Change the Wallpaper of the Apartment

Change the wallpaper of the apartment. We ​will explain the three points to check and the cost.

There may be times when you want to change the wallpaper of an apartment you purchased, when the stains start to stand out or you want to refresh your mood. At that time, do you wonder if "Is it okay to change the wallpaper of the apartment?" ​As a premise, in the case of a rental property, there is an obligation to restore the original condition, so basically the wallpaper cannot be replaced. In this article, if you want to change the wallpaper of the purchased property, we will tell you the estimated cost of changing the wallpaper and the DIY method.

Three points to check before changing the wallpaper of the apartment

Apply to management association
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has established a standard called "standard management rules", and many condominiums throughout Japan have the same or similar standards as the standard management rules. The standard management rules stipulate that "when attempting repairs or remodeling, owner must first apply to the president of the management association and obtain written approval." Actually, it depends on the rules of each condominium, but in most cases, when the resident changes the wallpaper, owner must apply to the management association in advance and obtain approval. You don't have to be overly rigorous, even if you need approval, because it doesn't go through such a rigorous review. If the application is approved, you can freely change the wallpaper within the approved range, so be sure to apply without ignoring the rules.

Know the structure of an apartment
If the condominium structure is reinforced concrete, wallpaper may be attached directly to the concrete surface. In this case, you cannot attach the wallpaper neatly unless you choose a wallpaper that can be attached directly to concrete. In particular, if the wallpaper is laminated and has an antifouling effect, it will be difficult to stick it in a flat state. Choose a wallpaper that suits the structure of your condominium, and be careful not to create a different finish than the image.

Know the type of wallpaper
The wallpaper used in the condominium is mainly divided into two types: mass production cloth and general cloth. We will introduce each feature together with the materials used.

Mass production cloth
Industrial cloth is a mass-produced cloth that often has a simple design, but the advantage is that it is cheap and available. Since the wallpaper is of high quality and has both durability and mildew resistance, it is used in many rental houses and houses for sale. Various manufacturers are producing, but the format has not changed significantly. Instead of having no special personality, it is a wallpaper produced with the concept of suppressing costs and supplying standard wallpapers.

General cloth (1000 series cloth)
General cloth is a cloth sold by wallpaper makers, and it is a wallpaper that mainly uses vinyl cloth such as vinyl chloride resin. Although it is more expensive than mass-produced cloth, it has the advantage that it has abundant colors and designs, so it is easy to prevent stains, and there is also wallpaper that has the function of absorbing moisture. This is a wallpaper that each manufacturer puts effort into producing, and they are renewing and selling a pattern with a volume that is several times the volume of mass production cloth. Therefore, it will be expensive, but you can find unique wallpapers, and you can search from many samples, from calm designs to designs that please children.

Breakdown of costs for changing wallpaper in the apartment

When changing the wallpaper of a condominium, both the material cost of the wallpaper itself and the cost of the construction to attach it will be required. The fee varies depending on the material of the wallpaper, the size of the room, and the details of the construction work, so check the price quotes for each item.

Wallpaper costs
As we mentioned earlier, usually either the mass production cloth or the general cloth is used for the wallpaper of the apartment. It is worth considering that the cost price per 1 sqm is 800 to 1,000 yen for mass production cloth and 1,000 to 1,500 yen for general cloth. Assuming the size of a typical room, let's take a look at the market price of wallpaper material costs.

Room size	Mass production cloth	General cloth
8 tatami (approximately 12.96 ㎡)	45,000-54,000 yen	54,000-81,000 yen
10 tatami (approximately 16.2 ㎡)	51,000-64,000 yen	64,000-96,000 yen
12 tatami (approximately 19.44 ㎡)	56,000-70,000 yen	70,000 to 105,000 yen

In the case of a general cloth, there is a difference of about 500 yen per ㎡ between the cheap price and the high price, so the larger the room, the more different the price. Also, if you select a "luxury cloth" that exceeds the performance and design of ordinary cloth, the price will be even higher.

Cost for replacement work
The re-covering work includes construction costs, curing costs, groundwork processing costs, and disposal costs for old wallpaper. Depending on the construction company, the wallpaper fee may include the construction fee, so check in advance whether the construction fee is required separately. When the construction cost is separate, if the above work is enough, the price of the cost is about 20,000 to 50,000 yen. However, if you move a large piece of furniture, such as a piano, or need special curing, you will generally be charged an additional fee.

Is it possible to do a DIY wallpaper replacement?

It's possible to change the wallpaper in DIY, but you'll need to procure the wallpaper yourself, and you'll need to buy glue, a cutter, and a resin roller to make it flat. All of these items are sold as a set, so it's convenient to purchase at a home improvement store or interior shop. DIY costs include the cost of adhesives, in addition to the cost of wallpaper sold at the store. In the case of a room of about 8 tatami mats, if you choose a cheap wallpaper, you will be able to refill from about 20,000 yen to 30,000 yen. It's a good idea to try DIY if it's a small room or make an accent wall, as it can save you money. However, if you don't want to fail in a wide range of construction work, it is safer to ask a construction company that seams will not stand out and there will be no problems with bubbles or deviations.

Summary

Even if you purchase a condominium, it is generally not allowed by the rules to change the wallpaper without permission, so be sure to apply to the management association and obtain approval before changing the wallpaper. The market price for refilling varies depending on whether it is a mass production cloth or a general cloth, and if you ask the construction company, the wallpaper fee may include the construction cost.
The wallpaper affects daily life, so it depends on the area to be replaced, but it is safer to ask a reliable construction company than DIY.