The highest return per dollar in interior work
Nothing else changes how a room reads for so little money. Replacing three-inch builder base with seven-inch base and adding proper casing and crown transforms a plain 1960s Valley room, and it costs a fraction of any other renovation. If you are on a limited budget and want the biggest visible change, this is where we would spend it.
What separates good trim from bad trim
- Coped inside corners, not mitred. Mitred inside corners open up as the house moves. Coped joints stay tight.
- Glued and pinned joints. Every outside corner glued, every scarf joint glued. Caulk is not a joinery method.
- Nailed into framing. Located, not guessed.
- Filled and sanded. Nail holes filled with wood filler, sanded flush, primed. Not spackle smeared over and left proud.
- Scribed to the floor. Floors are not level. Base is scribed or shoe moulding is added deliberately rather than leaving a gap.
What we install
- Baseboard in any height and profile, with shoe or quarter round
- Crown molding, including built-up multi-piece crown and inside-corner returns
- Door and window casing, aprons, stools and jamb extensions
- Wainscoting, panel moulding, picture-frame moulding and chair rail
- Board and batten, shiplap and vertical slat feature walls
- Coffered and beamed ceilings
- Fireplace mantels and surrounds
- Stair skirtboards, treads, risers, newels and balusters
- Closet shelving, cubbies and built-in bookcases
- Cable and outlet integration inside feature walls so nothing is surface mounted
Cost
Baseboard installation generally runs $8 to $14 per linear foot including material, caulk, filler and paint. Crown runs $12 to $28 depending on size and whether it is single-piece or built-up. Board and batten accent walls typically run $900 to $2,400 per wall. Coffered ceilings and full wainscoting are priced per room after a site visit.
Do you paint the trim too?
Yes. Filled, sanded, primed and two finish coats. Unpainted trim is not a finished job.
MDF or solid wood?
MDF is straighter, cheaper and paints beautifully - correct for painted trim in dry interior areas. Solid wood for stained trim, bathrooms and anywhere moisture is a risk.
Can you match my existing profile?
Usually. If it is discontinued we can build it up from stock profiles or have it milled.
How tall should my baseboard be?
Generally five and a quarter to seven and a quarter inches for standard eight and nine foot LA ceilings. We bring samples and hold them on the wall.
