Cost to Install Baseboard
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Also commonly referred to as base molding, baseboards can add an attractive final touch, covering the gap between your walls and the flooring.
Aside from aesthetic purposes, it can also help protect the wall’s finish from furniture moving, vacuums and other related bumps and knicks.
How much does it cost to install baseboard trim?
The cost of just the baseboards will depend on a few factors, including the size of the baseboard, the type of wood and the finish, such as a rounded, grooved, sloped, or plain, you desire. With sizes ranging from as little as one inch to as tall as six inches high, the taller and more detailed it is, the more you should be prepared to budget for the baseboards.
In the table below, we compiled the average prices of the baseboards only that we found at various retailers online:
| Type of Baseboards | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Composite Wood (2-4 inches high) | $0.75-$1 per linear foot |
| Composite Wood (4-6 inches high) | $1.50-$2.50 per linear foot |
| Mid-tiered Wood (such as pine) | $1-$1.75 per linear foot 3-4 inches high or $1.50-$2.50 per linear foot for 5-6 inches high |
| Premium Wood (such as cherry, mahogany or walnut) | $3-$8 per linear foot, greatly depending on height and style |
| Polyurethane Baseboards | $2-$6 per foot |
Now that we know what the costs of the baseboards could be for your home, you will also want to factor in the installation costs if you were to hire a professional to install the baseboards for you. When hiring a professional, these factors can include the scope of the job, your geographical region and the contractor you choose. Regardless of the type of baseboards you choose, it’s best to budget at least $1.50 to $2.50 a linear foot to install the baseboard, plus the costs of the baseboards, which you can take an estimate in our table above. A simple composite wood, plus installation, for example, could be about $2.50 to $3.50 a linear foot, whereas a premium baseboard could be as much as $10.50 a linear foot. When obtaining quotes, you will always find a carpenter will charge about 30 to 40 percent more than that of a handyman, but for good reason.
As some obstacles can arise in some baseboard install jobs, we highly recommend you consider free quotes from the online service, HomeAdvisor.com. Here, you can explain your job and contractors in your area will contact you with a no-obligation quote. This is a great way to gather as many quotes as possible, all while hiring someone who is not only qualified and licensed, but able to do it at a reasonable price, saving you time.
According to one member on this Jlconline.com forum thread, for example, he noted he would charge $2 a foot for two to five-inch baseboards that will be painted, but to remove and tear out, it would be another $0.50 to $1.50 per foot.
On this City-data.com forum thread, a member said he received a quote for $4.60 per linear foot for a basic tongue-and-groove pine in a smaller room. This was a quote for the labor only as he was already providing the materials.
The extra costs to think about
Removal: Many contractors will charge a removal fee in the case of existing baseboards. Often charging by the hour, be prepared to spend anywhere from $40 to $60+ an hour or about $1 per foot to remove the baseboards or even more if the existing baseboards were not installed correctly. The speed of the job will greatly depend on how the existing baseboards were installed, usually being either glued or nailed to the wall.
Unusual obstacles: During the install, any obstacles, crooked walls and/or uneven flooring can increase the labor time, often meaning a higher-than-average quote as the contractor will have to adjust the cuts in order for the boards to conform to the wall. This scenario often presents itself in older homes.
Paint: Most baseboards will need to be painted upon purchasing, and while your installer can do it, you may have to either consider doing it yourself or hiring a painter to do so once they are either installed or before the job begins.
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