Should Coving Be Put Up Before Or After Plastering? | Checkatrade
Request a quote
Review a Trade

Have you completed a project recently? Let your tradesperson know how they did.

Advice Centre

Get Inspired! Check the latest industry expertise and read insider tips from our vetted tradespeople.

Search For A Trade

We interview and vet all our tradespeople to ensure they meet our high standards.

Join Checkatrade

Join us and benefit from the millions of potential customers who use Checkatrade to find reliable tradespeople.

Advice Centre

Grow your business! Check out top tips and expert advice for boosting your reputation online.

Login To Your Account

Edit your profile, view callback requests and ask for feedback from customers.

Should coving be put up before or after plastering?

With so many facets to remodelling or simply redecorating a room, you’d be forgiven for wondering: ‘Should you install coving before or after plastering?’

It’s by no means a silly question. Coving is just one of those things that’s ‘there’. In this quick read, we explain whether you should put the coving up before or after plastering and the key reasons why it’s important to get it right. You may also be wondering which tradesperson is responsible for installing coving, so we cover that too.

Search your postcode to find your local trade

Should you install coving before or after plastering?

Coving is a plain moulding that conceals the joint between the wall and the ceiling.

Not every property has coving, but it’s often considered an attractive finishing touch to a room. Therefore, many people opt to install it in their home.

But the big question is: What comes first, the coving or the plastering?

The short answer is: After. Always install coving once the room has been plastered and has been allowed to dry.

Why is it important to install coving after plastering?

There are a number of reasons why you should install coving after plastering.

  1. If you ever remove the coving, your wall will be fully plastered right the way to the ceiling
  2. You’ll get a better finish, being able to see the full profile of the coving
  3. You won’t risk staining or damaging the coving with the plasterer’s trowel

A plasterer installing coving after plastering

Can a plasterer install coving?

Most plasterers are skilled in the installation of coving but do ask the question before you hire them for the job. This way, you’ll avoid ambiguity and any unnecessary delays to your project.

Our guide to finding quality, approved plasterers expands on the scope of a plasterer’s work and how much they typically charge.

To find skilled and reliable plasterers in your local area, simply add your postcode to the search box below.

Search your postcode to find your local trade
  • Did you find this content helpful?
  • YesNo

Tell us what you think

Please note, you cannot leave a review, or contact a tradesperson by commenting.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What others think of this article:

No comments yet!

Also in this project