This requires scoring, steaming, and extra patience.

Bathroom and Kitchen Wallpaper

High-moisture areas in Twin Cities homes often have vinyl wallpaper designed to resist moisture — which also means it resists removal solutions. These projects require specialized techniques and additional time.

What Happens After Wallpaper Removal?

Once the wallpaper is gone and walls are prepped, most homeowners choose to paint. We offer complete wallpaper removal and painting packages so you can transform your space in a single project. Our interior painting services include:

Color consultation to modernize your space
Premium Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams paints
Two coats of paint over proper primer
Clean, crisp lines and professional finish

How Long Does Wallpaper Removal Take?

Project	Timeline
Single room, one layer	1 day
Single room, multiple layers	1-2 days
Bathroom (vinyl)	1 day
Whole house (3-4 rooms)	3-5 days
Whole house with painting	5-8 days

We work efficiently without rushing — protecting your walls is always the priority.

Why Choose Advanced Painting Services for Wallpaper Removal Near Me

When Twin Cities homeowners search for wallpaper removal near me, Advanced Painting Services delivers:

15+ years of Minnesota wallpaper removal experience
verified five-star Google reviews from local homeowners
Family-owned — work directly with the owner, Cody Morrison
Damage-free guarantee — we protect your drywall
Complete service — removal, repair, prep, and painting
Free estimates with no-pressure, transparent pricing

We've removed wallpaper from hundreds of Twin Cities homes — from single accent walls to entire houses with 4+ layers. No wallpaper situation is too difficult for Cody.

Service Area

We provide wallpaper removal services throughout the Twin Cities metro including Shoreview, White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, Roseville, Maplewood, Arden Hills, New Brighton, Blaine, Lino Lakes, Hugo, Mounds View, North Oaks, Fridley, Columbia Heights, and surrounding communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I should remove wallpaper or paint over it?

We always recommend removal. Painting over wallpaper creates a surface that eventually peels, bubbles, and looks unprofessional. The seams show through paint, and future removal becomes even harder.

Can you remove wallpaper from plaster walls?

Yes. Plaster walls — common in older Minneapolis and St. Paul homes — actually handle wallpaper removal better than drywall because the surface is more durable. We adjust our technique for plaster vs. drywall.

What if my wallpaper has asbestos?

Wallpaper itself rarely contains asbestos, but some adhesives from the 1960s-1970s may. If you have concerns, we recommend testing before removal. We can guide you through the process.

Do you offer free estimates?

Yes! Contact us at (763) 290-2786 for a free, no-obligation wallpaper removal estimate. We'll assess your specific situation and provide transparent pricing.

Get Your Free Wallpaper Removal Estimate

Ready to finally say goodbye to that outdated wallpaper? Contact Advanced Painting Services at (763) 290-2786 for a free estimate. As the Twin Cities' trusted wallpaper removal experts, we'll transform your walls from dated to modern — without damaging your home.

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Wallpaper Removal Near Me in the Twin Cities: Cost, Process & What to Expect