How To Fit Skirting Boards Like a Pro

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James shows us how he likes to fit skirting boards in this quick guide.
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#SkirtingBoards #DIYhelp #SkillBuilder
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[@SkillBuilder]

Follow our link to enjoy two months of Readly for FREE, after that a subscription will cost you just £7.99 a month: readly.me/skillbuilder

[@anglo-saxon9182]

F@vv aš@l)LD))) be free a km d we

[@thfc4745]

Never knew this was a thing, i subscribe to a few mags, this has them and the daily newspapers. Cheers will be swapping to this.

[@peterwooldridge7285]

Wow, a chippy who owns a piece of sandpaper!

[@Hollegripchannel]

Nice work, but For anyone starting out would suggest always doing the straight longer runs first. Square cuts and scribe all the smaller pieces going into them. Less material waste if mistakes are made

[@richardbaker7204]

When you said about if the grain goes in the wrong direction on the plug, and it goes below the face, a little tip, instead of having to dig the plug to replace it, like you said, and risk damaging the sides of the hole, just screw a longer screw into the plug that need to be removed, and the tip of the screw, hits the head of screw inside the hole, and draws the plug straight out, without causing any damage. Give it a go, works every time providing the glue is still wet. 👍

[@paulyoull5472]

I plug every job I do. That’s a new one on me..... can’t wait to give it a go. Cheers

[@jimichip]

Brilliant! Thanks.

[@SkillBuilder]

Richard Baker That is a good tip

[@noskills9577]

@@jimichip what brand of sink and plug cutters are you using? Not had much luck with plug cutters in the past. Cheers 👍🏻

[@jimichip]

@@noskills9577 that’s just an erbauer set from screwfix.

[@Trevor_Austin]

I commented on the Cowboy Builder video about tradesmen not being paid what they are worth. Here’s an example. That skirting board will still look great in 30, 40, 50 maybe even 100 years time because of the skill in its fixing. The value of the work done by James per hour is worth no less than that done by solicitors, accountants or Mercedes technicians. It would therefore be reasonable for him to be rewarded at the same rate.

[@jimichip]

Thanks Trevor.

[@epiphgd4302]

@@jimichip I agree. Super work, so tidy. I’ve done skirtings before, after paying a ‘tiler’ to level floor and tile. His version of a level floor was a joke. When it came to adding the skirting it was like a see saw. I didn’t have the skill to do scribes on the bottom so now the gaps serve as lovely dust and fluff collection points! Was so disappointed in the tiler tho.

[@SimonOutdoors]

Doesn’t it take less time to train this skill though?! Accountants probably 10+ years and considerably more £ to train hence a higher reward

[@SassyTheSasquatch96]

Not to be an arse but that would paradoxically create even more cowboys as class workers doing a standard job would be a luxury rather than the standard, in one way the great oppression of the industrial revolution made quality affordable as tradesmen with skill where paid in buttons and led exposure.

[@jablot5054]

​@@SimonOutdoorsAccountcy degree 3 years. A craftsman 5 year apprenticeship then 5 years on the tools.

[@RichardConnor1]

This really is an excellent masterclass on how to fit skirting. I've referred to this over and over as I fit my own. Thanks guys.

[@mickieb74]

Here's a skirting tip for you... Use "skirting bricks" lol, i often say to the labourers on site "don't take my skirting bricks" when they're cleaning up having a laugh like but here's why i use them and why others I've met on site have started to use "skirting bricks" aa well 😂 It's simply a method i discovered for quicker, easier and more accurate measurements wall to wall over longer runs, place a brick either end and one in the middle (roughly) this will stop the tape measure from bowing, the height of the brick is roughly centre height of the skirting board and by using this method being raised off the floor means the end of your tape measure doesn't slide into that annoying gap between bottom of plaster board and the floor hook tape over brick and the weight of the brick will hold it there while you make your way to the other end of the wall, then just push it back a few mm if it's slightly off the wall where you started from and you will have a much more accurate measurement "Skirting bricks" 😂 Simple method that more and more people i meet on site are now using, give it a try my fellow chippies, ha 👍😉👌

[@philedwards4505]

How the hell can this video have 12 dislikes !!!! I would like to see anyone do better. Keep up the great work, James you are a credit to your profession.

