How Much Does New Skirting Board and Architrave Installation Cost in the UK? (2026 Price Guide)

How Much Do New Skirting Boards and Architraves Cost in the UK?

The cost of installing new skirting boards and architraves in the UK depends on the size of the property, the style and material chosen, the condition of existing walls, and whether old skirting and architraves need to be removed.

Typical costs include:

• Single room: £300 – £1,000
• Living room: £400 – £1,200
• Whole house (2–3 bedrooms): £1,500 – £4,000
• Large property: £3,000 – £8,000+
• Premium MDF, hardwood, or bespoke profiles: £5,000 – £15,000+ for larger homes

Most homeowners spend between £1,500 and £4,000 to replace skirting boards and architraves throughout an average UK home.

What Are Skirting Boards and Architraves?

• Skirting boards are fitted along the bottom of internal walls to protect plaster and provide a decorative finish.
• Architraves are the mouldings fitted around doors, windows, and openings to create a neat transition between surfaces.

Replacing both can dramatically modernise a property's interior at a relatively modest cost compared to major renovations.

Skirting Board Costs

Typical supply and installation costs:

• Basic MDF skirting: £8 – £20 per metre
• Moisture-resistant MDF skirting: £10 – £25 per metre
• Softwood skirting: £12 – £30 per metre
• Hardwood skirting: £25 – £80+ per metre
• Bespoke profiles: £40 – £150+ per metre

An average room may require 12–20 metres of skirting.

Architrave Costs

Typical supply and installation costs:

• Basic MDF architrave: £5 – £15 per metre
• Moisture-resistant MDF architrave: £8 – £20 per metre
• Softwood architrave: £10 – £25 per metre
• Hardwood architrave: £20 – £60+ per metre

A standard door typically requires 5–6 metres of architrave.

What Affects the Cost of New Skirting and Architraves?

1. Property Size

The larger the home, the more materials and labour are required.

Typical requirements:

• Single room: 10–20m of skirting
• Small house: 50–80m
• Average 3-bed house: 80–120m
• Large property: 150m+

2. Material Choice

Material selection significantly affects the overall budget.

• MDF: most popular and cost-effective
• Moisture-resistant MDF: ideal for kitchens and bathrooms
• Softwood: traditional option
• Hardwood: premium finish with higher costs

Most modern homes use MDF due to its consistency and value.

3. Profile Design

Simple profiles cost less than decorative mouldings.

Common styles include:

• Bullnose
• Pencil round
• Ogee
• Torus
• Victorian
• Edwardian
• Bespoke mouldings

More decorative profiles increase material and installation costs.

4. Removal of Existing Skirting

Removing old timber can add labour costs:

• Modern skirting removal: relatively simple
• Older homes: risk of damaging plaster
• Uneven walls: additional preparation required

Wall repairs are often required after removal.

5. Painting and Decorating

Some installations are supplied unfinished.

Additional costs may include:

• Priming
• Undercoating
• Final painting
• Caulking and filling

Many homeowners combine skirting replacement with full room decoration.

Labour Costs for Skirting and Architrave Installation

Typical labour rates:

• Carpenter/joiner: £200 – £400 per day
• Decorating work: £180 – £350 per day

Typical installation times:

• Single room: 1 day
• Multiple rooms: 2–5 days
• Whole house: 5–10 days

Example Skirting and Architrave Costs

Single Bedroom

• Materials: £100 – £300
• Labour: £200 – £500
• Total: £300 – £800

Living Room

• Materials: £150 – £500
• Labour: £300 – £700
• Total: £450 – £1,200

Average 3-Bed House

• Materials: £500 – £1,500
• Labour: £1,000 – £2,500
• Decorating: £300 – £1,000
• Total: £1,500 – £4,000

Large House with Premium Profiles

• Materials: £2,000 – £6,000
• Labour: £2,000 – £5,000
• Finishing: £1,000 – £4,000
• Total: £5,000 – £15,000+

Hidden Costs to Consider

Additional costs may include:

• Plaster repairs: £100 – £2,000
• Wall preparation: £100 – £1,000
• Door frame repairs: £100 – £1,500
• Painting and decorating: £200 – £3,000
• Furniture moving: £50 – £500
• Waste disposal: £100 – £500

These costs are particularly common in older properties.

Regional Price Differences in the UK

Location can significantly affect labour costs:

• London & South East: 15%–40% higher
• Midlands: average UK pricing
• North of England: slightly lower rates
• Rural areas: higher travel costs may apply

How Long Does Installation Take?

Typical project durations:

• Single room: 1 day
• Several rooms: 2–5 days
• Whole house: 5–10 days
• Large premium installations: 1–3 weeks

Painting and decorating may extend timelines further.

How to Get an Accurate Quote

To accurately price skirting board and architrave installation, contractors should assess:

• Property size
• Total linear metres required
• Material choice
• Profile design
• Existing skirting condition
• Wall condition
• Decorating requirements

Accurate measurements are essential for producing realistic quotations.

How Pricing Penguin Works (for Carpentry and Home Improvement Projects)

Many homeowners underestimate the cost of replacing skirting boards and architraves because the materials themselves appear relatively inexpensive.

However, labour, removal of existing woodwork, wall preparation, finishing, and decorating can quickly increase the overall project cost.

This often leads to customers requesting quotes with unrealistic budget expectations.

Pricing Penguin solves this by providing clear, data-driven cost estimates before homeowners contact a carpenter or joiner.

Instead of guessing, customers can understand:

• The likely cost of replacing skirting boards and architraves
• How material choices affect pricing
• The impact of property size on labour costs
• Whether decorating work will be required
• Additional costs such as wall repairs and finishing
• Whether their budget is realistic before requesting quotes

This allows homeowners to plan projects with confidence.

For carpenters and joiners, Pricing Penguin improves lead quality by ensuring customers already understand realistic project costs before making contact.

Rather than spending time quoting projects that are unlikely to proceed, contractors can focus on serious enquiries from customers who are ready to move forward.

Pricing Penguin bridges the gap between customer expectations and real-world construction costs, helping homeowners budget accurately while allowing tradespeople to focus on profitable, conversion-ready work.

FAQ

How much does it cost to replace skirting boards in a house?

Most homeowners spend between £1,500 and £4,000 for a full-house replacement.

Is MDF or wood better for skirting boards?

MDF is generally the most popular choice due to its affordability, stability, and smooth finish.

Can skirting boards be replaced without redecorating?

In some cases, yes, but most installations require filling, caulking, and repainting afterwards.

How long do skirting boards last?

Properly installed skirting boards can last decades with minimal maintenance.

Conclusion

New skirting boards and architraves can dramatically improve the appearance of a property and typically cost between £300 and £8,000+, depending on the size of the home and materials selected.

For homeowners, understanding the full scope of materials, labour, and finishing costs helps create a realistic budget. For contractors, accurate pricing depends on measurements, wall condition, and installation complexity.

When customers understand realistic costs before requesting quotes, projects run more smoothly, expectations are aligned, and conversion rates improve for everyone involved.