Baseboard Installation Costs at a Glance

• Solid wood baseboards: 80 cents-$1.20 per linear foot
• MDF baseboards: 60 cents-$1 per linear foot
• Installation cost: $4.50-$6 per linear foot
• Total price range: $350-$570

Baseboards are an integral part of any room. You can put up new paneling or wainscoting — or install new laminate or hardwood floors — but your room will still look unfinished without that simple strip of trim at the base of the wall. Baseboards mainly serve an aesthetic purpose, giving your room a polished look.

This May Also Interest You: How to Install Baseboards: A 7-Step Guide

Knowing how much baseboards will cost upfront can help you better budget for your room makeover. Here’s what you need to know.

What to Expect

When it comes to installing baseboards, the total project cost depends on several factors. These include the price of the material itself as well as the cost of labor, job supplies and the disposal of any debris created by the installation. Whether a general contractor has to remove existing baseboards will also factor into the cost.

Solid Wood or MDF Baseboards?

Baseboards are usually crafted from solid wood like pine or oak. Some baseboards are engineered from medium-density fiberboard. This is a composite material made from remnants of wood. The difference between solid wood and MDF baseboards? Solid wood is more durable, while MDF is more affordable. You can paint both MDF and solid wood baseboards, but MDF baseboards cannot be stained.

Plan to pay between 80 cents and $1.20 per linear foot for basic solid wood baseboards. If you go for MDF baseboards, the cost ranges from 60 cents to $1 per linear foot. This price does not include the labor to install the trim. Regardless of whether you go for solid wood or MDF baseboards, plan on paying more per foot for unusually designed or intricately detailed options. Vinyl baseboards are also available and are becoming somewhat popular.

Painted or ‘Paint-Ready’ Baseboards?

As mentioned above, you can paint both MDF and solid wood baseboards. Some baseboards come “paint-ready,” meaning the trim is primed and ready to be given a coat or two of paint in the color of your choice. Another option is to purchase baseboards that are already painted. These are more expensive.

More Related Articles:

• How to Clean Your Baseboards
• How Much Does It Cost to Install Crown Molding?
• How to Install Crown Molding
• How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Tile Floor?
• How to Fix Scratches on Hardwood Floors

Installation Costs

Although installation costs vary by geographical location and other factors, trim carpenters generally charge $4.50 to $6 per linear foot to install all types of decorative trim, according to Thumbtack. If you expect your chosen contractor to paint or stain your baseboards along with the installation, that will increase their overall fees. Nationwide, installation of baseboards and door casings runs from $350 to $570 per project, based on the aforementioned price per linear foot.

Keep in mind that hiring a carpenter to install baseboards generally means paying more than you would if you hired a handyman. Many handymen work on a flat-rate basis, so it may potentially save you some cash to ask your local handyman to complete the job.

Are Baseboards Worth Replacing?

Whether the cost of installing baseboards is worth it to you depends on how much you value the finished look of your room. If you just installed new flooring, for example, you may find it more aesthetically pleasing to have new baseboards installed. This hides any gaps or uneven cuts. Whether baseboards are worth replacing completely depends on your specific desires for the outcome of your room. Some folks consider baseboards a necessity because they:

• Cover the unsightly joint area between the wall and floor.
• Keep water from making its way under the floor or behind drywall, where it can set up ideal conditions for a mold infestation.
• Close up a potential hiding space for insects and other pests.
• Conceal the gap left by contractors that allows laminate or hardwood flooring to shift, expand and settle.
• Protect the walls from scratches and damage from brooms and vacuums.

The bottom line is that baseboards are a valuable finishing touch that gives rooms a completed look prized by most homeowners. Whether you choose to install baseboards, however, should be based entirely on your preferences and your budget.

Since we’re all home now more than ever, being prepared for unexpected home repairs with a plan from HomeServe is important. Having a plan in place gives you peace of mind knowing that you can simply call our 24/7 repair hotline for covered breakdowns. See what plans are available in your neighborhood.