What does wallpaper removal typically cost in New Brunswick?

Wallpaper removal in New Brunswick typically runs $1.50–$4.00 per square foot, with most rooms falling in the $300–$800 range for labour alone. The wide spread comes down to a few key variables — and in older NB homes especially, those variables can make a big difference.

The biggest cost driver is what's underneath. Homes built before the 1980s — think the post-war bungalows common in Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John, or the Victorian-era homes in Uptown Saint John and the University Avenue area of Fredericton — often have plaster walls rather than drywall. Plaster holds up well to steaming and scraping, which actually makes removal somewhat easier. The trouble is when the wallpaper was applied directly to unprimed drywall (common in 1970s–90s construction), the paper face of the drywall tears away with the wallpaper, requiring skim coating or even drywall replacement before you can paint. That repair work can add $1–$3 per square foot on top of removal costs.

Typical price ranges for New Brunswick:

• Basic single-layer on primed drywall or plaster: $1.50–$2.50/sq ft
• Multiple layers (common in older homes that were papered over several times): $2.50–$4.00/sq ft
• With drywall repair/skim coating needed: Add $1.50–$3.00/sq ft
• Full room (12×12, single layer): $400–$700 all-in including prep and cleanup
• Whole-house projects: $2,000–$6,000+ depending on scope

Labour in New Brunswick is generally more affordable than in Toronto or Vancouver — you're not going to pay big-city rates here — but skilled painters and finishing tradespeople are in demand, particularly in the Greater Moncton area right now, so don't expect rock-bottom pricing if you want quality work.

Is this a good DIY project? Honestly, yes — for a single room with accessible walls. You'll need a scoring tool, a pump sprayer or steamer (rentable from most NB tool rental shops for $40–$80/day), drop cloths, and patience. The chemical fabric softener/water mix is a popular DIY trick and works reasonably well. Where DIY goes sideways is when people rush the process, tear the drywall face, and end up with a wall that needs professional skim coating anyway — which costs more than hiring someone to remove it properly in the first place.

If you're in an older home and unsure what's under the paper, it's worth having a painter take a look before you commit to a DIY approach. They can assess the wall condition and give you a realistic picture of what you're getting into.

No permit is required for wallpaper removal — it's purely cosmetic work. Browse painters and interior finishing contractors in the New Brunswick Construction Network directory to get a few quotes and compare.