Wallpaper installer

(Baonghean) - Besides traditional crafts, many professions exist today that are closely linked to the needs of social development; there are no schools or training programs, and they are purely based on practical job requirements, such as the profession of wallpaper installer…

Wallpaper has become a popular choice for many people as an alternative to paint and tiles, which have become boring and inconvenient during construction. The emergence of this "building material" has truly brought more vibrancy and dimension to walls, creating a focal point in the interior design of a home. Consequently, the wallpapering business has also flourished, attracting many young people who can earn enough to support themselves and their families, and even build a stable life for themselves.

Ngo Xuan Long (on the right) instructs a new employee.

I met Ngo Xuan Long at the company headquarters (75 Dao Tan Street, Vinh City) while he was diligently teaching his trade to a new apprentice. Long recounted his story, the many hardships he faced in his early days in the profession. It was 2008, after completing his military service, Long and his friends went to Hanoi for a visit. At a friend's house, Long happened to see a craftsman meticulously applying glue and sticking colored paper onto a wall. The faded paint on the wall instantly brightened up.

Out of curiosity, I found out that the type of paper was called wallpaper, and the craftsman was completing the final steps to beautify the house. “For several days afterward, I felt mesmerized. I come from a farming family and had never known anything about using this beautiful material. So I eagerly researched and learned the trade, even asking the craftsman to let me try applying a piece, and he even praised my skillful hands and beautiful application. Now I don't know if I chose this profession or if the profession chose me,” Ngô Xuân Long confided.

From those first hesitant days, six years have passed. Without formal training, wallpaper installers like Long have to learn from the experience of others, even gaining valuable lessons from countless failures. Many times, Long has had to pay out of his own pocket to replace wallpaper for homeowners because the installed sheets were misaligned, warped, or not smooth, with uneven edges. Long shared that the job looks easy, but it requires skill, finesse, and above all, patience. Installing wallpaper on large walls can sometimes take a whole month. Just a moment of haste or impatience can ruin the application, altering the shape of the wallpaper and causing the wall to peel, requiring an all-over process. This wastes time, damages customer trust, and reduces the lifespan of the wallpaper.

Then, Long quickly set out tools like rollers, utility knives, rulers, and rollers, instructing the new apprentices while allowing me to observe the complex steps of wallpapering. According to him, to achieve a beautiful finished product, the wallpaperer must master many steps: preparing the wall surface to be clean, dry, and flat; measuring the wallpaper, meticulously calculating even the corners, gaps, and obstacles; calculating a pattern that harmonizes with the wall; mixing the adhesive according to a specific ratio and technique; and applying the adhesive to the wallpaper and the wall. The process involves construction and adjusting corners and edges to ensure harmony… “That’s just listing the steps, but in reality, many problems arise. For example, adjusting the patterns. Many homeowners avoid odd numbers, so we have to calculate so that the pattern is an even number when it reaches the end of the wall. Or, in large spaces, some areas need horizontal wallpaper, while others need vertical… Not to mention mixing the adhesive, which also depends on the actual construction. Craftsmen must accumulate experience from practical work to make a living in this profession,” Ngô Xuân Long further explained.

With years of experience in the profession, Ngo Xuan Long has now established his own company, confidently managing over 10 workers and undertaking numerous large projects in the city such as the Muong Thanh Song Lam Hotel, the Festival Palace, and the Oil and Gas Building… To keep up with trends, Ngo Xuan Long constantly seeks out unique products with improved designs and quality. The paper core is made of high-grade wood pulp, waterproof and resistant to tearing from weather effects, and the outer surface is coated with a classic plastic layer, making it very convenient for surface cleaning and extending the product's lifespan. Typically, the lifespan of a single application is about 8 to 10 years, depending on the type chosen by the customer, and the price ranges from 120,000 to 200,000 VND per square meter (all-inclusive). Ngo Xuan Long shared that many people still view wallpapering as a… frivolous job, not something that can last long, and often advise their children and younger siblings against pursuing this profession. However, in reality, the profession always rewards those with dedication. The average salary for skilled workers today is around 5-7 million VND per month, not including overtime pay, holiday pay, etc.

Starting out as a wallpaper installer, Ngo Xuan Long has been dynamic, closely following market trends and keenly adapting to new developments. Faced with the increasing number of wallpaper installation companies and high competition, young entrepreneur Ngo Xuan Long constantly updates his technology and construction materials to diversify his products, especially at the end of the year when demand for home decoration and renovation increases. Currently, Long is collaborating with architects and feng shui experts to expand his construction market, taking on projects in neighboring provinces such as Ha Tinh and Quang Binh.

Watching Long diligently instruct the new apprentices, admiring his rough yet skillful hands gently measuring and cutting the patterned paper, one realizes that whatever profession you pursue, you need to put your heart into it. It's not just about prestigious or high-class jobs; by adapting to the changing social landscape, young people can still find honest and sustainable livelihoods, and Ngo Xuan Long is a prime example.

Phuoc Anh