Trim is one of the most cost-effective upgrades in a home. Swapping 2.5-inch builder baseboard for a taller profile, adding casing with some depth, or running crown through the main floor changes how a room feels without moving a single wall. This page covers the trim work Cowgirl Construction does in Calgary homes and what to think about before you start.
Baseboards
Baseboards cover the gap between the floor and the wall, and they take a beating from vacuums, boots and pets. We install new baseboard after flooring goes in, replace dated baseboard throughout a home, and re-install existing baseboard when it can be saved. Inside corners are coped so they stay closed as the house moves, and baseboard is scribed to uneven floors instead of leaving a gap to be filled with caulk.
Door and window casing
Casing frames every doorway and window, so it sets the style of a room. Flat craftsman-style casing with a header, colonial profiles and simple modern square-edge casing are all common in Calgary. Replacing casing is also the moment to fix doors that rub or swing open by themselves.
Crown moulding
Crown moulding softens the line where walls meet the ceiling. It suits rooms with 8-foot ceilings and up, and built-up crown (two or three pieces) can make taller ceilings look intentional rather than empty. Ceilings in many homes are not perfectly flat, so crown takes patience: we fasten into framing or blocking, keep the reveals consistent and fill only what needs filling.
Wainscoting, board-and-batten and feature walls
Wall panelling adds texture and durability to dining rooms, stairwells, hallways, mudrooms and powder rooms. Options include raised or flat-panel wainscoting, board-and-batten, picture-frame moulding and shiplap. We lay out panels so they are evenly spaced around outlets, windows and corners before anything gets nailed up. Not sure which style suits your home? See is wainscoting worth it?.
Interior doors and hardware
We install pre-hung interior doors, replace slab doors in existing frames, hang barn doors and install new handles and hinges. A well-hung door has an even gap on all sides, latches without slamming and stays where you leave it.
What drives the cost of trim work
Trim is usually priced by the linear foot or by the job. The main variables are the profile and height, material (MDF, pine or hardwood), removal of old trim, the number of corners and transitions, wall and floor condition, and whether filling, caulking and painting are included. Our finish carpentry cost guide collects published Calgary ranges for baseboard and crown.
Frequently asked questions
Should baseboards go in before or after new flooring?
After. Baseboard sits on top of the finished floor and covers the expansion gap, so it should be installed once the flooring is down. If you are replacing both, plan them together.
Can you reuse my existing baseboards?
Sometimes. If the trim comes off cleanly and the profile still suits the room, it can be re-installed. Brittle or heavily painted trim usually costs more in time to save than it is worth.
Will crown moulding work with my ceiling height?
Crown works in most rooms with ceilings of 8 feet or more. Lower ceilings suit a smaller profile; taller or vaulted ceilings may call for built-up crown or a different detail.
Do you do just one room?
Yes. Single-room trim jobs, a hallway of casing or one accent wall are all welcome.
