Want a home makeover on a small budget? Ready for a big change that screams “I’ve made a home renovation!”? Then take a look at moldings; moldings can help you add style, comfort and value to almost any room in your home, and the most appealing characteristic of crown moldings is that they can help draw attention to your home’s architectural aspects.

While it is more affordable to use pre-milled molding, custom milled moldings are also available, though they will cost more.

That said, there are very strong reasons for investing in moldings, especially if you are on a limited budget:

• Moldings demonstrate that you take pride in your home, that you pay attention to the details and that you want your home to be a showplace.
 
• Moldings can help substantially boost your home’s value if you are looking to put it on the market any time soon (or in the future). And the cost for the value boost is relatively small in comparison to the ROI.
 
• Moldings help create a cozy, more comfortable living environment, so that you feel happy when you’re relaxing at home!
 
• Moldings are easy to install—a qualified installer can create a whole new look for you in just hours (or days, depending on how large the job is). You won’t have to be without your kitchen or bathroom for days (a common drawback of initiating home improvements) when you decide to add moldings.

As with any home improvement, you’re likely to get the best results by working with a reputable trim and molding installation company. A good trim or molding installer will be able to tell you exactly what you can expect in terms of the project’s length and cost and will also have a list of readily available references and proof of insurance.

Your homebuilder can also give you the name of molding installers they use and trust, or you can ask friends and family for their references. It’s particularly useful if you can call a molding installer whose work you’ve already seen and like. (But even if that is the case, still check additional references and ask for proof of insurance).