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Install coving & cornice.
Decorative plaster cornice, plain coving or period-style restoration — supplied, fitted and painted.
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Mitre joints visible
Wrong angle cuts leave a visible gap. Filled with caulk and painted but never perfect.
Sagging plaster cornice
Heavy heritage cornice not pinned in addition to adhesive sags within months.
Wrong scale
90mm coving in a Victorian room with 3m ceilings looks lost. Match scale to room.
Adhesive overspill
Cheap install leaves visible ridges of adhesive. Wipe smooth before set.
Costs & timeline
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Indicative UK ranges and what affects price.
Cost range
By job type
Inc. VAT · 2026
Source: NMT quotes
Source: NMT quotes
Standard plaster coving per metre90mm covex profile
£3–£10
Premium cornice per metreEgg-and-dart, dentil
£12–£50
Heritage cornice per metreDecorative Victorian replicas
£20–£80
Polyurethane lightweight per metreEasy install, paintable
£5–£20
Install labour per metrePlus material
£8–£25
Standard room coving (15m)Including supply and install
£180–£500
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Quote spread is typically ± 18% — always get 3 quotes.
At a glance
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Coving and cornice — the decorative moulding that joins ceiling and wall — add architectural character and finish the look of a decoration project. Expect to pay £15–£60 per metre for UK coving and cornice fitted, depending on material and style complexity.
What Does the Work Involve?
The installer measures and cuts mitred corners with a coving saw and mitre block. Coving is bedded in adhesive (Gyproc Cove Adhesive or similar) and pressed against wall and ceiling. Joins and gaps filled with the same adhesive. Painted as part of ceiling and wall decoration. Heritage cornice with deep profiles is heavier and may need pinning as well as adhesive.
Typical Costs
| Item | Low (£) | High (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard plaster coving per metre | 3 | 10 | 90mm covex profile |
| Premium cornice per metre | 12 | 50 | Egg-and-dart, dentil |
| Heritage cornice per metre | 20 | 80 | Decorative Victorian replicas |
| Polyurethane lightweight per metre | 5 | 20 | Easy install, paintable |
| Install labour per metre | 8 | 25 | Plus material |
| Standard room coving (15m) | 180 | 500 | Including supply and install |
| Heritage cornice room (15m) | 400 | 1,500 | Larger profile, more skill |
How Long Does It Take?
Standard room (15m perimeter): half to full day. Heritage cornice room: 1–2 days due to fitting and decoration. Plus painting time.
DIY or Professional?
Lightweight polyurethane coving (Royal Mouldings, Orac) is DIY-friendly. Plaster coving requires accurate mitre cuts and is best left to a fitter. Heritage cornice is professional only — fragile, expensive, skilled work.
Choosing the Right Tradesperson
A plasterer or specialist coving fitter. For heritage cornice, use a heritage decorator (City Stainless Plasterworks, British Gypsum Heritage). Match cornice scale to the room — too small looks lost, too big overwhelms.
UK Regulations
Listed buildings need consent if removing or replacing original cornice. Original cornice often listed as a feature.
Common Problems
- Mitre joints visible: Wrong angle cuts leave a visible gap. Filled with caulk and painted but never perfect.
- Sagging plaster cornice: Heavy heritage cornice not pinned in addition to adhesive sags within months.
- Wrong scale: 90mm coving in a Victorian room with 3m ceilings looks lost. Match scale to room.
- Adhesive overspill: Cheap install leaves visible ridges of adhesive. Wipe smooth before set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Coving or cornice — what's the difference?
Coving: simple concave profile, typically 75–127mm. Cornice: more decorative with multiple profiles, dentils, egg-and-dart, etc. Cornice is heritage; coving is modern.
Best for a modern room?
Standard 90mm covex plaster coving or slim contemporary profiles. Avoid heavy heritage cornice in modern rooms.
Plaster or polyurethane?
Plaster: traditional, heavier, more authentic feel. Polyurethane (Orac, Royal): lighter, DIY-friendly, equally paintable, won't shrink or crack.
Will it look right with my ceiling height?
Match scale to room. 2.4m ceilings: 75–100mm coving. 2.7m: 100–127mm. 3m+ heritage rooms: 150mm+ deep cornice.
Can coving be added to a textured ceiling?
Yes — but for best results, skim over Artex first to give a smooth surface for the coving to bond to.
How long does coving last?
Plaster coving with quality install: 50+ years. Polyurethane: 30+ years. Original heritage cornice can be 150+ years old.
This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.
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