Learn how much it costs to Install Baseboard. (2024)

Updated September 21, 2022

Reviewed by Andy Kilborn, Expert Home Building and Remodeling Contributor. Written by HomeAdvisor.

Installing baseboards for a home with a perimeter of 144 feet costs $1,060 on average. Homeowners might pay as low as $720 and as much as $1,300. These costs include both labor and materials. Expect to pay more if you need existing baseboard or molding removed.

“One trick when installing baseboards (if you're painting them) is to apply caulk to the joints as well as where the baseboard meets the wall. After painting, it creates a seamless look,” says Andy Kilborn, Expert Review Board member and owner of Andy's Handyman Service in Des Moines, IA.

In this article

  • Average Cost to Install Baseboard
  • Baseboard Installation Cost Per Linear Foot
  • Labor Cost to Install Baseboard Trim
  • Baseboard Costs by Type
  • Cost to Install Baseboard by Material
  • Baseboard Installation Cost Factors
  • DIY Baseboard Installation vs. Hiring a Professional
  • FAQs

Average Cost to Install Baseboard

Average Cost Hogh Cost Low Cost
$1,060 $1,300 $720

Expect to pay between $5.70 and $8.95 per linear foot for baseboard installation. Contractors usually price installation by the linear foot, and these costs include materials and labor. However, you’ll likely pay at least $15 more if you need debris removal. Most contractors don’t include this in their installation pricing.

Labor Cost to Install Baseboard Trim

As with the labor cost to install trim throughout your house, the labor cost to install baseboards is $4.90 to $7.75 per linear foot. Baseboard materials are pretty inexpensive (only about $0.60 to $1.20 per linear foot). Labor makes up most of your price.

Talk to Local Baseboard Pros for Custom Quotes

Baseboard Costs by Type

There are several different baseboard styles, each with a different shape. Simpler types, such as shoe molding, cost less than more complex designs like base molding.

Baseboard Type Cost Range per Linear Foot (All-In) Average Cost (All-In)
Shoe molding $5.30 – $8.25 $6.77
Quarter round molding $5.50 – $8.75 $7.12
Base molding $5.50 – $10.05 $7.77

Cost to Install Baseboard by Material

Wood, medium density fiberboard (MDF), and PVC are the three main types of baseboards for residential use. Wood is the most expensive but easiest to repair and has the most luxurious look.

MDF is a mid-priced option that's easy to install, maintain, and moderately easy to repair. PVC is the least expensive, often made to look like wood, but impossible to repair, which is particularly problematic as PVC baseboards are prone to impact damage.

Type of Baseboard Price Range per Foot Average Price per Foot
PVC $0.90 – $1.40 $1.15
MDF $1.00 – $1.34 $1.17
Wood $1.40 – $10.00 $5.70

Baseboard Installation Cost Factors

The price of baseboard installation depends on a few different factors, including the finish you want and whether you're replacing existing baseboards or installing new. Additionally, when replacing baseboards, you may find the wall or floor needs repairs, too, which can increase the project price.

Removal and Disposal

For the average property with a 144-foot perimeter, expect to pay $220 for removing the old baseboards, including the cost of removing the waste and debris. Expect to pay around $20 for a service to come and collect it for you if the disposal isn't included in the cost,

Painting

If the baseboards you choose are unfinished, you'll need to stain or paint them. If your local handyperson does the painting at the same time as the installation, expect to pay an additional $1 to $5 per square foot. However, if you plan to paint your baseboards as part of a wider home painting project, it may make more sense to hire a local painter instead.

Floor and Wall Repairs

It's not uncommon for a contractor to find problems with your walls or floors while removing or installing baseboards. For example, if you have evidence of moisture damage, you may need new drywall. Replacing drywall costs $2.40 to $4 per square foot. Other wall repairs cost $360 to $1,240.

