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myCoving Installation Cost
At a Glance
- The average cost of coving installation is around £340.
- The job will take approximately 1 to 3 days to complete.
- Simple calculator for you to quickly estimate coving costs.
- Typical costs for coving installations by type and size of room.
- How long this job takes and what drives prices you're quoted up.
- How to find a local coving installer using MyJobQuote.
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£340
Table of Contents
- How Much Does Coving Installation Cost?
- Factors That Impact Coving Installation Costs
- Additional Coving Installation Costs
- Labour Cost of Coving & Timescales
- What's Involved in Installing Coving?
- Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Coving Installation
- Checklist: Hiring Coving Installers in the UK
- FAQs
Coving Cost Calculator
Note: Enter the room's perimeter and not square footage for the best results. Very small jobs (under 8 to 10 metres) may cost more than the calculator estimates, as many jobs will incur a minimum charge. For a more accurate price, it is best to compare quotes from local plasterers.
How Much Does Coving Installation Cost?
How much does it cost to install coving?
The cost of installing coving depends on the type and style you choose — ceiling coving, Victorian-style ornate plaster cornice, or a simpler modern profile — as well as the size of the room and the finish you want.
For most homeowners, professional installation costs between £250 and £450 per standard room, with an average coving cost of around £340.
What is your main reason for coving installation?
Replacing damaged or old coving
1 votes - 33%33% of votes
To cover up cracks and uneven joins
2 votes - 67%67% of votes
Updating the room's appearance in general
0 votes - 0%0% of votes
As part of a wider renovation project
0 votes - 0%0% of votes
3 votes
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If you want a simpler breakdown, here's what you can expect to pay if you're looking to buy coving:
- Lightweight Polyurethane Coving — From £130 to £300 per room. A budget friendly choice, easy to fit and ideal for smaller spaces.
- Standard Coving — Best suited to living rooms and bedrooms, this type of wall coving is priced between £100 and £300 for polystyrene coving and £180 to £500+ for standard plaster coving including labour and materials.
- Bespoke Plaster Coving — A premium option for an average-sized room will be priced around £1,000. Costs will vary depending on the design, detail, and room size.
Plaster coving is heavier and slower to install than polyurethane or polystyrene, and it needs a more skilled tradesperson, which is why it costs more.
Coving is often priced by the metre as well as per room. The table below shows what to expect for each material, both supply only and supply and fit.
| Material | Supply Only (Per Metre) | Supply and Fit (Per Metre) |
|---|---|---|
| Polystyrene | £2–£10 | £5–£20 |
| Polyurethane | £5–£25 | £10–£40 |
| Plaster / Cornice | £15–£40 | £25–£60 |
| Wood / MDF | £5–£50 | £15–£65 |
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These prices for coving installation typically include materials, adhesive, cutting, fitting and finishing, but they won't include additional work such as painting, skirting replacement or plaster repairs.
If your ceiling or walls need preparation before fitting, this can also add to the total cost.
What's the average cost for a plasterer to install coving, including adhesive, fixings and filling all joints ready for decoration?
"As a company, we would install on a quote basis not day rate. As an extreme case (plasterboard on a suspended tin ceiling track) with materials included, our price is £69.99 per metre for straight runs and £44.99 per corner (external and internal corners)."
Coving Installation Prices
| Type of Coving | Labour Cost | Supply Costs | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight Polyurethane Coving | £90 to £130 | £40 to £80 | £130 to £210 |
| Coving for a regular-sized room | £150 to £250 | £100 to £200 | £250 to £450 |
| Bespoke Coving | £350 to £450 | £400 to £800 | £750 to £1,250 |
| Picture rails/dado rails | £160 to £220 | £80 to £140 | £240 to £360 |
| Wall Panelling | £250 to £300 | £200 to £250 | £450 to £550 |
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The main expense when fitting coving is the labour. While the material itself is relatively inexpensive, the skill and time required to cut, mitre and fix the coving neatly means most homeowners hire a professional plasterer or carpenter.
Factors That Impact Coving Installation Costs
Several factors influence the cost of coving installation, from the material you choose to the size and layout of the room.
Type and Material of Coving
The material and style you choose has a significant impact on both supply and labour costs.
Standard coving and cornice is available in polystyrene, polyurethane, plaster, and MDF. Polystyrene and polyurethane are the most affordable options and the quickest to install. Plaster coving and ornate cornice — the decorative style associated with Victorian and Edwardian properties — are heavier and more time-consuming to fit, which pushes up the overall price. Bespoke or fibrous plaster profiles cost the most, due to the skill and time involved.
The style also matters — a plain, uniform profile is straightforward to cut and mitre, whereas highly decorative designs require more care and precision, increasing labour time. Polyurethane versions of ornate profiles offer a similar look to plaster at a lower price point, making them a practical alternative for period-style finishes.
Picture rails and dado rails are often fitted at the same time as coving. Bundling these jobs together can reduce the overall labour cost, as the same tradesperson can carry out all the work in a single visit.
