Interior design and decorating costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Professional crown molding installation costs $609 to $2,122 on average, with your material choice and ceiling height shaping the total.
Your ceiling height, room corners, and molding width determine the layout complexity, and oversized profiles overwhelm smaller rooms.
Budget for painting or staining services at $1 to $3.50 per linear foot, and set aside funds for door or window trim.
Hiring a local crown molding installation professional ensures clean seams and precise angles, saving you time and wall repairs.
Put your own twist on old-world interiors with some contemporary crown molding that's equal to any of the fancy pics you see in your Insta feed. To have a professional install crown molding, expect to pay an average of $1,301, though it can range from as little as $200 or as high as $4,500 depending on the molding material you choose and how many linear feet are installed.
On average, the price to install crown molding is $4 to $23 per linear foot. Though not as common, high-end or custom molding could cost much more for supplies and labor. It all depends on the material and how difficult it is to install. Expect labor to make up 50% or more of your total project cost.
| Crown Molding Size (Linear Feet) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 25 | $100–$575 |
| 50 | $200–$1,150 |
| 75 | $300–$1,725 |
| 100 | $400–$2,300 |
The width of your crown molding refers to the material's measurement from its lower edge to its upper edge. The width ignores the distance that the trimwork will extend onto the ceiling and down the wall, or its drop. To convert to those measurements, use the material's width as the hypotenuse (c) in the Pythagorean theorem (a² + b² = c²).
Larger crown molding widths are appropriate for rooms with tall ceilings. The larger molding adds distinction and style, but can overwhelm a room with lower ceilings. However, as the material's width increases, so too does the linear-foot cost of the material.
| Ceiling Height (Feet) | Crown Molding Width (Inches) | Average Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 2.5–6 | $3–$25 |
| 9 | 3–7.5 | $4–$30 |
| 10 | 4–9 | $6–$35 |
| 12+ | 6–12+ | $7–$50 |
Crown molding ranges in price based on material type. The base cost of crown molding materials differs, as does the time and labor required to complete the installation, as some materials are easier to work with than others.
| Material | Cost to Install (Per Linear Foot) |
|---|---|
| Solid wood | $3–$30 |
| Polyurethane | $2–$10 |
| Plaster | $6–$20 |
| MDF | $1–$7 |
| PVC | $1–$4 |
| Foam | $1–$4 |
| Metal | $10–$30 |
Solid wood crown molding costs $3 to $30 per linear foot, depending on scarcity and hardness. There's a huge selection of wood types for crown molding, but the most common types cost between $3 and $12 per linear foot, excluding installation. Expect to spend:
| Type of Wood | Example | Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|---|
| Common softwood and young growth | New growth pine, maple, and aspen | $3–$10 |
| Old-growth softwood | Seasoned, mature pine | $10–$12 |
| Common hardwood | Oak and mahogany | $10–$12 |
| Exotic hardwood | Brazilian cherry, paduk, and ipe | $15–$30 |
Hardwoods are popular because they are moderately priced and, once stained, add classic charm and warmth to a room. Common softwoods are a better option for those on a tight budget and anyone who plans to paint their crown molding or attempt DIY, as the wood is easier to cut and, if finished well, looks great painted.
Per linear foot, polyurethane crown molding costs $2 to $10 per linear foot, not including installation. It's a popular choice as it's budget-friendly and resists warping and rotting. However, it dents fairly easily and doesn't hold stain or paint particularly well.
Premade plaster crown molding costs $6 to $20 per linear foot, excluding installation. Since this type of molding requires a complex installation and a skilled installer, expect labor costs to be on the higher end of normal. However, because it’s made off-site, it costs far less than traditional plaster.
In contrast, traditional plaster molding is created in situ, right on the wall, inside the home using wet plaster and a mold. This is even more costly and rarely done today. However, if your home already has traditional plaster molding and you find it needs repair and want to preserve rather than replace it, expect to pay $4,000 to $6,000 even for just a couple of linear feet. That’s because it takes a great deal of time and skill to rebuild or repair.
Good old MDF isn't fancy, but it's cost-effective at just $1 to $7 per linear foot, excluding installation. While it doesn't perform well in very humid conditions, it's lightweight and relatively easy to install (hello, lower labor costs). It does need a finish of some kind, but wood veneer mimics the look of real hardwood without the higher cost. Plus, MDF takes and holds paint well, so it's an excellent low-cost option for installing painted crown molding.
