The Blog Single

DIY vs. Professional Wallpaper Installation

Welcome to the Topic “DIY vs. Professional Wallpaper Installation”.

When it comes to refreshing room aesthetics, wallpapers stand as a go-to choice for many. The allure of beautiful patterns, colours, and designs can instantly elevate a room’s ambience. But a significant consideration remains: Should you install the wallpaper yourself or hire a professional wallpaper hanger?

At Bluespec Decorating Limited, we’ve installed wallpaper in hundreds of homes across London and surrounding areas. This guide aims to provide clarity on both options, drawing from our years of professional experience. Whether you’re new to home improvements or have dabbled in decor before, we’ve got insights to help you navigate the world of wallpaper installation. Dive in, and let’s explore together!

DIY Wallpaper Installation

This guide aims to provide clarity on both options. Whether you’re new to home improvements or have dabbled in decor before, we’ve got insights to help you navigate the world of wallpaper installation. Dive in, and let’s explore together!

DIY Wallpaper Installation

The DIY route stands for “Do-It-Yourself.” Those who venture down this path face the challenge of wallpapering rooms alone. The endeavour requires certain tools. You’ll need wallpaper adhesive to stick the paper onto the walls. A brush or roller helps in evenly spreading this adhesive. A utility knife is crucial to cutting excess wallpaper and shaping it around corners. To ensure the wallpaper lies flat without bubbles, a smoothing tool also becomes indispensable.

Pros of DIY Wallpaper Installation

• Economical: Undertaking the task yourself might save you some bucks, especially if you already possess some of the tools.
• Sense of Achievement: Completing a home decor task can be incredibly satisfying, offering a sense of accomplishment.
• Adaptability: DIY allows you to work at your rhythm. If you wish to halt or make tweaks, it’s entirely up to you.

Cons of DIY Wallpaper Installation

• Time-Intensive: The process can be time-consuming if you’re new to wallpapering. Professionals, with their experience, generally wrap up faster.
• Mistake Prone: Being a novice might mean errors crop up. This could be in terms of misaligned patterns or bubbles. In our experience, common DIY mistakes include improper wall preparation, incorrect paste mixing, pattern mismatches, and visible seams. These errors can mean purchasing additional rolls of wallpaper, ultimately increasing costs.
• No Assurance: Unlike professional services, DIY doesn’t come with a guarantee. If things go amiss, it’s on you to rectify them. You may also void warranties on expensive designer wallpapers if not installed according to manufacturer specifications.
• Hidden Challenges: Many DIYers underestimate the importance of proper wall preparation, dealing with corners and obstacles like light switches, and matching complex patterns across multiple strips.

Professional Wallpaper Installation

This method involves hiring an expert wallpaper hanger. Professionals come with a wealth of experience. They’re adept at handling various wallpaper types- vinyl, fabric, or others. With a professional, you won’t need to fret about gathering tools. They arrive equipped with everything necessary, from adhesive to precise cutting instruments. Their expertise ensures that the wallpaper aligns perfectly with minimal wastage.

Pros of Professional Wallpaper Installation

• Skill: Professionals have done this many times. They know the tricks to ensure smooth, bubble-free finishes. At Bluespec Decorating Limited, our team has years of combined experience installing wallpaper throughout London, from period properties in Hampstead to modern apartments in Canary Wharf.
• Speed: They can finish the job quickly, saving you precious time. A professional team can typically complete an average-sized room in a single day, minimising disruption to your daily life.
• Equipment: They bring all the needed tools. You won’t have to hunt down a scraper or smoothing tool. Professional-grade equipment ensures better results than standard DIY tools.
• Perfect Results: Professionals understand pattern matching, seam placement, and how to handle tricky areas like corners, ceiling lines, and around fixtures. This expertise is particularly valuable with expensive or intricate wallpapers where mistakes are costly.
• Wall Preparation Expertise: Proper surface preparation is crucial for wallpaper longevity. Professionals know how to assess wall conditions, repair imperfections, apply primer sealer when needed, and ensure optimal adhesion.
• Warranty and Peace of Mind: Reputable professional installers stand behind their work with guarantees. At Bluespec Decorating Limited, we offer warranties on our installation services, giving you confidence in the investment.
• Material Knowledge: Professional installers can advise on the best wallpaper types for different rooms and conditions. They understand humidity concerns, high-traffic areas, and which adhesives work best with specific wallpaper materials.

Cons of Professional Wallpaper Installation

• Expense:  Professionals come with a price tag, often more than DIY. However, when you factor in the cost of potential mistakes, wasted materials, and tool purchases, the price difference narrows considerably.
• Hands-Off: While they work, you might feel out of the loop on decisions. However, professional installers should communicate throughout the process and involve you in key decisions.
• Scheduling:  It might be tricky to find a time that suits both you and the professional. At Bluespec Decorating Limited, we work flexible hours to accommodate our London clients’ busy schedules.
  

Factors to Consider When Selecting Between DIY and Professional Wallpaper Installation

Deciding between a DIY or professional approach for wallpaper installation isn’t just about what feels right. Various factors should be considered. Let’s explore them:

Budget

The most important thing that you must consider is the budget. Wallpapering can vary in cost and most depend on the way you opt for it.

