Crown Molding Contractor Needed

Any recommendations for Crown Molding, Shadow Boxing and Chair Rail Installer?

 

I don't know of any crown modling installers , but . . .

While crown molding can be tricky, I tried it for the first time a few weeks ago and was able to do it with only a little waste. The key is having a compound miter saw (I have a DeWalt 705) and some patience. I did have to use a little caulking but professionals do also given the fact that few walls are truly at right angles.

My guess is that you'd get away a lot cheaper if you do it yourself even if you have to buy the saw (around $300). Plus, you'd have the saw for the chair rail corner cuts and most shadow boxes (straight cuts pretty much).

 

We borrowed a compound saw, but we are looking into a nail gun, any suggestions? Also just wondering if you liked the selection at Home Depot or Tart Lumber for the molding? I am looking to see what a contractor would charge for this, b/c the other half is unsure how to go about installing the molding

 

The Passlode fuel cell (gas) cordless nail guns are excellent.

 

Nailguns are excellent but do not fall into the the trap that most novice installers do... OVER USING IT. Do NOT put in any more nails than you have to. It just means more nail holes that you have to caulk over and sand.

 

thepea2001 - I did use HD for the lumber. It may not be perfect but the price is OK. Plus, there were really very few blemishes that needed any putty. The 9 feet ceilings really help, too!

I used a pneumatic finish nailer (18 ga, 1-1/2 in nails) but I also put up a furring strip since I over engineer things. I've never tried the Passlode gas nailers but I see them being used more and more on the home shows. Plus, there's not the loud compressor kicking on every so often. I'm not sure how much the cartridges are but my guess is that they are reasonable.

If you do buy a compressor, the PorterCable compressor and finish/brad nailer is a great buy. It even handles a framing nailer but just cycles more.

And T8erman is right - you don't need so many nails to hold the molding up. I used about 2-3 every 16-18 inches and that's more than sufficient. I've seen some installations with 2-3 nails every 4 inches with a 16 ga nail and that's a lot of spackling (or caulking if you go that route).

 

Hi,
I'm Sue Morris, owner of Instinct Interiors Ink, LLC, interior design services to beautify your home!

I have a great carpenter who specializes in crown, chair rails, etc.

Check out my website: www.InstinctInteriorsInk.com

or Email: sue@InstinctInteriorsInk.com

Hope I can help!

Sue

 

Thanks guys for the feedback on the nail gun & nails...I went to HD but had a heck of a time trying to find molding similar to what Van Metre installed...any ideas on matching or close to matching the builder's molding? Thanks again

 

I like Lowes' selection of moulding better than HD's.... If you are trying to match what your builder installed and aren't finding it, make sure it is not "built up", meaning it was created with more than just one piece of trim on top of another.

They say the best way to get tight inside corners is to cope them, but if you are just doing paint-grade moulding, then caulk & putty will do.

I use the porter cable compressor/gun kit and a 10" sliding compound miter saw... works great!

 

We used Brian at All American Painting Company and he did a fabulous job. His prices were reasonable and the craftmanship was top notch. http://www.allamericanpainting.com/

Good luck!

 

What are the going rates for crown moulding that you guys have paid companies to do?

 

I think we paid $2500 for our entire foyer and entryway.

 

I'll contact All American as well. Belmont Ext & Nuance came out and gave us a "are you smoking something" quote...YIKES...still trying to figure out if they made a typo-o...or added too many decimals to the price.

I am pretty sure that we need a professional to do the installation of the molding/chair-rail & shadow boxes...otherwise my hubby will be on a permanent TIME OUT, while I drink myself into Betty Ford.
The 3-rings of marriage..."no one mentioned suffering"

 

I can't find the info for All American Painting. Does anyone have recent info or other recommendations for crown molding installers?

Thanks.

 

Thanks to Cheryl's recommendation, I had used Ronald Jimenez (he can be reached at 703-932-0551) and he is primarily a painter but has additional contractors he works with - and one is a crown molding specialist. He did one BIG room for us (in addition to painting) and from my other estimates, was really one of the best prices that I saw. We matched the builder molding, and he went and bought it - installed and caulked/painted for like $2.50 a linear foot + materials.

Don't quote me on price, my memory is sometimes suspect, but his quality and speed of work were great. And for what we got, we were really pleased and also learned that Ronald is a great contractor to work with (our friends used him for tile work too and got a great job).