How to prepare walls before hanging wallpaper

Wallpaper shows every flaw underneath, so the result depends on preparation. Strip old paper completely, repair and fill cracks and holes, sand the wall smooth, seal it with a size or primer suited to the paste, and hang lining paper where the surface is uneven or the paper calls for it. Make sure new plaster is dry and damp is fixed before you start. Plan preparation as its own step, with time for filler and lining to dry, and tell the client how many days it takes before the first decorative length goes up.

Papering over old paper risks bubbles and peeling as the old layer lets go under the new paste. Score vinyl or painted papers, soak or steam them, and scrape carefully to avoid gouging the plaster. Some vinyls peel dry, leaving a backing that also has to come off or be sound enough to paper over. Note the number of layers on the visit: it changes the time a lot.

Stripping is wet and messy. Cover floors with absorbent sheets, protect skirtings, switch off and cover electrical sockets with care, and take down curtains and pictures. Ask the client to clear the room or move furniture to the centre.

A size or a primer seals the wall so it doesn't suck the paste dry, and lets you slide the paper to match the pattern. On porous or newly filled surfaces it also evens out absorption. Follow the paper and paste manufacturers' guidance for the product to use.

Lining paper gives a smooth, even base on walls with small imperfections, on old plaster, or under thin, expensive or natural papers. Hang it horizontally or vertically depending on the method, so its joints don't line up with the joints of the wallpaper on top. Let it dry before hanging the decorative paper.

New plaster must be fully dry before papering; paper traps moisture and can stain or fall off. Seal it as advised for new plaster. Damp patches, mould or salts mean a cause to find and fix first: a leak, condensation, rising damp. Papering over damp only hides it for a while.

Gloss or silk paint on walls gives paste little grip; a light sanding or a suitable primer helps. Paint skirtings, frames and ceilings before papering, not after, so you don't risk splashing the new paper. Agree this order with the client or the decorator if someone else does the painting.

The exact number of days depends on the walls and drying times. Tell the client the room will be out of use for that period, and the date to have the wallpaper on site.

Papering around sockets and switches neatly means loosening faceplates. That work must be done safely, with the power off, or left to someone qualified, according to the rules where you work. Agree with the client beforehand who handles it.

On Book, each service has a name, a price and an optional description shown on your public page. Create separate services for "Wall preparation day" and "Paperhanging day", so the client sees both steps. Once a job is agreed, open slots on the dates you plan and book the client into them yourself from your calendar, with the address and rooms in the booking note; with one place per slot, those days no longer appear on your public page. The client receives a confirmation with a calendar file when you add their email.

Durations and prices are examples: set your own. If drying takes longer and hanging must move, reschedule it from your bookings list and tell the client yourself, since Book doesn't email clients about changes. Book costs €5/month, everything included: unlimited services and bookings, no commission, no contract.