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Trim, Baseboard and Crown Moulding in Ottawa: The Paid Steps

The baseboard prices we found came from outside Ottawa, and none for crown moulding came from a Canadian source, so this page gives no range. It lists what a trim quote pays for, in order, so two quotes can be read side by side. Trim, baseboard and crown are on neither City permit list, so this page has no fee calculator.

Price rangeToo few published prices to quote

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Reviewed 2026-10-01 · why these pages have no ranges

Paid steps

Trim, baseboard and crown: what a quote pays for, in order

  1. Measuring the rooms

    What it is
    Measuring each wall run and counting the inside and outside corners.
    On the bill because
    Corners, door openings and changes in height each add cuts, so the length alone does not describe the job.
    Ask for it itemized
    The rooms and runs the quote covers, by name.

  2. Taking off old trimOlder homes

    What it is
    Prying off the old baseboard, casing or crown without damaging the wall.
    On the bill because
    In a house built before 1960 the paint probably contains lead, Health Canada says, and it warns against sanders, heat guns or blowlamps for removing lead-based paint. Have old paint tested before anyone sands or strips it.
    Ask for it itemized
    Whether removal, testing and disposal are in the price.

    Health Canada, Lead-based paint

  3. Material

    What it is
    The baseboard, casing or crown stock, in MDF or solid wood, paint-grade or stain-grade.
    On the bill because
    Profile, height, species and finish grade are separate choices, each with its own cost.
    Ask for it itemized
    The material listed apart from labour, with the profile named.

  4. Fitting and fastening

    What it is
    Cutting, coping and scribing each piece to the walls, floor or ceiling and nailing it to the framing.
    On the bill because
    Walls, floors and ceilings that are out of straight take more fitting time than the length suggests.
    Ask for it itemized
    How the quote handles wavy walls, gaps at the floor or a sloped ceiling.

  5. Filling, caulking and paint

    What it is
    Filling nail holes, caulking joints and painting or finishing.
    On the bill because
    Some quotes stop at installed trim and some include final paint, so two prices can describe different jobs.
    Ask for it itemized
    Whether the quote stops at installed and primed, or includes the finish coats.

  6. Clean-up and disposal

    What it is
    Hauling away off-cuts and old trim.
    On the bill because
    Disposal is a cost even on a small job, and it is easy to leave off a quote.
    Ask for it itemized
    Whether off-cuts and old trim leave with the crew.

Totalon your written quote

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City permit lists

Not listed: ask the City

Trim, baseboard and crown appear on neither the City's list of permit projects nor its list of exempt projects. Ask the City if anything else in the job changes a wall or an opening.

On an individually designated (Part IV) property, the designation by-law may protect interior features such as original trim: check it with City heritage staff. In a heritage conservation district, the district permit does not cover interiors (Ontario Heritage Act s.42(1)).

No fee calculator on this page. Where a job does need a permit, this is how the City's fee is worked out.

Ask before you sign

  • How the new trim meets any baseboard heaters, and who handles the heaters, since that is electrical work.
  • Whether the price is for paint-grade or stain-grade work.
  • In a designated heritage house, whether original trim is being kept, and whether the designation by-law has been checked.

The contract, cancellation, estimate and holdback rules that apply to every carpentry quote: before you sign any carpentry quote.

More on this work: Trim, Baseboard & Crown

Carpentry IQ answers on this job

Quick answers

Is there a Building Code rule for crown moulding?

We found none in the Ontario Building Code, and trim is on neither of the City's permit lists. On a heritage-designated house, check the designation by-law first.

Can old painted baseboard be sanded?

Health Canada says not to use sanders, heat guns or blowlamps to remove lead-based paint. Have old paint tested before anyone sands or strips it.

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