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If you're asking if you can, then probably no, crown mold involves compound angles and precise cuts. Done right it looks good, done poorly and it looks like hell. As far as hiring someone to do it vs. DIY, look at it this way;
How much is a piece of mold if you make a mistake(s)?
Do you have the right tools?
How many pieces are you going to waste practicing?
How much will you spend to try DIY, and then pay again to have someone do it?
The only way to get good cuts is with a cut off saw set up for this project. You can probably rent one of them. The problem is that you will have this very large learning curve. You will spend money on product, that will not fit, match up, or work out.
It really is. It's really an art and what you are paying for when you hire out for this sort of job is someone's skill and experience.
My cost of materials for one room was $175 in crown molding, maybe $20 worth of paint/primer and spackle and caulk (already had it for a larger overall project) and maybe $5 in finish nails. So $200 in materials, and 3 hrs of my time vs $1500 for a pro to do that room seems like an enticing thing that most people would want to try themselves.
The problem is it's a huge learning curve. I only did it because I have had experience in it, and my job came out ok. A true career crown installer could pick out my mistakes, but the average person would never really know. But it would be VERY easy to hack it up and install it and have it almost be not worth it at all.
And I'd probably expect a pro to charge out $1000-1500 per room to do this.
We found a house we love. It is in good shape but some updates my wife was thinking about include adding crown molding and wainscoting. The problem is I have no tools aside from what you'd find in a regular tools box.
I have that exact same $12 saw, and within the past year have used it to install crown in two rooms. There are youtube videos that show how to make the cuts - it's really not rocket surgery, or brain science. I'd suggest buying a little extra, or getting a few pieces of scrap to practice with.
But don't listen to the "It's so hard!" crowd... I had heard that too and was intimidated by it - until I got a quote from an actual Trim Carpenter to do it lol. I'll use the $12 saw and figure it out, but thanks anyway.
Also, look into these corner blocks...
With those you only have to make straight 90 degree cuts! I am actually a big fan of them too because they add a nice little decorative touch to the crown. I used them in my bedroom with that same royal blue and glossy white color combo and it came out really nice.
Those things have to be measured very accurately and are typically done on site. "Blocked" corners would be the only possible way you could order specific cuts at HD. Painted only. You'll be using caulk to eliminate gaps. Get a Bear saw. Easy to use. Especially if you can make a miter box (not difficult to do). For angled cuts, no corner blocks, sounds like you'll have to hire it out.
In my case, I will use the crown molding to hide a LED strip. The molding will be in my home theater and I will mount it a few inches from the ceiling so the LED will cast a light around the room. The LED can also change colors. Pretty cool.
OK, you have a practical reason for installing crown molding.
I still can't understand what's so wrong about a plain right angle.
And I'd still like to know what a crown molding emergency is.
Those things have to be measured very accurately and are typically done on site.
What things, the corner blocks??
No, you can buy them at Home Depot for $4 per block. Use Liquid Nails to glue them into the corners and then measure between two for the length of each length of crown.
I installed baseboards and let me tell you those miter boxes suck. If you want to do this rent a quality miter saw(power tool). But since you say you don't consider yourself handy just hire a pro. The worst thing is spending countless hours on a project and having it not look good and crown molding isn't easy.
Harborfreight has a compound miter saw for sale at a reasonable price for a DYI homeowner personal projects like the one your talking about for only $89.99 with coupon number 98508720
No, you can buy them at Home Depot for $4 per block. Use Liquid Nails to glue them into the corners and then measure between two for the length of each length of crown.
Yes. That's what I meant. Corner to corner crown moulding requires fancy equipment and is difficult to do. The blocks only require 90 degree cuts. Wainscoting requires 45 degree cuts without blocks (doable).
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