DIY: Going the DIY route can be more pocket-friendly initially. You’ll primarily spend on the wallpaper and some essential tools if you don’t have them. While initial investments like buying a smoothing tool or adhesive might seem like added costs, remember they can be reused for future projects. However, factor in potential waste from mistakes—professional installers typically waste less than 5% of materials, while DIYers may waste 15-20%.

Professional: Hiring a professional wallpaper hanger will undoubtedly cost more upfront. You’re not just paying for the wallpaper but also their expertise, tools, and time. However, remember that a pro can often get discounts on bulk wallpaper orders, and their efficiency might mean fewer costly mistakes in the long run. When you consider the value of your time and the guarantee of quality results, professional installation often represents excellent value, particularly for premium wallpapers.

Time Availability

Your schedule can play a significant role in this decision.

DIY: While DIY gives you flexibility, it also demands a good chunk of your time. Preparing the wall, measuring, cutting, and putting up the wallpaper can stretch over days, especially if you’re new to it. Most first-time DIYers underestimate the time required by 50-100%.

Professional: With pros, the process is swifter. They have the routine down to an art. What might take you days could be completed in hours by a seasoned professional wallpaper hanger. Our team at Bluespec Decorating Limited typically completes residential projects within 1-2 days, allowing you to enjoy your transformed space immediately.

Skill Level

t’s essential to assess your skill level honestly.

DIY: If you’re a hands-on person who’s done similar tasks, you can opt for DIY wallpaper installation. But if your experience is limited to, say, painting a room, be prepared for a bit more challenge and learning. Wallpapering requires precision, patience, and attention to detail—skills that develop with practice.

Professional: Pros, as the name suggests, are skilled. Professional wallpaper specialists have handled countless projects and know how to tackle challenges that might stump the average DIYer. They’ve encountered every possible wall condition and complication, so nothing catches them off guard.

The Complexity of the Project

The Complexity of the Project

Not all wallpaper installations are created equal. The complexity of your specific project can influence your decision.

DIY: Simple projects, like a small room with straight walls, might be more manageable for DIY. But things can get tricky if you’re looking at spaces with many corners, windows, or intricate designs. Patterns that need alignment can be incredibly challenging. Complex patterns, especially large repeats or geometric designs, require mathematical precision and planning that comes with experience.

Professional: Choosing a skilled wallpaper specialist means opting for seasoned expertise. No matter the room’s size or intricacies, they’re equipped to manage. Be it a standard space or one with distinct features like pillars, curved entryways, sloped ceilings, or challenging architectural details, they’ve tackled it before.

If you’re thinking of splurging on premium wallpapers—designer prints, hand-painted wallpapers, silk or grasscloth materials—professional installation becomes even more crucial. These materials are often unforgiving of mistakes and may have specific installation requirements. Our team ensures these pricey and often delicate wallpapers are installed without a hitch, protecting your investment.

Room Type and Wallpaper Selection

Different rooms present unique challenges that may influence your decision.

High-Moisture Areas: Bathrooms and kitchens require specific wallpaper types and installation techniques to prevent peeling and mould. Professionals understand which adhesives and wallpapers work best in these environments.

High-Traffic Areas: Hallways and staircases benefit from expert seam placement and durable installation techniques that withstand daily wear.

Feature Walls vs. Full Rooms: A single feature wall might be a reasonable DIY project, while wallpapering an entire room—especially with pattern matching across multiple walls—is considerably more complex.

Why Choose Bluespec Decorating Limited?

When you’re ready to transform your space with professional wallpaper installation, choosing the right team makes all the difference. Here’s what sets us apart:

London Expertise: We specialise in properties throughout London and surrounding areas, from period homes requiring careful heritage consideration to modern apartments demanding precision and speed.

Comprehensive Service: Beyond installation, we offer consultation on wallpaper selection, wall preparation, and design advice to ensure your vision comes to life perfectly.

Quality Guarantee: We stand behind our work with comprehensive warranties, giving you peace of mind that your investment is protected.

Professional Standards: As a registered limited company with full insurance and VAT registration, we maintain the highest professional standards in every project.

Diverse Portfolio: From luxury residential projects in Mayfair and Knightsbridge to practical installations in family homes across North and West London, we’ve successfully completed projects of all scales and styles. View our portfolio of completed projects to see the quality of our work.

All Wallpaper Types: Whether you’ve chosen vinyl, fabric, grasscloth, textured, metallic, or specialty designer wallpapers, our team has the expertise to handle it perfectly.

Final Words!

Choosing to revamp your room with wallpaper can truly transform its ambience. Whether you tread the DIY route or call in the experts, the journey of wallpapering is filled with decisions and discoveries. The DIY approach lets you be in the driver’s seat, immersing in each step while relishing the satisfaction of personal accomplishment. However, Opting for professional wallpaper specialists enables you to sit back and watch your space evolve, thanks to skilled hands that have repeatedly done this. The ideal choice often concerns what sits well with your time, finances, and peace of mind.

If you think professionals might be the way to go, quality matters. So, to have professional wallpaper installation services, get in touch with Bluespec Decorating Limited. With a focus on excellence, your perfect room transformation is just a click away!