Wallpaper work splits into two very different skills: stripping old paper off walls without tearing up the drywall underneath, and hanging new paper (or grasscloth, peel-and-stick, or vinyl mural panels) with straight seams and no bubbles. Fort Mill's mix of newer builds in Baxter Village and Springfield alongside older homes near downtown means crews here run into both scenarios often, from steaming off decades-old paper backed with plaster-damaging adhesive to installing accent walls in nurseries and dining rooms.
What the job actually involves
Removal typically means scoring the old paper, applying a stripping solution or steam, scraping it off in sections, then skim-coating and sanding any gouges before the wall is paintable or ready for new paper. Installation involves measuring and pattern-matching rolls, sizing the walls with primer or sizing solution, and cutting panels to account for pattern repeat, outlets, and corners. Both steps take patience: rushing removal gouges drywall, and rushing installation leaves visible seams or trapped air.
What to look for in a contractor
Ask whether they'll skim-coat and prime after stripping, not just scrape and leave. Ask how they handle pattern matching on large-repeat prints, since that's where DIY jobs usually fall apart. Get a sense of who's doing the physical work, an experienced solo hanger or a crew, since consistency across a large room depends on one person controlling the seams.
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