How Much Does It Cost to Install Baseboards in 2025?
Typical Range:
$750 - $2,300
Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.
Updated November 24, 2024
Reviewed by Andy Kilborn, Expert Home Building and Remodeling Contributor.Written by HomeAdvisor.
Highlights
Most homeowners spend between $750 to $2,300 on baseboard installation.
Installing new baseboards costs, on average, between $6 and $9 per linear foot.
The main baseboard cost factors are area, baseboard style, materials, and labor.
PVC baseboards are the most affordable but the least durable, while wood has a higher upfront cost but a longer lifespan.
Expect to pay an additional $1.50 per linear foot to remove old baseboards.
Most homeowners spend around $1,100 on new baseboard installation, though costs range from $750 to $2,300. These costs include both labor and materials. Expect to pay more if you need the 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.
Average Cost to Install Baseboards
| Average Cost | High Cost | Low Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $1,100 | $2,300 | $750 |
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Baseboard Installation Cost Factors
The size of the room, the style of the baseboard, and the materials you choose are the key factors for estimating the total cost of your baseboard installation project.
Area Size
Expect to pay between $6.00 and $9.00 per linear foot for baseboard installation. Contractors usually price installation by linear foot, and these costs include materials and labor. However, you’ll likely pay at least $15 more for debris removal. Most contractors don’t include this in their installation pricing.
Baseboard Style
There are several different baseboard styles, each with a different shape. Simple types, such as shoe molding, cost less than more complex designs like base molding.
| Baseboard Style | Price Range per LF (All-In) | Average Price per LF (All-In) |
|---|---|---|
| Shoe molding | $5.50–$8.50 | $7.00 |
| Quarter round molding | $5.50–$9.00 | $7.50 |
| Base molding | $5.50–$10.50 | $8.00 |
Material
Wood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and PVC are the three main types of baseboard materials 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 and maintain and moderately easy to repair. PVC is the least expensive and is often made to look like wood. However, it is impossible to repair, which is particularly problematic as PVC baseboards are prone to impact damage.
| Baseboard Material | Price Range per Foot | Average Price per Foot |
|---|---|---|
| PVC | $0.50–$5.00 | $1.50 |
| MDF | $1.00–$3.50 | $1.60 |
| Wood | $1.50–$10.00 | $5.50 |
Other Baseboard Installation Cost Factors
The price of baseboard installation depends on several factors, including the finish you want and whether you're replacing existing baseboards or installing new ones. Additionally, when replacing baseboards, you may find that the wall or floor needs repairs, which can increase the project price.
Labor
Hiring a carpenter to install baseboards typically costs $30 to $100 per hour, depending on where you live and the complexity of your baseboards. Labor prices vary significantly across the United States, with the highest labor costs in areas with high living costs, like New York City and Los Angeles.
Removal and Disposal
Removing baseboards typically costs around $1.50 per linear foot in labor costs. 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
Unfinished baseboards need to be stained or painted. If a 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, and 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.
Baseboard Repair vs. Replacement
If your baseboards are only slightly damaged, there are a few simple options for baseboard repair. Scuff marks and scrapes can be covered with a new coat of paint or a wood crayon, while a small hole can be filled with putty. These are both easy DIY options that cost only the price of the materials. However, these options are best suited to wood baseboards. Other materials, like PVC, are less durable and more difficult to repair.
More extensive damage usually requires replacing the affected baseboards. This can include termite and insect damage, water damage, or aging and worn baseboards. Expect to pay around $1.50 per linear foot to remove damaged baseboards, plus the additional $6 to $9 per linear foot to install new ones. Some contractors charge a minimum service fee, so it’s generally more cost-effective to call in a contractor when you want to replace several baseboard sections at once.
Does Installing New Baseboards Increase Home Value?
Installing new baseboards improves the look of your home and can help protect your walls and floors, adding to the overall appeal of the space. A survey of real-estate professionals found that 97% of those surveyed agreed that new trim could increase a home’s value. While the exact amount varies and may depend on the tastes of potential home buyers, new baseboards are generally considered a good home improvement investment.
Budgeting for Installing Baseboards
While baseboard installation is best handled by a pro, there are plenty of steps you can take to keep your baseboard project budget-friendly:
Prepare the space in advance: Clear the room of any furniture and appliances, and consider laying down drop sheets if you’re planning to paint the baseboards.
Remove old baseboards yourself: If you’re comfortable with basic DIY and confident in removing baseboards without damaging your walls, you can perform this step in advance. This saves money on professional labor costs.
Buy in bulk: If you plan to install or replace baseboards in several rooms, shop around to see if hardware and flooring stores offer bulk discounts. Your contractor may also find special pricing on materials.
Look at pre-painted baseboards: Pre-stained or pre-painted baseboards can save you time and labor costs. Alternatively, you may want to stain or paint baseboards yourself.
Balance affordability and durability: While MDF and PVC have a lower upfront cost, they’re also harder to repair and have a shorter lifespan. Wood baseboards are more durable and easier to repair. Materials like pine offer an affordable option for homeowners looking for wood baseboards.
Contact multiple contractors: Reach out to several baseboard installation professionals in your area to compare labor and materials quotes.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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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, lying flush with the floor, while the molding is at the top, lying flush with the ceiling. Because it’s higher up, crown molding costs more than installing baseboards at $4 to $23 per linear foot.
How does vinyl baseboard installation work?
Installing vinyl baseboards is similar to installing wood baseboards. 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 with carbide tips. Because PVC 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 $800. Homeowners might pay anywhere from $400 to $1,200 to add this heat source. Baseboard heaters are zone heaters that raise the temperature in a single room. In large 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 have already laid new flooring. If you're installing baseboards before installing the new flooring, leave enough clearance between the baseboard and the floor to accommodate the height of the new flooring you plan to add. In general, carpeting requires more clearance than laminate or wooden flooring. Remember to account for the height of any underlay as well.
Can I install baseboards if my walls are crooked?
Yes, you can install baseboards on crooked walls. Your installer will apply adhesive, situate the baseboard, and nail it into the studs, taking note of the gaps. Then they’ll take a bracer, push it tightly against the baseboard where there's a gap, and nail it to the floor. This is repeated for every gap caused by crooked walls.
Overnight, the adhesive dries and bonds the baseboard to the crooked wall. Then, the installer removes the nails and bracers and fills in the gaps left by the nails and any remaining gaps between the walls and baseboard with paintable silicone adhesive.
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