[@nickhickson8738]

A great dedicated bloke. Wish I knew him.

[@jimichip]

Cheers Phil.

[@jimichip]

@@nickhickson8738 thanks👍

[@hb5777]

Sometimes people hit the thumbs down by accident and don't realise. Large fingers, small phone and all that

[@rww805]

The skirting looks proud of the arch. I'd have coped the other board because you are less likely to see it looking down the hall, which is the direction you'll look at it from. It doesn't look like any attempt was made to keep a consistent gap between the board and the floor. Jesus, there are enough screws to pull it in. Maybe there are 12 other OCDs watching this. I am not alone.

[@0000kris0000]

Putting the tape on the floor first was a brilliant tip! I always like to caulk the skirting to a finished floor and having the tape on first would make it loads easier. I can’t believe I’ve never though of marking the scribe angle on the length first either. I always cut the scribe square and then rescribe it to the angle. A couple of tips for you... that plug cutter looks like mine and if you’re cutting out of material as thick as that skirting you can just cut right through and and then plugs will just pop out of the cutter, saves you having to dig them out of the wood. And secondly, use a multi tool to cut them off and sand them, a million times quicker and easier than a chisel. Might even be able to set a router flush with the surface on some plugs.

[@tinytonymaloney7832]

A true craftsmen doing a job he enjoys. Well done 👍👍👍👍

[@my520graj]

I like to cut the plugs from the back of the board. Right next to the holes that give me plugs with very close colour and shade. Thanks for another great tip video.

[@SkillBuilder]

That is a clever idea.

[@johnblanning2500]

Great tip!

[@MrMareks123]

Great job 👏. I’m painter & decorator by trade and I’m so pleased to see that Chippy is putting the masking tape under the skirtings. I’m asking this for years. Thanks for video 👍🏻

[@devonfarmerkevvo]

Really great to see a vid on fitting pine when everything is mostly MDF didn’t realise you need so many fixings. All the skill builder carpentry videos have been invaluable to me doing my home renovation , keep up the amazing work 👍🏻👌🏻🙌🏼

[@multirole240]

The old adage "do you want it to be level or ,do you want it to look level" still stands

[@gravey07]

Just when you think you have all you need to stick skirting on as a regular DIYer, then you watch the above video. Some great tips in there!!! Thanks!

[@ghgjftythnhcfghdty]

Up and down the entire nation wives are watching Eastenders and Corrie, and their husbands have got the ipad and are watching "how to fit skirting boards".

[@quiteabitmad]

My hubby is watching footy on the telly, I'm the one watching 'how to fit skirting boards' as I'm the one who does the diy.

[@benh1216]

@@quiteabitmad Good for you!

[@thesage1096]

@@quiteabitmad your hubby is lucky, have him cook you up a nice course meal some time

[@ProzacPreacher]

And everyone is totally freaking out over the Torx mark at 17:00 and completely disregarding all the other craftsmanship that has gone in to the job previously :)

[@nannanz2097]

Nonsense, I hate soaps, never watch them; I love DiY and carpentry

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Another master class with James with a bucket full of 2 minute tips , superb . Roger , I bumped into the guy I served my time with the other day. A brilliant bricky who put me through my apprenticeship. He is still bricklaying and he turns 84 next month ! And he looks great ( rare for a bricky ) but he ALWAYS used to say “If it looks right it is right “ just as you said Rog 😉🧱👍🏼

[@jimichip]

Never a truer word said!

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

@@jimichip 😉🧱👍🏽

[@SkillBuilder]

I must have met him. Actually it may have come from the brickie I worked with who also said "Your eye is your best friend".

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

@@SkillBuilder . Spot on . You may have gone to school together ? You’re about the same age aren’t you Rog 😉😆😆🧱👍🏽

[@stuco81]

As a decorator I can only say I wish all the trades I have to follow in were as careful/thoughtful with their work as this chap. I've just had to sort some brand new wood veneer skirting that had been 'fitted' with a nail gun! Nail heads were left protruding all over the place, one six ft length had about 20 pins fired into it as they were obviously struggling to get a fixing. Looked like a shot up Messerschmitt!