If your flooring is buckled, torn, or otherwise damaged, you may want to have new flooring laid before the baseboards go on. Flooring installation costs $3 to $22 per square foot. Alternatively, you can save money by having the floor repaired instead of replaced. Floor repair costs $200 to $580. While having a new baseboard, you may want to pay the price of repairing trim elsewhere in the room or installing new trim to give the whole space a facelift.

DIY Baseboard Installation vs. Hiring a Professional

Installing baseboards isn’t difficult, but it’s time-consuming. If you’re considering taking the project on yourself, you’ll need the proper tools to measure, cut, and attach the baseboard. Trying to do a DIY replacement could result in having to repair drywall, adding more time and money to your project.

Additionally, if your floors are not level you’ll have a lot more work cut out for you. Save yourself time (and potentially even money) by hiring a baseboard installation specialist near you.

Still Have Questions About Baseboard Installation?

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between baseboard and molding?

Baseboard and molding are often used interchangeably. The only real difference is that the baseboard is at the bottom of the wall, laying flush with the floor. Crown molding (a type of molding) is at the top of the wall, laying flush with the ceiling.

Because it’s higher up, crown molding costs more than installing baseboards (anywhere from $4 to $23 per linear foot).

How does vinyl baseboard installation work?

Installing vinyl baseboard is similar to installing wood baseboard. Professionals measure and cut pieces before attaching them to the wall with a wall adhesive. They use a different blade to cut the PVC, often one with carbide tips, as, because it isn't porous like wood, it can quickly dull blades and generate enough heat to melt the edges of the PVC itself.

What does it cost to add baseboard heaters?

The average cost to install a baseboard heater is $780. Homeowners might pay anywhere from $400 to $1,190 to add this heat source. Baseboard heaters are zone heaters that raise the temperature in a single room. In larger rooms, you'd need to install multiple baseboard heaters to create warmth throughout the space.

Should baseboard molding touch the floor?

Baseboards should only touch the floor if you have no plans to change your flooring or if you've already had your new flooring laid. If you're installing baseboards before installing the new flooring, make sure you leave enough clearance between the baseboard and the floor to accommodate the height of the new flooring you're planning to add. In general, carpeting requires more clearance than laminate or wooden flooring. Remember to account for the height of any underlay, too.

Can I install baseboards if my walls are crooked?

Yes, you can install baseboards on crooked walls. Apply adhesive, situate the baseboard, and nail it in where there are studs, taking note of the gaps. Take a bracer, push it tightly against the baseboard where there's a gap, and nail it to the floor.

Repeat this for every gap caused by crooked walls. Leave it overnight, letting the adhesive dry and bond the baseboard to the crooked wall. Then simply remove the nails and bracers and fill in the gaps left by the nails and any remaining gaps between walls and baseboard with paintable silicone adhesive.

Learn how much it costs to Install Baseboard. (2024)

FAQs

Learn how much it costs to Install Baseboard.? ›

Baseboard Installation Cost Per Linear Foot

How much labor does it cost to install a baseboard? ›

Hiring a Pro. DIY baseboard replacement costs $0.80 to $1.20 per linear foot on average, which amounts to significant cost savings versus the $5.70 to $8.95 per linear foot it costs to hire a pro.

How much baseboard for $2000 sq ft house? ›

In a 2,000 square-foot home, you may need around 250 to 300 linear feet of baseboard. The combined perimeter baseboard length will be about 180 linear feet. Internal walls will increase that figure by another 100 linear feet to a total of 280 linear feet.

How do you calculate baseboard installation? ›

If you want to know how much baseboard you need for your home, you will need to calculate the linear footage of each room, minus closets, doors, etc., and add the perimeter of each room together. Then, add an additional 10% for overages to get your total.

