Are you interested in installing crown molding in your home? Your carpenter may charge by the linear foot or per room. Typical costs are about $5 - $13 a linear foot, which works out to $240 - $520 for a room measuring 10 feet x 10 feet.

The cost to install crown molding will vary according to several factors:

1. Material
2. Finish
3. Complexity and width of the design
4. Condition and layout of walls and ceiling

Crown Molding Styles Glossary

 Cost Breakdown

• Materials -- Composite (MDF); polyurethane; or woods such as red oak, pine, or poplar are the least expensive crown molding materials. More luxurious woods like mahogany, maple, cherry, or walnut are costlier. A 10 percent wastage allowance is standard when purchasing crown molding material. Width of the material will range from 1.5 to 20 inches, and should be in scale with your ceiling height; the average crown molding is between 4 and 5 inches wide. The material will normally be painted or, in the case of an upscale wood, stained to show off its beautiful grain.
• Labor -- Preparation and installation of crown moldings is a labor intensive procedure, especially if your walls and ceiling are uneven or your taste runs to ornate carving. Finishing in place is also time-consuming.

Get the Most for Your Money

Cut down on drafts and reduce your HVAC bills by insulating the crack between the top of your walls and the ceiling. Then install your crown molding to cover the insulation.

Have your crown molding prefinished prior to installation. This is much less labor intensive (and therefore cheaper) than finishing in place.