[@matthewhook3375]

Love watching James work, the skill, attention to detail and sheer precision is so satisfying to watch.

[@MrJFoster1984]

The scribe should always be hidden from sight from the doorway/entrance so that if the joints open up slightly you cannot look into them. Like the use of the tape underneath. If the walls are out a bit I like to run a bead of painter's caulk on the back to it prior to fixing then just wipe off the excess. 👍

[@PragnellJohn]

Just how we were taught years ago, using the entrance to the room to determine which ends are scrbes and which are straight cuts.

[@tomwills2309]

Great video. Chippie myself and always looking for ways to improve my workflow. I was always taught when doing skirting board never to box yourself in. Always put your first length between two walls first and work away from it but I prefer your way of working right to left. Also with the skirting being slightly tilted I used to get the angle with a bevel and transfer it to the chop saw but I’m going to start doing it your way scribing a line to get the angle on the saw. So much easier. Great video! More carpentry videos by James please 👍🏻

[@vinnysurti]

Love how the screw holes are covered up👍🏽 Good tip

[@brianoneill350]

Well explained. I like Robins videos but this chap explains it better.

[@AB-C1]

Excellent video and craftsmanship! Great stuff! As a DIYer with minimal experience I fitted my own skirtings about 12 years ago when I renovated my house having never done anything like that before. I did it all with a hacksaw and by eye, (luckily I'm a perfectionist and pretty good with angles being I like playing pool now and then lol) anyway for some unknown reason EVERY WALL was out internal and external corners even the walls themselves! So I couldn't use a mitre saw on any of it! If LITERALLY had to eyeball it and hope for the best and luckily taking my time it came out perfect bit jees was it STRESSFUL! Any very slight gaps I burnished with a screw driver and filled any holes on the horizontal on the wall with decorators filler and I didn't use ANY fixings but I used LOADS of No Nails and a combination of ladders against the opposite wall and weights to hold the skirtings against the VERY wavey walls while it dried! Luckily they're ALL still in place even after having carpet fitted twice so been tested with Knee kickers and held up well! I didn't have an electric mitre saw just an old rusty BLUNT manual one wouldn't have been much help anyway! SO I improvised EVERYTHING with a mini hacksaw and sanded after if not smooth or to get contours.. YOUVE restored my faith in people who are like me measure twice cut once and perfectionists do a job properly/take pride in their work!! Just subscribed and will be checking out your other videos to get more tips tricks and knowledge. Top man! Excellent job mate! 👍😎

[@georgethompson997]

A good informative video by the very likeable James. However, it's not best practice to work from left to right, or vis-a-versa. For example, if you did an fireplace alcove you would want to do a full-length on the back piece and then fit the left and right pieces after. Working that way you 'hide' the scribe from direct viewing. And that's the general rule that you cut the scribe in the least visible side. I'd also back cut at just a few degrees (on a 90 degree corner) rather than 15 degrees. That way you can dab some glue on the scribe and achieve a better bond on the two meeting surfaces. I'm not sure I'd recommend cutting the plaster bead; you could get into all sorts of problem. I'd just knock off any excess plaster below the skirting and cut the skirting to suit. A couple of scrap pieces of skirting with a 45 degree cut can be used to 'test' the corner before cutting on the saw. You soon get an eye for how to adjust your saw to cut a corner. And of course mitre bond the two pieces of the external corner before fixing into position.

[@SkillBuilder]

Lots of ways to do it George. What problems do you come across when cutting the bead. I have always done it because they often kick out.

[@georgethompson997]

@@SkillBuilder Of course there's lots of ways to do a job. However, if you title you video "like a Pro" then you invite constructive comment, which mine was. And the "Pro" way to fit skirting is to position the scribes out of direct line of sight whenever possible. So you can't just say work from left to right or vis-a-versa. You cut the scribe where they're least visible. On the beading, i can see it being easy to 'crack' the plaster on the wall along the bead, you can also end up with the bead over the skirting, which you wouldn't want. Also, on a price work job you couldn't possibly lose time cutting plaster beads back. It's much easier, quicker and just as neat to cut the skirting to suit (sometimes you have to scallop out the back of the skiting with a chisel in extreme cases). I like James, and he strives for a high quality job. Take my comment in the constructive way it was sent.

