Internal joinery covers doors, skirting, architraves and alcove cabinetry, and it is one of the easiest trades to under-spec on paper while still quoting a believable number. Two joiners can price the same room £600 apart because one is quoting MDF with two coats of undercoat and the other solid oak with four coats sprayed off-site.
Before you sign anything, the written specification should let you picture the exact material standing in the room, not just a description of the job.
Timber species and board type by element
The quote should name the material for each element separately — skirting might be MDF for a painted finish while a feature door surround is solid oak. 'Timber' or 'hardwood' on its own is not a specification; ask for the species (redwood, oak, sapele) or the board grade (MR MDF, moisture-resistant MDF, veneered MDF).
For period-matched skirting and architraves, the profile number or a photograph of the matched moulding should be referenced, because 'period-style' skirting comes in dozens of profiles and heights.
Moulding profile and dimensions
Skirting height, architrave width and moulding profile (ogee, torus, chamfered, bullnose) should be stated in millimetres, not just 'to match existing'. If you're matching an existing Victorian profile, the joiner should either take a template on site or state that a profile cutter will be sourced or made.
Door thickness (35mm or 44mm), whether doors are solid-core or hollow-core, and ironmongery (hinge count, handle set, latch or lock) all belong in the line item, since these change both cost and how the door will sit and sound closing.
Fixing method and site tolerances
Skirting and architrave fixing method matters for a clean finish — pinned and filled, screwed and pelleted, or adhesive-fixed. The quote should state which, along with whether gaps to uneven walls will be scribed or covered with quadrant beading.
Door tolerances should allow for a consistent gap around the leaf (usually 2-3mm) and level thresholds; a quote that doesn't mention easing doors to suit an out-of-square opening is assuming a perfect frame that older houses rarely have.
Finish and number of coats
Whether joinery is factory-sprayed, hand-painted on site, or left for the decorator to finish changes both price and durability. A specification should state primer and topcoat counts (commonly one primer, one undercoat, two topcoats for a durable painted finish) and whether knots are sealed before priming.
For clear-finished hardwood, state whether it's oiled, waxed or lacquered, since each has a different maintenance cycle and none of them are interchangeable once applied.
What cheap quotes usually miss
Making good to plaster and wall surfaces after removing old skirting or architrave is routinely left off, along with disposal of the stripped-out timber. Filling and caulking joints before painting is another common omission that shows up as visible seams once the paint is dry.
Also check whether the quote includes easing existing doors that have dropped or swollen — a common Kent cottage problem on solid brick walls with damp movement — as a separate labour item, since some quotes assume new doors only and skip remedial work on existing ones.
Common questions
Should a joinery quote specify the exact skirting profile number?+
Ideally yes, or a clear photograph and dimensions of the profile being matched. Vague terms like 'period skirting' cover a huge range of heights and shapes, and you want to know exactly what will be fitted before work starts.
Is MDF or solid timber better for painted skirting?+
MDF is standard for painted skirting because it doesn't move with humidity the way solid timber can, giving cleaner mitre joints over time. Solid timber is worth the extra cost mainly where it will be left unpainted or where you want genuine period authenticity.
Does the quote need to mention making good after removing old skirting?+
Yes — it should. Stripping out old skirting or architrave almost always damages the plaster behind it, and patching that is real labour and material that needs to be priced, not assumed as free.
Get a proper written joinery spec
We'll survey the room, name every material and finish, and give you an itemised quote you can actually compare.