How much does it cost to repaint a previously wallpapered room in Ottawa?

Painting over wallpaper removal is one of the most common — and most frequently underestimated — painting projects in Ottawa homes. The wallpaper itself is only half the battle; the wall repair afterwards is what drives the cost.

Ottawa Pricing Breakdown

Here's what to expect in the Ottawa market:

Wallpaper removal + painting (full service):

• Small bedroom (100–120 sq ft floor): $800–$1,400


• Average room (150–200 sq ft floor): $1,200–$2,000


• Large living/dining room (250+ sq ft floor): $1,800–$3,000

Wallpaper removal only (per sq ft of wall):

• Standard strippable wallpaper: $1.50–$2.50 per sq ft


• Painted-over wallpaper: $2.50–$4.00 per sq ft


• Vinyl wallpaper: $2.00–$3.50 per sq ft


• Multiple layers: $3.50–$5.00+ per sq ft

Wall repair after removal (per sq ft):

• Light skim coat: $1.50–$2.50 per sq ft


• Heavy skim coat (full walls): $2.50–$4.00 per sq ft


• Drywall patching (where paper tore): $3.00–$5.00 per sq ft

Painting (after walls are prepped):

• Two coats with primer: $2.00–$3.50 per sq ft

All-in, Ottawa pricing runs about 10–15% below the GTA for equivalent work.

The Hidden Costs Most Homeowners Miss

The biggest variable in this project is what's under the wallpaper. In older Ottawa homes — particularly those in the Glebe, Rockcliffe Park, Old Ottawa South, and Westboro — you might find:

• Plaster walls (pre-1960s homes): Wallpaper removal from plaster is generally cleaner than drywall, but any damaged plaster sections need proper lime-based patching — $200–$500 per room if significant repairs are needed
• Unprimed drywall: If the original installer hung wallpaper directly onto unprimed drywall (alarmingly common in 1970s–1990s Ottawa homes), the paper facing of the drywall will tear off with the wallpaper. This means the entire wall needs skim coating — potentially adding $500–$1,000 per room
• Multiple layers: Opening walls in some older Ottawa homes reveals 3, 4, even 5 layers of wallpaper accumulated over decades. Each layer adds time and cost to removal

What a Professional Job Looks Like

Here's the process a skilled painter follows:

Score the wallpaper with a perforation tool to allow stripping solution to penetrate

Apply wallpaper remover (enzyme-based solutions work best) and allow dwell time

Strip wallpaper in sections using broad scrapers — this is tedious, messy work

Remove adhesive residue — often requires a second wash with TSP or wallpaper remover

Assess wall damage — this is where the real scope becomes clear

Skim coat as needed — thin layers of drywall compound over the entire wall to create a smooth surface

Sand smooth — 150-grit, then 220-grit

Prime with a high-quality sealing primer (Zinsser Gardz is the industry standard for post-wallpaper walls — it seals the paper fibres and prevents bubbling)

Two coats of finish paint

Can You Just Paint Over Wallpaper?

Technically yes, but it's rarely a good idea. The seams will show through paint, any loose edges will lift further, and Ottawa's humidity fluctuations (from bone-dry 15% in winter to 70%+ in summer) will cause wallpaper paste to soften and bubble under the paint. If you're investing in painting, invest in proper removal first.

The one exception: vinyl wallpaper in good condition with no seam lifting can sometimes be successfully painted with a bonding primer. A professional can assess whether this is viable for your specific situation.

Getting Accurate Quotes

Because the wall condition under wallpaper is unpredictable, many Ottawa painters quote wallpaper removal in two phases: a firm price for removal and a wall repair estimate that may be adjusted once the wallpaper is off and they can see the actual condition. This is reasonable — a painter who gives a firm fixed price without knowing what's underneath is either padding the quote significantly or planning to cut corners on wall prep.

Browse Ottawa Paint Contractors in the Ottawa Construction Network directory to find painters who specifically list wallpaper removal as a service. This is a labour-intensive specialty that not every painter enjoys or excels at.