[@trevordarby467]

Great to watch as a chippy general contractor people won’t pay for that expertise and if they did how would you quote for that but great to see a true tradesmen

[@markmills7640]

Good saying If it looks right it is right, spot on & the way I do mine can't beat the drill countersink plug bits love em, saves so much time and a perfect job I cut plugs off with Japanese saw then just block plane off or sand up in secand works a treat

[@mistervelux]

Just a quick shout regards expanding foam.. theirs a product called megastick! It doesnt expand as much so less cleaning!

[@jimichip]

Thanks, I’ll look it up.

[@danielbolton6905]

I use any, and I literally mean any brand of expanding foam and it always works a treat.

[@daveishywood782]

Is that like instastik?

[@_tmmy_]

That’s a really good tip using the wooden plugs to fill the fixing holes on the skirting, a lot more easier than doing a fill with some wood filler and not being able to get it completely flush in one go, saves a load of time in regards to filling!

[@nathan87]

It's necessary if the skirting isn't being painted. This way it just looks like one unbroken piece of wood, instead of having visible circles of filler all along the skirting.

[@adhafer4542]

Thanks a lot gents. Some good tips there! Did a job a few days ago a plaster was absolutely terrible. Spent a good amount of time adding spacers at the bottom of the wall. The expanding foam is a brilliant idea. Also the what he mention about the external mitres was brill! Would love to see another video where he does a full room.

[@stephencarlisle3743]

A much quicker way is making a Scribe Block . This is a piece of skirting say 200mm long with a scribe on each end . You then push your required skirting up to the fixed skirting . Now place the scribe block against the fixed skirting and draw around the skirting that needs a scribe ... This will replicate if the fixed skirting is out of plumb . Sorry about my awful description, it’s easier to do rather than describe the procedure. Great video though

[@Sjf542]

That’s how I do it. In fact I think I saw Mr Clevett recommending the scribe template tip on this very channel 😆

[@SkillBuilder]

yes there are lots of ways to do it. The way James does it allows for floors which are not level

[@danielbolton6905]

I seen lots of chippies get good results using your method. Personally I do it more or less the same way as JK. For the same reasons too.

[@roberttemple358]

Correct,I'm a Carpenter and Joiner and that's how ive done it for years, with an offcut 8" pattern scribe . I scribe to floor too and ALWAYS paint prime back of timber to prevent cupping. I put Gripfil on back and plug and screw.

[@spanishpeaches2930]

I always get the wood knotted, primed and at least one coat of undercoat on bare wood , skirts before i attatched them. So much easier to paint them properly at a workable height than on your knees.

[@jakebonner7855]

Great job James I always use this method but the tape is a great idea.I also use a palm router to take the top off the plugs just set it to the depth but put a bit of tape under it when setting the depth one rub of sandpaper job done. Keep up the good work first class.

[@jimichip]

Cheers Jake. Nice tip with the router and how to set it up!

[@mattryan1986]

I do my scribes exactly the same James but with the external mitres I use the same kind of technique used for the scribes by marking the back of skirting on corner of wall and cutting my 45° mitre on that line. Gets the mitres perfect and saves messing with/attacking the bead/plaster

[@SkillBuilder]

Hi Matt I think if you watch that bit again James is saying exactly that. On externals don't go to the wall. Get the top mark and cut a perfect mitre that you can glue and pin. Then if the plaster is kicking it out chop out the plaster or even the lower edge of the skirting so it sits in.