PVC crown molding costs $1 to $4 per linear foot and is a good budget-friendly option for rooms that tend to hold moisture, like kitchens and bathrooms. However, PVC molding is slick and doesn't hold paint well, so it tends to only be available in white.
Foam molding costs $1 to $4 per linear foot, including installation. Because it's synthetic and isn't porous, it's another good choice for humid locations like bathrooms. However, detail is very limited because it can't be molded and shaped like other conventional materials. On the other hand, it's super lightweight, and you can even cut it with a pair of scissors. Its lightness and flexibility make it a popular choice for budget DIY installations, as you can install it with double-sided tape or glue.
Metal crown molding costs $10 to $30 per linear foot, including installation. Aluminum, copper, and steel are popular choices for indoor and outdoor use. Aluminum is particularly lightweight and resistant to rust.
There are a few different factors that impact crown molding installation costs. Prices will rise with complex installations and high-end materials, while straightforward installations with affordable materials like MDF or PVC won’t break the bank. Here’s a closer look at what might impact your total costs.
If you’re having your crown molding installed professionally, expect to spend an additional $3 to $12 per linear foot on labor. Custom crown molding could increase these costs to $15 to $20 per linear foot. Keep in mind that some contractors charge by the hour. In this case, expect to spend $50 to $100 per hour with your contractor spending an average of two to three hours per room.
Crown molding can come in many shapes and styles. Some of the most popular are colonial, craftsman, and mid-century modern. Expect to pay more for more stylized versions with a lot of detail.
Custom crown molding is significantly more expensive than standard crown molding—but sometimes it’s the only way to get a historically accurate replica. Expect to spend $10 to $30 per linear foot for the materials and $15 to $20 per linear foot on labor.
The complexity of the installation refers to a few variables, each of which will affect the cost of your project.
Because the cost of installation often depends on an hourly labor charge, rooms with many corners or obstructions will require more measuring and cutting, which increases the time it takes to accomplish the task.
Additionally, if your crown molding consists of multiple pieces to create its profile, you can expect higher labor costs. Finally, more cutting means more material waste, which will increase the amount of material necessary for the job.
If these situations apply to your installation, expect labor costs to increase by 30% to 60% and material costs to increase by between 10% and 20%.
Crown molding is just one of many types of molding styles. Some homeowners like the historical charm of crown molding around doors and windows. For this type of job, expect to spend $150 to $200 per door or window.
If you want your contractor to paint or stain your crown molding, expect to spend $1 to $3.50 per linear foot. The overall price depends on the intricacy of the molding and the type of paint. Higher quality paints will cost more but last longer.
There are a few ways to save money on your crown molding installation. Consider these tips to stay on or under budget.
Install crown molding yourself as a DIY project.
Choose less expensive materials, like MDF or PVC.
Compare quotes from a few contractors to get the best deal.
Choose simpler designs, which tend to cost less.
Opt for pre-cut corners.
Install less molding, but place it where it will have the most visual impact.
If you know what you're doing and choose the right materials, you can install crown molding yourself. Generally, around 25% of the price a pro quotes you is for labor, so you can save around a quarter of the project price by going the DIY route.
That being said, you’ll probably want to hire a crown molding company near you to get the best results. A local carpenter can create high-quality custom molding and install intricate hardwood and exotic hardwood moldings.
Installing crown molding is always best left to a pro. Here’s why:
DIY installation can lead to gaps, uneven lines, and costly wall damage.
Crown molding pros know how to handle cutting, nailing, and caulking.
Reputable installers have the specialized tools and expertise needed to achieve clean, precise seams and angles.
Experts complete the job safely and efficiently, saving you time and money.
To assist with the process, consider helping your pro with the following tasks:
Clear furniture, decor, and obstacles away from the work area
Assist with measuring and marking under your pro’s guidance
Organize tools, nails, and caulk to make them easily accessible for your pro
Clean up dust, excess materials, and packaging after installation
Be ready to discuss with a pro which crown molding material, such as solid wood, polyurethane, or MDF, will fit your budget.
Explain the measurements, angles, and placement of crown molding you want to install.
If there is room left in your budget, consider add-ons like decorative corners, custom profiles, and stain finishes.
Discuss your ceiling height, wall condition, and any trim work that could affect the installation complexity.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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