Home Services Guidelines and Best Practices
Chair Rail Installation
Chair Rail Installation guidelines, FAQs and unit pricing information
January 2017
Are you looking for independent, trustworthy advice about Chair Rail Installation? Do you need to understand common installation options? If your project calls for Chair Rail Installation work, the following guidelines and best practices will help you understand: Is a subcontractor really necessary for Chair Rail Installation work? Will a permit be required? What are common problem areas? How much will Chair Rail Installation labor cost? What are the important Chair Rail Installation quality checks that should be included in the work requirements?
Chair Rail Installation - Frequently Asked Questions
| What is a fair price for Chair Rail Installation? | Costs vary with project size, job quality and time of year. For typical Chair Rail Installation expect to pay between $1.60 to $3.99 per linear foot. Additional fees are typically charged for small projects or rush jobs. |
| Is a permit needed for Chair Rail Installation work? | Design approval and permits from your local building department are not required for Chair Rail Installation. If your home is subject to homeowner association (HOA) covenants, you should verify that your Chair Rail Installation project complies with association guidelines. |
| Is it worth using a professional to perform Chair Rail Installation work? | The appearance, functionality and useful life of the chair rail molding may be compromised by poor installation. Hire the service provider carefully and tie payment milestones to appropriate quality checks (use the list below). |
| Is Chair Rail Installation something that I can do myself? | The typical Chair Rail Installation project can be completed by a moderately skilled do-it-yourselfer; as with any project, high quality Chair Rail Installation requires attention to detail and careful planning. |
| How many days are typically required to complete the Chair Rail Installation work? | This work can be completed in 1 to 2 days. |
Chair Rail Installation - Options, Quality Checks and Important Details
Use the list below to document your expectations for level of detail and finish quality for Chair Rail Installation. Make sure that relevant information is included in any written contracts or work orders on your project. Before any Chair Rail Installation work begins, review the checklist with the service provider. Tie payments to satisfactory completion of this checklist.
- The layout, location, style and finish appearance of ALL materials used in Chair Rail Installation will be approved by owner, before any work begins
- All chair rail molding from the same manufacturers lot
- A detailed chair rail molding layout - showing material placement and all joints/seams - will be reviewed and approved before work begins
- Horizontal and vertical edges of adjacent chair rail molding will be aligned to within 1/16 inch
- There will be no gap of more than 1/16 inch wide where the chair rail molding meets adjacent surfaces; a gap (in no cases wider that 1/16 inch) can be hidden by: __scribing __a smooth bead of caulk __ appropriately finished molding
- All chair rail molding seam / joint location(s) must be approved before work begins; typically, seams should not be located in areas of high traffic exposure, visual prominence or bright lighting
- Chair rail molding will be installed so that the chair rail molding base/trim is solidly attached and attached completely flush to the mounting surface
- All connections will be made with a single continuous length of molding; there will be no splice along any connection
- All corner chair rail molding joints will be cleanly mitered; There will be no visible gap along the joint edge and the chair rail molding profile will be completely aligned along the joint edge
- The chair rail molding surface and surface finish will be free of surface defects, irregularities and any physical damage
Chair Rail Installation - Work Milestones and Project Reminders
The following list summarizes work tasks commonly performed during Chair Rail Installation. These tasks help ensure proper completion of the chair rail molding work and compliance with common manufacturer and vendor warranty requirements. Make sure that either you or your service provider takes responsibility for each of these tasks. All service provider task responsiblities should be clearly called out in the written contract or work orders.
- Verify that planned Chair Rail Installation will comply with home owner association requirements
- Complete written contract, including scope of work, quality checks, warranty, timing and payment terms; ensure that contract is signed before work begins
- Review and approve detailed layout / plan that shows location, orientation and placement of chair rail molding, before any work begins
- Select, specify and order chair rail molding; verify that type, grade, finish, size, color, any options, and quantity are clearly identified in the order; make sure that delivery date, terms and damage provisions are included in the order
- Manage delivery of chair rail molding; verify that delivered model #, grade, finish, size, options, and quantity match the order precisely; thoroughly inspect all items for damage and proper operation; make or authorize final payment only after complete order is delivered
- Store chair rail molding in a secure, dry location that is fully protected from the elements prior to installation
- Acclimate chair rail molding to typical indoor temperature and humidity for no less than 3 days prior to installation
- Back prime chair rail molding surfaces that will not be accessible after installation with a compatible priming paint
- Install chair rail molding using finish nails, in compliance manufacturer recommendations and applicable local building code(s)
- Fill holes, cracks, gaps with compatible patching material; finish patch to match surrounding surface shape, texture and color
- Remove debris, dirt and dust from all work areas; unless otherwise agreed, all demolition debris and construction waste will be removed from the site within 24 hours
- Inspect Chair Rail Installation and verify that all quality requirements and punch list items are completed correctly
- Submit final payment; pay with a check to ensure expense can be verified for tax purposes