[@mattryan1986]

@@SkillBuilder no I'm saying if you mark the wall on the back of the skirting and cut your mitre on that line you are effectively scribing the mitre to any shape the wall might have therefore not needing to knock any plaster or the bead off. James will understand what I'm saying. Effectively you make the mitre a very slight compound mitre for if the walls out

[@mattryan1986]

@@SkillBuilder obvs if the wall is particularly bad then James method works best as you wouldn't want to see a mitre having a too bigga compound to it as the mitre wouldn't look very straight but if its just a degree or two my method works well

[@allocate78]

Learned a new method here in the USA Phoenix. This looks amazing. That’ll last 100years

[@acciid]

When I renovated my last house, which was Edwardian, we had wide skirting boards (8" or so) topped with a staff bead. I wanted to leave the wood bare to match the floors which I'd had stripped and waxed. So I stripped off 100 years worth of paint (lead, yuk) and the grain was revealed, nicely aged, knots and all. I didn't want to use dowels and it was too thin anyway. So the whole lot was pinned. There were blocks of wood behind, which is how they did it back then, so it was pretty easy to get back on. I had to put my own blocks on in places but they looked the business when done. Rustic and original, which was what I wanted in that house.

[@SkillBuilder]

Yes those wooden soldiers (grounds) in the back make the job a lot easier. They used to put them behind door linings and all sorts of things. It was before the days of electric drills so it made life easier.

[@goober650NX]

@@SkillBuilder I remember my dad (shipwright by trade) making wooden wedges and hand chiselling a slow helix on them from thick to thin so that they would twist slightly as they were being hammered in between the bricks and lock themselves in thereby providing a base for nails or screws.

[@airwolf08]

Great video a joiner i worked with many years ago used to put a saw cut in the plugs to allow any air or excess glue to come out

[@DelH555]

Good to see James back on the SB. Never tried the expanding foam as a fixer before but does make sense, I use a Veritas Flush cutting saw on plugs. Before I first use the saw I always 'take off' one side of the saw with some sandpaper as invariably even when you are careful the teeth mark the wood. Brilliant video Guys👍🏻

[@jimichip]

Ian uses the Veritas flush cutting saw. It’s a great tool!

[@paulyoull5472]

With regards to cutting the plugs when you have a lot to do. I carry a wafer thin piece of steel which I cut a hole in which slips over the plug. I then use the multi cutter to strip them back without damaging the timber, followed by a light sand.... jobs a buck!! Very efficient. Also with internal corners. If the bottom of the straight cut piece falls in at the bottom you can put a plug and screw in the wall behind it and adjust the screw to take the flex.

[@SkillBuilder]

Great tip, we're having that.

[@DrunkenKnight71]

That tip to use expanding foam is great...I'll have some skirting to do very soon and am going to borrow that idea

[@keithmulhall4900]

I always place an offcut in front of the fixed piece and then mark the scribe on the piece to be scribed.Gives a line thats easier to see and your not cutting from nothing.Makes it easier.Way I was always shown.

[@SkillBuilder]

That is a way of doing it. In the end if it works then it is right

[@keithmulhall4900]

@@SkillBuilder 100%.People never realise theres a lot that actually goes into skirting.Especially if the walls or floors are bad.Great channel.Keep up the good work. 👍

[@johnwardle9667]

Good video guys. My question is, if you were painting the skirts, would you ever prime or paint them laid flat before cutting and fitting them? Going round on your knees for 2-3 coats around the radiators and everything doesn't suit me. I normally paint them flat, which lets the paint dry really flat. Sometimes a single final coat once they're in place, or maybe even just touch up and a clean.

[@SkillBuilder]

Yes pre-painting skirtings and fascias is a good approach and we do it a lot. Like you say flat is really flat, you can't get much flatter.

[@mickthemonkey]

Nice bit of attention to detail & craftsmanship.

[@mark-jonathanwilkinson2994]

Great vid, I've used sanding disks on my grinder to achieve similar back cut and cope.

[@The2follow]

Really enjoy watching, always been a nemesis for me but after watching this and the tips given i might just make an ok job next time on my home projects. But not to the standard you do. Thank you for posting

[@SkillBuilder]

You can do it!