Size of the Room
Larger rooms require more linear metres of coving, which increases both material costs and the time it takes to measure, cut, and fit. A small hallway or box room may only need a few metres of coving, while a large living room or open-plan space could require considerably more — with a proportionally higher total cost.
Complexity of Installation
Rooms with bay windows, alcoves, chimney breasts, or irregular angles require more intricate cutting and mitring. Each internal and external corner adds time to the job, as each piece must be carefully measured and cut at the correct angle to achieve a neat finish. Ornate or deep-profile coving is also more difficult to work with, adding to the overall labour time.
Ease of Access
Rooms that are straightforward to work in cost less. High ceilings, rooms with limited space to manoeuvre, or areas requiring staging and scaffolding all add to the time and overall cost of the job.
Location of Property
Labour costs vary across the UK. Prices are typically higher in London and the South East, and lower in Northern England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Additional Coving Installation Costs
When having coving fitted, it's worth factoring in extra jobs often carried out at the same time. Bundling these with your project can save on labour and give a consistent finish across the room.
Plastering
Some rooms might need a bit of plastering before coving is fitted, especially if the old coving has been ripped off or the top of the wall is flaky. For an average sized room, the cost of plastering an indoor wall adds around £200 to £300 to the budget. Does the ceiling itself need tidying before the new coving goes up? The cost to plaster a ceiling is worth factoring in, too.
Painting and Decorating
To have a standard bedroom painted with two coats of emulsion, the cost of painting a bedroom is around £300 to £500. Have wallpaper to tackle first? Wallpaper stripping can bump it up to £450 to £550 in total.
Replace Skirting Boards and Ceiling Architrave
New coving pairs well with fresh skirting boards and tidy door architraves. On average, the cost of replacing skirting boards and architraves lands around £200 to £300. Prices depend on the material, with MDF being the cheapest and hardwood the most expensive.
Want a clean, finished look? Once fitted, you can factor in the price of painting skirting boards.
Removing Old Coving
If you have existing coving that needs to come down before new coving can be fitted, this will add time and cost to the job. Removing old coving typically costs £150 to £350, depending on the amount and how well it is fixed.
Plaster coving that has been in place for decades can be particularly difficult to remove without damaging the surrounding plasterwork. In some cases, the wall or ceiling surface will need patching and skimming before new coving can go up, adding further to the overall cost. Always confirm with your tradesperson whether removal and any subsequent remedial work are included in the quote.
Coving Lighting
Modern homes often incorporate LED lighting strips into coving for a subtle, yet contemporary effect. The cost of LED coving installation varies from £300 to £600. The cost will also depend on the size of the room and whether the wiring needs an upgrade.
How much would it cost to remove old coving in 2 standard rooms (I believe this is plaster) and install new coving in 2 other rooms?
"To remove old coving and replace plus put coving up in 2 other rooms I could supply materials and fit it for £500"
Labour Cost of Coving & Timescales
On average, coving labour costs range from £150 to £250 per day. Plasterers are usually hired for heavy plaster coving, while carpenters or a skilled handyman handle lightweight polyurethane or MDF mouldings.
How you're charged depends on the size of the job and where you are:
- For a medium-sized room, many charge a flat rate of £250 to £350. This covers fitting and adhesive but excludes painting.
- For smaller jobs, some charge by the hour, at £20 to £40. The exact rate depends on location and experience.
- Labour is 10% to 20% higher in London and the South East. Rates are lower in the North of England, Scotland and Wales.
As for the time required to fit coving, it depends on the size of the room, the design complexity and whether any additional preparation is needed. As a guide:
- Small room (e.g. box room or hallway) — half a day to 1 day
- Medium room (e.g. standard bedroom or lounge) — 1 to 2 days
- Large or irregular rooms with complex coving — 2 to 3 days
Additional work such as wall repairs, painting or installing LED lights for coving can add to the cost and timescale.
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What's Involved in Installing Coving?
Fitting coving is a precise job that takes patience and a steady hand, particularly when cutting the mitred corners so they line up neatly. Knowing what’s involved helps you understand exactly what you’re paying a professional for.
Would you rather bypass the time-consuming task? Get free quotes from local fitters. They'll take care of the cutting, mitring, and clean-up for you.
Here’s what happens when a professional fits coving:
Before the Job
- Measuring Up — Your fitter starts by measuring the room and checking for any uneven spots or complex corners. This tells them how much coving and adhesive they’ll need for a clean, even line all the way around.
- Prepping the Space — Before anything goes up, they’ll scrape off loose paint or wallpaper, clear dust, and cover furniture to keep the room ship-shape. The smoother the surface, the stronger the bond.
During the Job
- Cutting and Fitting — Each piece is cut to size, at a 45° angle so the corners line up effortlessly. Adhesive goes on the back, it’s pressed firmly into place, and any extra glue is wiped away straight off for a crisp finish.
