Looking for that perfect finishing touch to give your home some character?
Coving is on the rise once again in the UK.
After years of being forgotten about and left behind, British homeowners are waking up to this decorative moulding that spans the corner between a wall and a ceiling. The best bit?
Installing coving on your home or property doesn’t have to be expensive.
But before you get carried away… It’s important to know the real cost to install coving before you get started.
The cost to install can vary considerably depending on the type of coving you want, the size of the rooms involved and whether you do it yourself or hire a professional.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about the costs involved with coving installation, so you can make the right decision.
Let’s get into it!
What you’re about to discover:
- Decoding Material Costs
- Professional Installation vs The DIY Route
- Hidden Costs To Bear In Mind
- Saving Money On Coving Costs
Why The Cost To Install Coving Can Differ So Much
The installation of coving costs isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ affair.
The average homeowner in the UK pays around £37.50 per metre including supply and installation.
That’s at least £335 for an average-sized room for the most basic type of coving.
If you’re looking at something more decorative, such as plaster cornice, it can increase to £850 or more per room.
Here’s what factors into that:
Material is the first thing that impacts cost. Lightweight polystyrene coving is the cheapest option. Polyurethane coving is mid-range.
A lot of people are turning to this material these days because it’s highly durable and offers good resistance to moisture.
Plaster coving is the traditional choice and most expensive, but it does provide that classic high-end finish.
The size of the room or rooms obviously impacts the cost, too. A large living room with tall ceilings will need more coving than a small bedroom.
Design complexity is another consideration — basic, plain coving is cheaper than ornate Victorian-style coving.
Location is another factor — labour costs are much higher in London and the South East than in Northern England, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Decoding Material Costs
Wondering exactly how much material will set you back?
Polystyrene coving typically costs from around £2 per metre. It’s the most inexpensive option and great for DIY jobs as it’s so light and easy to handle.
Polyurethane coving typically costs between £3-£6 per metre. This is increasingly popular because it offers a good balance of cost and quality.
It’s much more durable than polystyrene coving and wear and tear is less of an issue over time.
Plaster coving is the premium choice at £5-£8 per metre or more. Traditional and timeless, it works well in period properties and offers that authentic, elegant finish people love.
The reality is… Material costs are only part of the total cost.
Professional Installation Costs
Installing coving may not be a DIY job for everyone. Professional installation can be pricey, but it does guarantee you a quality finish.
Labour costs differ widely across the country. Tradespeople typically charge between £150-£300 per day for standard coving work.
A bespoke plaster cornice installation will set you back between £350-£800 per day.
In most cases, it takes two tradespeople to install coving, working together.
Some contractors charge per hour, so you’ll likely see rates of between £15-£35 per person per hour depending on the project.
Here’s how long it takes:
On average, installation of polyurethane coving for an average-sized room of 4.8m x 4.8m takes half a day. Standard coving takes one to two days.
A bespoke cornice could take up to four days for a single room.
As we reported in our latest UK Home Renovation Trends Report 2024, 51% of UK homeowners took on renovation or home improvement projects in 2024.
This was a year-on-year increase of 9% and the amount spent by these renovating homeowners was 26% higher year-on-year.
Professional services are therefore in strong demand, as well as being likely to cost more.
In fact, 94% of renovating homeowners made the decision to hire professional tradespeople to carry out their work in 2024.
Hidden Costs To Bear In Mind
Don’t get tripped up on hidden costs.
Certain rooms will require plastering first before coving can be fitted. In an average-sized room, this will typically cost £200-£300.
The plastering makes sure the surface is perfectly smooth and even, creating a professional finish that makes the coving look like it was fitted perfectly.
Painting your coving is another cost that can sneak up on you. Professional painters charge £150-£300 per day to complete the job.
If you’re going to do it yourself, you can spend between £20-£100 on materials and paint, depending on quality.
If you need to remove old coving, it will cost you another £150-£350+, depending on the size of the room and complexity of the work involved.
Don’t forget priming, too. Some materials, such as plaster coving, need to be primed first before painting. This will likely be included in painting costs or charged separately.
The DIY Route: Is It Worth It?
Thinking about installing your own coving?
DIY installation removes the labour cost from the equation entirely, which can make it very tempting.
Materials like polystyrene coving are very forgiving and a great choice if you are new to DIY, as it’s so light and easy to cut. But it’s important to understand…
Coving needs to be installed with precision. You’ll have to cut accurate angles, apply adhesive evenly and hold in place for a certain time while it dries.
For more intricate designs or heavy materials, such as plaster coving, one mistake could prove costly.
Professional installation is the guarantee of a quality finish.
They have the tools and experience to handle tricky corners and ceiling imperfections that a DIY enthusiast might struggle with.
The decision comes down to your skills and confidence. Simple polystyrene coving in a small room could be DIY-able.
Anything more complicated and you are likely to save yourself a headache and re-doing things later by hiring a professional.
Saving Money On Coving Costs
How to get the best value for your money?
Bundle installation with other jobs. It’s common for people to fit coving at the same time as painting, plastering or other decorating works.
Contractors will often provide better rates if you package multiple services together.
Get multiple quotes. Prices can vary significantly between different tradespeople, and getting detailed quotes will help you know exactly what you’re paying for.
Don’t just go for the cheapest — look at reviews and ask to see examples of previous work.
Timing is everything. Some contractors will offer better rates when they have more availability, such as during quiet periods.
Look at the long-term value, too. Plaster coving costs more to install initially, but its durability and timeless appeal will add more value to your home than cheaper alternatives.
Wrapping Things Up
There are multiple factors which impact the cost of coving installation.
Material, room size, complexity of design and whether you use a professional installer or DIY are just some of the variables that impact the total price.
The average UK homeowner can expect to pay between £335-£850 per room, although this could rise for larger rooms or more premium materials.
As we covered in our in-depth UK Home Renovation Trends Report 2024… the UK home improvements market is now valued at £11.2 billion.
Homeowners are investing in their property upgrades more than ever before, with a median spend on renovations of £21,440 in 2024, up from £17,200 the year before.
Coving provides an elegant, cost-effective way of adding some much-needed character to your home without having to break the bank.
The cheapest option is not always the best. Quality materials and professional installation make all the difference to how your coving looks and how long it will last.
Don’t be afraid to do your research, get multiple quotes and make the decision which best suits your budget and requirements.