[@everydaydaddoingsh1tdeanog821]

I remember serving my apprentice and luckily I only ever fitted MDF moulding so much easier to correct mistakes (as an apprentice) and a lot more flexible, then hit a brick wall with a 12” torus I just couldnt get the scribe rite, it’s a bit easier now 10 years down the line!! 😂😂 Love James’s work though keep it up 😎😎

[@garethheathcote4988]

Foam is my go to fixing but the insta stick low expansion stuff, it's more expensive but goes off in ten to fifteen minutes nice video. 👍

[@joesmith822]

Nice to know that you adjust the the wall to fit external mitres to.

[@herbalSket]

skirt a room always start with the back wall as you walk in the room.. or the end of a hallway you walk towards most..then run your scribes into that..this way if any gaps open up over time you don’t look into them as you walk into the room especially if you are just staining them. All being said tho this guy is tidy and officiant!

[@SkillBuilder]

There will be no gaps. The timber won't shrink along its length.

[@herbalSket]

@@SkillBuilder stuff does always move and cracks do always appear no mater how good you get intersections.. and the way iv been thought helps hide that as much as possible..just wanted to add abit more of a logical way to cut a room rather than just the way you find it easier on the chop saw. Want to say again tho he’s a good chippy!

[@herbalSket]

Taught”

[@robertbamford8266]

Missed this when it came out. How is that possible? In any event, interesting how you address fixing the baseboard into masonry/mortar. Do you ever use a shoe moulding (quarter round or similar profile) to handle uneven floors? Very popular and common in California where house movement is de rigueur.

[@thetallcarpenter]

We call it floor scotia, and yes, we do use it here in the UK, but mostly when laying new laminate/wood flooring up to existing skirting boards to cover the gap 👍

[@SuperJameslayer]

Well I thought I had the basic idea on how to fit my skirting but after this video I'm completely lost. This is definitely more skilled than many of the others I have watched.

[@R08mky]

That's some fine workmanship, I'm a fan of expanding foam myself but tend to use the gyproc adhesive rather than actual expanding foam. I really liked the masking tape trick. Proper job, well done

[@AB-nu5we]

Very well thought out process for fitting the skirting. Great tips. There are woodworkers that have shown that the only two miter saws that have blades that are perpendicular to the back fence when beveled are the Bosch and Festool saws. They instead put the wood vertical on the table and set the table angle to the desired angle to make the cut.

[@SkillBuilder]

That wont get you the correct angle unless it is 90 degrees

[@LondonSoundSystem]

I just had to use an Evolution RM210 to produce internal and external bevels, where walls and floors are both way out, I used 45 90 45 set square to fine tune the blade, bevel, fence relationships and it came out perfect. No downwards pressure though.

[@ross2595]

A basic question here from a novice. At the moment you first put the wood on the wall, I saw you drill into the wall through the wood. Did you put a rawl plug into the wall through the wood as well or was that first drill like a pilot hole? I would think if you could fit a rawl plug through the wood it would mean the hole would be too big to hold the screw head after?? 🤔

[@TheMark1840]

you put a screw into the rawl plug and hammer it through into the hole - then use the driver to tighten it up

[@ross2595]

@@TheMark1840 Thank you. I'll give that a try

[@johnblanning2500]

I think that is true. Best way is to drill through the wood (after a hole has been made with a wood drill) with a small masonry drill, then remove the skirting, drill the correct size holes for the plugs, plug, put skirting back and fix. Takes more time though, but a more secure fixing.

[@markmills7640]

Nice job, I always poor some glue into some of the empty plug hole bit of timber used to cut out the plugs, The plug fits in and gets glue right round then tap into hole saves trying to use glue nosal to get all round plug

[@chrisuk1287]

Brilliant, a professional tradesman with actual pride in his work, great job and thanks for the tips 😀

[@sprintervanconversions]

True craftsman...the attention to detail is great!

[@peterfriel5129]

Last time i saw how to fit skirting boards like this, was Tommy Walsh and Alan over 15 yrs ago. Old school method !!

[@AbulHussain-hh9rg]

I’ve saved so much money watching your videos. Used the step over method for rafter length to replace a conservatory roof now the wife wants me to do the main roof. Thank you. Excellent tutorials and priceless info.

[@lukethompson5227]

Must be nice using pine with a simple chamfer that's not bent, twisted and cupped.