- Smoothing and Securing — Once the coving’s up, they’ll check every joint for gaps and fill them in neatly. Some fitters will use small pins, props or even tape to hold the coving in place while the adhesive goes off — it just helps keep the line straight.
After the Job
- Final Touches — When the adhesive’s dry, the fitter sands any rough edges and gives the coving a lick of paint so it blends with your ceiling. Pre-primed coving needs just one coat of matte paint to finish it off.
- Tidy-Up — The last step’s all about clean-up. Any stray dust, offcuts, or leftover adhesive are cleared away so your room’s left spotless — and looking sharper than before.
Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Coving Installation
You don’t normally need planning permission or building control approval to install coving, as it’s classed as internal decorative work, though it should still be fitted safely and correctly. The exception is if you’re carrying out other structural or renovation work at the same time, in which case regulations may apply. If in doubt, check with your local council.
Would having various coving installed in my living room, kitchen and around the outside of my home add value to my home by any significant degree?
"Well, depending on the type of house it is, for example, if Victorian keeping or replacing ornate coving would have value, especially if it was broken or torn down, some new homes not so sure, as it would be more for decoration and hiding unsightly ceiling line, i.e. cracks."
Checklist: Hiring Coving Installers in the UK
Getting coving fitted neatly takes a steady hand and a good eye for detail. So, be sure to find someone who knows what they’re doing.
Here’s what to check before you hire:
- Do they have solid experience? You’ll want a fitter who’s handled the type of coving you’re after (lightweight polyurethane or heavy plaster). Two years’ experience or more is a good sign.
- Can you see samples of their work? Ask for before-and-after photos or check their MyJobQuote profile. Scroll through photos – they’ll tell you more than any sales pitch.
- What’s included in the quote? Make sure the price covers everything. Does it include adhesive, fitting, sanding, and clean-up? Some trades include painting. Others don’t. So confirm early on.
- Do they have reviews from other homeowners? Real feedback is gold. Look for consistent mentions of neat finishes, punctuality, and good communication.
- Will they see to any prep work? Ask if they’ll remove old coving or deal with uneven walls before fitting. A professional job always starts with a smooth base.
- Are they insured? Public liability insurance isn’t a legal must. That being said, it’s reassuring to know you’re covered if something goes wrong mid-job.
- Can they bundle jobs for a better price? Some fitters will give you a deal if you add extras — like replacing skirting boards or fitting wall panelling at the same time.
FAQs
Can I Install Coving Myself?
Yes, you can fit lightweight polyurethane or polystyrene coving yourself, and it works out cheaper since you only pay for materials, though cutting accurate mitres at the corners takes practice. Heavier plaster coving and ornate cornice are better left to professional installation, as the material is harder to handle and the cuts must be precise. A professional plasterer or carpenter will get the joints neat and save you paying twice to redo it.
What Adhesive Should I Use for Coving?
Most coving is fixed with a ready-mixed coving adhesive or grab adhesive, which also fills small gaps at the joints. It usually only costs £5 to £15 per tube, and a standard room needs one or two. Heavier plaster coving may also be screwed or pinned while the adhesive sets.
How Much Does Coving Cost for a Whole House?
As a rough guide, multiply the per-room price by the number of rooms you're coving. A standard room costs £250 to £450 supply and fit, so for a typical three or four-bedroom home — living room, hallway, landing and bedrooms — you're usually looking at somewhere between £1,250 and £3,000 for standard coving. Ornate plaster cornice pushes this higher, as a single room in bespoke plaster can run to £850 or more.
Does Cornice Cost More Than Coving?
Yes. Cornice is the more ornate, decorative version of coving. It's usually made from plaster and most common in period homes. The extra detail means more material and more labour to cut and fit, so it works out more expensive than plain coving. The simpler the profile, the cheaper the job.
Can Coving Be Fitted in Bathrooms and Kitchens?
Yes, and it needn't cost any more. Moisture-resistant polyurethane and PVC coving are among the cheaper options and handle steam without warping, so a bathroom or kitchen costs no more to cove than any other room. Plaster coving only works in well-ventilated spaces where it can be properly sealed.
Does Coving Need Painting After It's Fitted?
In most cases yes, but it's usually a small cost. Pre-primed coving needs just one coat of emulsion, which fitters or decorators often include at no extra charge, while bare plaster coving has to be sealed first, adding a little time and cost.
If I Add Coving, Will It Increase My Home's Value?
It may do, particularly in period properties. Restoring or replicating original decorative coving or cornice can make a significant difference to how finished and characterful a home feels. In newer builds, coving is more of a cosmetic improvement than a value-booster, though it does add a polished look.
Can Coving Hide Cracks Where the Wall Meets the Ceiling?
Yes, and it's often a cheaper fix than re-plastering. Covering minor cracks and gaps at the ceiling line is one of the most practical reasons to fit coving. It gives a neat finish and hides the movement that happens as a house settles, usually for far less than the cost of re-skimming a ceiling. If cracks are large or recurring, though, it's worth checking the underlying cause before covering them up.
