Updated 25 September 2026
Skirting boards cost UK 2026
The going rate for skirting boards in 2026 is £8–£30/m (total, ex VAT). Below: a calculator, what the job involves, materials at three price levels, and the prep that changes the price.
Market band£8–£30/m
Worked example, 30 m£803
Time on site2 days
Skirting boards calculator
Price a real job freeUses your rates, your speed and your receipts.
Market band source: Best Builders, Trade2Base, Checkatrade.
What the job involves
| Stage | Task | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| fit | Set up, adhesive and caulk | 1 h |
| fit | Scribe, mitre and fix skirting | 0.25 h per m |
Materials at three price levels
| Material | Budget | Trade choice | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skirting board per m | £4 MDF torus 119 mm — Cheapest paint-grade | £6 Primed MDF 169 mm ogee — Taller, moisture-resistant | £12 Oak skirting — Natural finish |
Trade prices ex VAT, estimates checked 2026-09-25. Log your receipts in Grafto and your own prices replace these.
What changes the price
- Profile? MDF torus/ogee · primed MDF tall · hardwood
- Take off old skirting? yes · no
- Lived in during the work? empty · lived in
Good practice
- Lived-in home: time for dust sheets and moving furniture
Prep to look for
| Condition | Check | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Uneven walls | bowing walls behind units or skirting | Out-of-true walls: extra scribing time |
| Uneven floor | visible slopes, gaps under skirting | Uneven floor: extra packing and levelling time |
| Damp floor | tide marks, mould at floor edges | Moisture test the slab. Moisture-test before timber goes down |
| Possible lead paint | Thick, layered old paint on pre-1960 joinery? | Lead-safe paint prep. Possible lead paint: lead-safe prep, no dry sanding |
Questions
How much does skirting boards cost in the UK in 2026?
The researched market band is £8–£30/m (total, ex VAT), from Best Builders, Trade2Base, Checkatrade. A worked example of 30 m comes to about £698–£1,055 across budget, trade and premium materials.
How long does skirting boards take?
The worked example of 30 m takes about 2 working days.
What changes the price of skirting boards?
Mainly size and access, plus any prep found on site: uneven walls, uneven floor, damp floor, possible lead paint.