[@tombush]

i thought the same, the prep work hes also put in to fit these skirtings hasent been shown, hes literally smashed off all the plaster below the top of the skirting, also hes not glueing his scribes? there is never enough time to do skirting this way, if you have a hallway with no external mitres - it shouldnt take anyone more than couple of hours - if that. hes spent all day doing this

[@roryhackett4218]

I do this for a living. Always good nodding along to a video

[@johna6327]

Just realising that James is about as much a perfectionist as Robin.

[@jimichip]

Very kind of you to say but I have a long way to go!

[@johna6327]

@@jimichip you're cut from the same cloth I'm sure. Keep 'em coming 👍

[@brianhill1294]

That’s exactly how I fit skirting boards including the tape on the floor. Works every time. Job well done 👍

[@cliveclapham6451]

Nice to see properly coped internals. 😉👍

[@alexmoules8630]

Pu Foam and 13g masonry Nailer is my go to method of fixing so much faster.

[@kendodd8734]

That’s a blast from the past I ain’t seen or done plug and pellets on timber for donkeys years with the advent of all the tubed adhesives I thought the old way had been resigned to the history books but it does work but my god is it a slow and laborious process I prefer to spend less time on my knees nowadays they ain’t what they used to b

[@alexjames1146]

Pretty much how I like to do it. Nicely demonstrated. Low key. Stress free.

[@amazing451]

Another great looking job James, and I always followed much the same proceedure when I was working, never used foam though and i'd doubt if the foremen would buy it anyway. I thought you might like 1 tip get yourself a Veritas flush cutting saw, there great if you are plugging skirting much to trim those plugs and will do the job in half the time as well.

[@jimichip]

Ian uses one and it’s great but he wasn’t there that day!

[@BuildWithAE]

Hi James beautiful done and really well explained the only thing I do slightly different is the scribe I put the scribe to the most not visible corner in case of movement in the old days they used to tongue them in can you imagine people doing that now but I do think it would be cool all the best Tony 👍

[@SkillBuilder]

Hi Tony The skirtings in my house are all tongued in. A bit of a pig to remove in one piece with the cut nails and all but I have worked it out now. Roger

[@jimichip]

Cheers Tony. Loads of people have mentioned that I should have done it that way and they’re right. I suppose it’s just years of using MDF skirtings that don’t move and me trying to speed up the process! I would love to do the full tongue on the flat section, that is proper scribing. Unfortunately it’s all about time and money nowadays.

[@johncropper5857]

Makes a nice change to see someone actually using screws to fix the skirting instead of just gripfill,👍

[@Solidsnake0208]

Yay! I’m a pro already it seems! Self taught on skirtings and oddly I use the exact same method as James

[@TheLondonForever00]

Some great tips there, loved the dowels, they were spot on chaps. Thanks for the videos, still learning bundles! 👍

[@geoffgoodall3839]

Not Dowell, correct terminology, called pellets or grain pins.

[@kirstencook113]

So impressive. I never realised what goes into it. Much respect!

[@frankspig]

love this channel lots of tips lots of skill and for once most of the comments are banter or sharing sorted

[@richardsedorski1206]

What good workmanship well done👍👍👍

[@telsaw892]

Always a pleasure to see a true professional at work. Thank you for the tips.

[@HashMeister]

Nice work though this is one the plain and easiest skirting boards to fix, older style skirting boards like Victorian with moulding patterns are harder to cope cut. Also always prefer modern MDF skirting to hardwood, doesn't expand/contact though can't say if it will last just as long.

[@davidcavaliere1525]

Been fitting skirting with insta stick for years , it’s like expanding foam but goes off quicker and don’t expand as much with no fixings , you don’t need all those fixings mate .also chamfered skirting , can do scribes all on chop saw 👍

[@jimichip]

I put all those fixings in because I don’t trust today’s pine. If it was mdf I’d just use expanding foam and a few pins.

[@davidcavaliere1525]

@@jimichip that is true actually, I agree it can’t be trusted 👍

[@davidcavaliere1525]

The tape tip I’ll be using nice 👍

[@garethburrell868]

I’d love to only have customers who are willing to accept the time and cost of doing jobs properly but it’s not always the case. Really enjoy watching you guys doing quality jobs

[@2004NEGRO]

Thanks for the video. Great work! How would you cut the scrib if the skirting boards are square?

