How much does crown moulding cost?
For a standard 5-inch profile, expect about $7 per linear foot, installed, with materials and installation included.
If you've seen $1 to $3.50 a foot online, that number is about 30 years out of date. Nobody installs anything for $1 a foot today, not even a small shoe moulding.
Price per linear foot by profile size
| Profile size | Installed price per linear foot |
|---|---|
| 5" | ~$7 |
| 7" | $7.50–$10 |
| 8" | $9–$10 |
| 9" | $12–$15 |
Prices move within each range depending on the profile you choose. Some profiles simply cost more than others, and that shifts the price up or down.
How we measure a room
Everything is priced by the linear foot. A linear foot is simply one foot of length, and we measure the perimeter of the room where the crown will go. We either come out to see the room or you send us the dimensions.
Take a 10 by 10 room: four walls of 10 feet is 40 linear feet. At $7 a foot for a 5-inch profile, that's $280 of crown moulding. That's the per-foot math. A single-room visit costs more, because travel and setup take the same time whether we do one room or four (see "How long it takes" below).
During the consultation we also look at anything unusual, like curved walls or vaulted ceilings. Once we've quoted, the price doesn't change on the day. The only things that change it are adding extra areas or switching to a different profile.
What's included
- Material: primed white MDF crown moulding in the profile you pick.
- Installation: done by our own crew, never subcontracted. We use installation techniques my father developed and we've kept refining for over 20 years. We aren't installers who learned the trade from YouTube.
- Finishing: every nail hole filled, and the top and bottom edges caulked with a premium caulk that doesn't shrink or open gaps. It's paint-ready a few hours after we finish.
Painting your crown moulding
Painting is your choice. Many clients do it themselves, and we encourage you to try. If you can climb a ladder, you can paint crown moulding. For large or detailed crown jobs, hiring a professional is worth it. We also offer painting at $3–$5 per linear foot, depending on the size of the crown and how far it sits off the floor.
Use the same flat paint that's on your ceiling. Crown moulding is part of the ceiling, so it should match it. If you want a little sheen, satin works well. Skip gloss: it looks tacky on crown. Gloss belongs on baseboards, door and window casings, doors and wainscoting.
Typical project totals
| Project | Typical cost (plus HST) |
|---|---|
| Bedroom (~50 ft), as part of a multi-room job | ~$400 |
| Living or dining room, as part of a multi-room job | ~$600 |
| One-bedroom condo | ~$2,000 |
| Three-bedroom house (every room and bathroom) | $4,000 and up |
A real example
A family room with a standard ceiling and about 60 linear feet of crown is a half-day job for our crew, at roughly $800 plus HST. Adding more rooms to the same visit gets you a better rate per room.
How long it takes
The installation itself takes about an hour for a typical room with four to eight corners. The rest of the visit is travel, covering floors, setting up tools, and cleaning up afterwards. All in, a single room takes about four hours.
Each extra room adds less than an hour, because we're already set up. Three rooms might take about six hours in total, while one room alone takes four. That's why a single room costs more per foot, and why we always suggest adding rooms if you're considering them.
The work is clean and quiet. The only real noise is the nailing, which takes about 20 minutes per room. Most clients stay home during the work, and many work from home at the same time. We just suggest staying in a different part of the house while we install.
What changes the price
- Profile size and style: larger or more detailed profiles cost more per foot.
- Stacked or built-up crown: each additional line of moulding adds about $5–$7 per linear foot. A three-piece built-up crown typically runs $15–$20 per foot.
- Vaulted ceilings: extra cost. We usually don't recommend crown on vaulted ceilings.
- Inside and outside corners: no extra charge. We cut them fast enough that they don't slow the job down.
Get an exact price
Use the crown moulding calculator for a quick number, or send us your room sizes for a fixed quote. For jobs further out, give us a call and we'll talk it through.
Frequently asked questions
Is paint included?
No. We deliver it filled, caulked and paint-ready. We also offer painting at $3–$5 per linear foot.
Can I stay home during installation?
Yes. Most clients do, and many work from home. The only noise is nailing, about 20 minutes per room.
Do corners cost extra?
No. Only built-up crown and vaulted ceilings add cost.
Is it cheaper to do several rooms at once?
Yes. More rooms in one visit means a better rate per room.
Why are online prices so much lower?
The $1–$3.50/ft figures are about 30 years old.