Owens Corning
Install Woodwork Trim in a Room
If you enjoy woodworking and want to master carpentry skills, you'll find a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction in doing the detail work required to trim out a room with baseboards and window and door casings. The job involves measuring, cutting and fitting, so it's time intensive and precision work best left to a perfectionist.

A carpenter will charge $295 to do the job using clear pine, but you can do the job and pocket almost 60 percent. To trim out a typical 10-by-15-foot room with one door and window with 3 1/2-inch baseboard and 2 1/2-inch door and window casings, the material will cost about $120.

Invest in a good miter box and back saw if you don't have one. You'll also need a hammer, coping saw and a supply of 4d and 6d finishing nails. If you'll be doing trim work in several rooms, rent a power miter box to save time and assure more accurate cuts.

Pro vs DIY Cost and TimeIf you plan to paint the trim, use latex caulk to fill any gaps and conceal minor misfits between the baseboard, wall or casing. When using stain, first apply a wood conditioner to assure that the stain goes on evenly and without blotches. Apply the stain to the trim, let it dry, then install it.

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