[@hardworker8030]

Can you show use how to sharpen a chisel.

[@tlabort]

A great video THANKS

[@hb5777]

Title says 'Like a Pro', but he's not a pro. He's a master.

[@jimichip]

Thanks but I think that’s pushing it a bit!

[@M0ssTh0mas]

@@jimichip Come on James, let's see you start up your own channel and make your own videos. Lots of people wanting this

[@TheBarnylondon]

@@jimichip agreed

[@davidpeppert9168]

Excellent presentation of how it should be done! Some brilliant tips.

[@shaheb777]

Fantastic work bro

[@barryexecutivesgmailaccoun6355]

Love these videos. May I ask, why not get Gripfill and use that instead of drilling for fasteners. And also do you use expansion foam to stuck them as opposed to anything else?

[@antonoat]

A sharp chisel, one of life's pleasures, lol. great job.

[@adgeebike9173]

Some good tradesmen on this channel.

[@michaelplays2449]

Enjoyable video, thanks

[@twmd]

this is how i do my boards. It's true the first few times you do it is frustrating but the method + time becomes a bit of a meditation :D

[@kadzo1000]

Great Video Roger and Top marks James I do mine the same way, it takes a bit more time but the job is always spot on. I like the masking tape trick I'll give it a go on the next job 👍🏻

[@ianfinch1522]

Top job though I would normally do the longer runs wall to wall then scribe up to them. 👍

[@dunch1988]

I do it the same as he shows... No matter how much I try my left handed scribes are never as good as my right handed ones!!

[@no_short_circuit]

What a true craftsman. Beautiful work.

[@_retrogamer999]

Really good providing some really good insight for a job that's most, including me, hate.

[@robertmichaelholliday8161]

Good to see how it should be done, I’ve been bodging it for years 👍🏻 thanks for the video

[@lozryan7534]

Perfect job. You need ear defenders using that saw mate. I’ve the same and my ears know to it if I cut without mine.

[@leebarber5425]

do you ever check the level of the skirting? if youve got a floor thats out of level & you put the skirting tight down it can look bad? hope that makes sense, ta

[@jimichip]

Yes, we discussed it a little bit in the video.

[@stevehall6299]

Top tips! Magic! Thanks fella. 👍 ...and advice in comments.

[@rezakazemi6424]

ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO. THANKS GENTS . REGATRS

[@petethegardener239]

Sorry if I sound stupid how does that drill bit work? The plug goes through the wood, how does the screw not just go straight through. Is some kind of fixing screw and plug. Have they a name?

[@SkillBuilder]

The hole is countersunk but it doesn't go through the whole way. The plug is shallow and just sits on top of the screwhead to hide it. You can buy the whole thing in a kit at Toolstation or anywhere that sells tools. It is called a plug cutter.

[@petethegardener239]

@@SkillBuilder cheers dude I’m heading to screw fix or tool station to tomorrow, your vid/skills are spot on 😀👍👊

[@Settez123]

Great video. Interesting about the expanding foam, I thought that would have pushed it away even while pinned.

[@jimichip]

Thanks Luke. That was my initial thought when I first started using foam but it’s actually not that powerful. It works really well and is a lot more effective than a lot of the grab adhesives.

[@danielbolton6905]

The brads hold it in place whilst the foam goes off and if the walls are friable a quick water mist with the spray bottle and the bond is vastly improved also goes off quicker too.

[@patrickflynn6423]

When I fit skirting I paint it first or varnish it then all you have to do is touch it up it's a lot quicker and you don't have to do all that kneeling down .

[@TheGinger95]

New sub contractor from the US here. So far, I’ve just seen us hit the skirting with brad nails and then fill the pin holes. Is it more common to screw them in over there?

[@SkillBuilder]

We do that pinning as well especially with MDF . James was concered about the wood cupping and didn't want the filled pin holes. .

[@TheGinger95]

@@SkillBuilder gotcha. Thank you for the info!