Hiring a Professional Wallpaper Installer the Right Way

When you're investing in custom wallpaper, choosing the right installer is just as important as selecting the right design. We've gathered the most important lessons from our years of experience to help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure a flawless result.

A Real Wallpaper Installer, or a Handyman?

Cheap can be very expensive. A general handyman might be able to align a few panels, but most lack the technical know-how for wallpaper installation. Real wallpaper installers understand materials, adhesives, wall prep, and how to avoid long-term issues.

One customer once told us her installer had 20 years of painting experience. Unfortunately, he painted the wall and installed the wallpaper the same day. The result? Trapped fumes lifted the peel and stick panels and permanently ruined the adhesive.

Hire a Professional the Smart Way

Start looking for your installer before you place your wallpaper order. Share details about the material you're planning to use, and ask directly whether they have experience with that specific type.

Not all installers work with peel and stick wallpapers. Some will only accept traditional materials, so it's always smart to ask ahead of time. One customer received her peel and stick mural only to discover that seven local installers refused the job. Avoid this situation by matching the wallpaper type with your installer's comfort zone.

If possible, provide a sample of the wallpaper beforehand so they can review it.

Stick to Traditional Materials with Traditional Installers

If you're hiring a professional wallpaper installer, especially one unfamiliar with peel and stick, traditional options are often best:

• Traditional Pre-Pasted: Easy to remove with water, won’t tear like old wallpaper. It’s ideal for renters who still want a professional finish.

• Traditional Non-Pasted: Our most traditional option fiber thick and sturdy ideal for professional jobs. 

• Traditional Canvas Non-Pasted: Requires glue and priming, but offers the most durable, professional-grade installation.

Wall Assessment Matters

Hire someone who will assess your wall before installation. Send pictures or have them inspect in person. Walls might need repairs, smoothing, or drying time before applying any wallpaper. Textured walls, especially, require extra attention and often need to be skim-coated for a smooth finish.

Trying to wallpaper directly over a textured wall? It can be done, but it won’t look professional. Expect issues like pattern misalignment and texture showing through.

The Right Wallpaper for the Right Wall

Always match your wallpaper type to your wall conditions. Peel and stick wallpapers are generally not compatible with textured or irregular surfaces. If the installer says "it should hold," but it doesn’t, that’s not the material’s fault. It’s about choosing the right product for your surface.

Avoid Installers Who Use Glue on Peel and Stick Wallpaper

This is critical. A wallpaper installer unfamiliar with peel and stick materials can unintentionally ruin your order. Peel and stick behaves very differently from pasted wallpaper, they are engineered to work exactly as their name suggests: you peel the backing paper and stick the panel directly to the wall. No additional adhesives are required or recommended.

The Issue: Sometimes, especially when working with installers who are more familiar with traditional wallpaper, extra wallpaper paste or glue may be added in an attempt to improve adhesion.

The Consequences: Adding extra glue to a peel and stick product is not only unnecessary, it can actively damage the wallpaper. Here’s what can happen:

• Bubbles forming under the surface after installation

• Poor adhesion or wallpaper not sticking at all

• Abrupt or partial detachment from the wall

• Discoloration or adhesive breakdown

• In some cases, strong chemical odors may develop over time

Peel and Stick vs. Traditional Wallpaper

Professional wallpaper installers often prefer traditional materials because that’s what they know. Peel and stick wallpaper behaves differently. It doesn’t stretch or conform like pasted wallpaper, and many "old school" installers haven’t worked with it.

But that doesn’t make it inferior.

Peel and stick is ideal for DIYers and renters. It allows for affordable installation and is removable without damage. It's perfect for nurseries, guest rooms, or any space where flexibility is key.

We install peel and stick murals every day. Our favorite for commercial use is Long Term Peel and Stick, thanks to its strong adhesive and clean finish. For homes, our Removable Peel and Stick offers beautiful results without the commitment.

Professional Means Knowledge

A true professional wallpaper installer understands overlap and the double-cut technique. If your installer doesn’t know what these are, that’s a red flag.

A pro either knows how to install your material or admits when they don’t. Blaming the wallpaper afterward is not professional behavior.

Still have questions? We’re here to help! Reach out any time or leave a comment below. Let's make sure your wallpaper installation is as beautiful as the design itself.