How do you install baseboards for beginners? ›

How to Install Baseboards: A 7-Step Guide
  1. Tools & equipment: Angle ruler, tape measure, miter saw, nail gun, spackle, caulk, trim.
  2. Step 1: Measure room.
  3. Step 2: Cut trim.
  4. Step 3: Cut and add returns.
  5. Step 4: Nail pieces to wall.
  6. Step 5: Spackle nail holes.
  7. Step 6: Caulk gaps.
  8. Step 7: Paint.
Apr 27, 2021

How to charge to install trim? ›

Average trim installation cost

Interior trim costs $4 to $10 per linear foot on average with installation, depending on the material and type. Trim prices are $1 to $5 per linear foot for materials and $3 to $5 per linear foot for labor.

How much do trim carpenters charge to install baseboard and door casing? ›

For most homeowners, trim installation costs $0.50 to $25 per linear foot. In some cases, it could cost up to $45 per linear foot if you are installing custom wainscotting or ornate crown molding.

How long does it take to install baseboards? ›

How long does it take to install baseboards? Trim carpenters can install about 20 linear feet per hour, so the average 100- to 150-square-foot project will take about 5 to 7 ½ hours. If your home has multiple angles and corners, the project will take longer than a home with large, flat walls.

What thickness baseboard should I use? ›

A general rule of thumb for your baseboards is the 7 percent rule — they should equal 7 percent of the overall height of your room. So, if you have 8-foot ceilings, your baseboards will look best at around 7 inches high.

What size baseboard looks best? ›

A baseboard height that's approximately 7% of the wall height provides for a solid and definable base without being too big. The overall proportion of baseboard to wall height will be comfortable and pleasing. So in a room with a 9 foot high ceiling, a baseboard that's about 8 inches tall works.

How much should I charge to paint baseboards? ›

With pros charging between $1 and $4 per linear foot to paint baseboards, the type and size of the room factors into the total cost. While most contractors charge by room, you may be able to get a "volume" discount through a flat rate if you're repainting baseboards throughout an entire home.

How to estimate trim? ›

According to Inch Calculator, "Estimating the cost involves multiplying the price of the trim per foot by the length of trim needed. If trim is sold in 8′ lengths then multiply the cost of the board by the number of boards needed.

What type of baseboards are in style? ›

Modern Baseboard

Simple and flat, modern baseboards create a consistent, sleek look throughout your home. While more traditional styles opt for rounded edges or detailed designs, modern baseboards offer a flat surface that helps to elongate walls, making a home appear larger.

Should baseboards be nailed or glued? ›

Nailing Pros and Cons

Efficiently prevents baseboards from warping, flexing, and detaching. Prolongs the life of baseboards by keeping them secure and straight. It's easy to remove nails from baseboards, whereas glue can damage or cause the boards to split.

What type of baseboard is easiest to install? ›

Applied Baseboards

The most common type, these baseboards are the easiest to install, usually by gluing or nailing it to the wall.

Do you paint baseboards before installing? ›

If the baseboards have not yet been installed, you should always paint the baseboards before installation. Minor damage to the paint finish will occur during installation, but this is expected. With most of the painting already done, you'll only need to do a small amount of touch-up after installing the baseboards.

How much does it cost in labor to paint baseboards? ›

With pros charging between $1 and $4 per linear foot to paint baseboards, the type and size of the room factors into the total cost. While most contractors charge by room, you may be able to get a "volume" discount through a flat rate if you're repainting baseboards throughout an entire home.

What is the average cost of installing a baseboard heater? ›

Baseboard heating cost

Baseboard heating costs $300 to $1,100 per unit with installation, depending on if the system is electric or hydronic. Installing baseboard heat costs $5,400 to $7,800 for 18 to 26 units to heat a home. Electric baseboard heat costs $480 to $900 per month to run on average.

How much baseboard do I need for 1000 square feet? ›

Expert-Verified Answer

Roughly 480 linear feet of baseboard, assuming a rectangular 1000/2000 sqft house with 8-foot ceilings.

Is baseboard heating expensive to install? ›

Baseboard heaters generally cost about $500 per unit to install. So if you want to put them in 5 rooms, it will cost you $2,500. But most of that $500 will go towards the labor of the installer you hire. Units only cost about $100 a piece.

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