How Much Does Baseboard Installation Cost?

Gary Evans
by Gary Evans

Baseboards are underappreciated elements of your home décor. We all know they’re used to create aesthetic harmony between your floors and walls, but that’s not all. They also serve the purpose of shielding applied plaster from the effects of wear and tear.

The bottom line is you need baseboards to make your home look as good as possible. If you haven’t installed baseboards just yet for whatever reason, now is the time to change that. Take this opportunity to learn more about how much installing baseboards will cost so you can prepare adequately.

The average cost of installing new baseboards in a standard-sized home is $1,100. Prices are going to change depending on the type of baseboards you want to be installed. They can be as cheap as $1.50 per linear foot if you’re getting polystyrene. On the opposite end of the spectrum, mahogany baseboards can cost as much as $10 per linear foot.

You do not want to finish decorating your home without installing baseboards at some point. The inside of your home will simply appear incomplete without those familiar elements providing some definition to your décor. Find out more about baseboards and how much they will cost by continuing with this article.

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Cost of Baseboards by Style

Baseboard TypeCost Per Linear Foot
Flat Base Molding$1.30
Quarter Round Molding$0.80
Shoe Molding$0.50

Your baseboards won’t be the central elements of your home décor. They are meant to serve more as accent pieces that elevate the appearance of a specific room. Given the role they play in your home décor, nailing the details will be crucial.

Start by choosing the style for your baseboards. Homeowners can opt to choose a baseboard style that matches the door trim. They can also go in a different direction and create contrast using the baseboards.

The choice of baseboard style is up to you. Get to know your options better by checking them out below.

Flat Base Molding

Flat base molding is your first option if you want new baseboards. It’s a basic option, but it can still be quite expensive. Expect to pay $1.30 for each linear foot of flat base molding you want to get installed in your home.

This type of molding is expensive because it uses a lot of material. You can even choose to install thick flat base molding if you want your baseboards to stand out.

The flat baseboards are also prized for their versatility. They are capable of fitting into just about any type of design scheme. Feel free to utilize that versatility while you’re decorating your home.

Quarter-Round Molding

Quarter-round molding is significantly cheaper than flat base molding. You’ll have to pay $0.80 for each linear foot of quarter-round molding that you need for your home.

The term “quarter-round” is an apt descriptor of what this molding looks like. It resembles a quarter of a circle that is lengthened along the baseboard and set against your wall. The form of quarter-round molding adds a nice bit of texture to the flat walls you have.

Use quarter-round molding as a decorative element and it should work just fine. You can even paint these baseboards if you want them to pop more as they sit on your walls.

Shoe Molding

Shoe molding is the ideal option if you don’t want to think too much about your baseboards. It also helps that shoe molding is very affordable. Shoe molding is available at the cost of $0.50 per linear foot.

Homeowners often get shoe and quarter-round molding confused with one another. That’s understandable since they do look a lot alike.

Still, the shape of shoe molding is not that important. It can be just a thin strip of rounded material and it can still be considered as shoe molding. You can also change up the height of shoe molding if doing so makes sense for your desired home décor.

Cost of Baseboards by Material

Material UsedCost Per Linear Foot
Cherry$9
Jointed Pine Molding$4
Mahogany$10
Maple$3.50
MDF$1.60
Oak$4.50
Pine$1.90
Polystyrene$1.50
Poplar$2.10
Vinyl$2

Pay attention to the available material options for your home’s baseboards. The material you select will make a huge difference.

First off, the material you choose matters because it affects how the baseboards will look. If you have maple floors and you want some continuity, then you know which material to select.

The material choice is also important because it impacts durability. Some baseboard materials are more durable than others. Take that into consideration before you make your pick.

Cherry

Cherry wood is one of the most expensive options available at $9 per linear foot. So, what are you getting for that price?

The appearance of cherry wood is stunning. It gives off this warmth that you simply don’t get from other types of wood.

Cherry wood also comes in a variety of colors. You can pick out darker variants of cherry wood to create a warmer home interior. Another option is to choose a lighter shade of cherry wood to brighten up your home.

Durability is not that much of a concern with cherry wood. It’s capable of resisting some scratches and bumps. It will be a while before the signs of wear and tear appear over this type of baseboard.

Jointed Pine Molding

At the price of $4 per linear foot, jointed pine molding is one of the more expensive material choices for baseboards. That high price tag is worth it because jointed pine molding is very easy to work with.

You can get pieces of jointed pine molding that are already primed. That will cut down on the amount of work that needs to be done during installation.

The lightweight nature of jointed pine molding also makes it easier to hold in place. You can install those jointed pine boards solo if need be.

Jointed pine molding is also pretty durable. It is less prone to warping compared to many other types of wooden baseboards.

Mahogany

If you can afford to splurge on your baseboards, then mahogany is an option that deserves your attention. You’re looking at a price tag of $10 for each linear foot of mahogany baseboard.

People still buy mahogany baseboards at that price because they adore their appearance. They love its reddish-brown hue because of how distinguished it looks. The color of mahogany also darkens over time and many folks consider that to be a positive quality.

Beyond its appearance, mahogany is also prized for how stable it is. The shape of mahogany does not change. Portions of your wall will not be exposed because the mahogany baseboards have shrunk.

You should also consider using mahogany because it features good water resistance. That quality should come in handy given where baseboards are installed.

Maple

Maple is a popular choice for baseboards. Aside from being widely available, maple wood is also reasonably priced. You can get a linear foot of maple wood baseboards for $3.50.

Using maple wood is a good idea if you want your baseboards to provide a lighter accent. Maple wood is typically lighter in color. It will darken somewhat as it ages, but it is still noticeably lighter compared to other types of wood.

If you want those light accents to be a permanent thing inside your home, maple should be your pick. Maple wood is also remarkably durable so those baseboards will stand as long-term fixtures in your home.

MDF

MDF or medium-density fiberboard is among the top options for DIYers. You can understand why given its budget-friendly price point and how easy it is to work with. MDF baseboards are available for $1.60 per linear foot.

Go with MDF baseboards if you don’t care about showcasing the appearance of wood. In exchange for that, you’re getting a material that can be installed quickly. It should be easy to install even for those without a lot of experience.

You can still decorate your home well if you are using MDF baseboards. Use paint to alter the appearance of the MDF baseboards and integrate them more into your overall design scheme.

Oak

Next up, we have the baseboards from oak. They cost an average of $4.50 per linear foot.

Oak shares a lot of qualities with maple wood. Both are highly durable and easy to find. The ubiquitous nature of oak wood is part of the reason why it’s such an affordable material.

However, oak and maple do vary when it comes to color. Whereas maple is known for being on the lighter side, oak tends to have a reddish color. It looks more like cherry wood in some ways.

Pine

Pine’s another option to keep in mind if you don’t want to spend too much on your baseboards. A linear foot of pine baseboard costs $1.90.

Those pine baseboards are not going to shrink or swell no matter how long they’ve been covering your walls. Pine is also a lightweight material that you should have no trouble installing. The yellowish color and distinctive grain structure of pine can also contribute to the production of some beautiful baseboards.

So, why is pine so cheap if it has all those good qualities? The main issue is its durability. Pine can get scratched up and dented relatively easily. Homeowners typically shy away from baseboards that can be damaged quickly. That’s why pine is not a very popular choice for that application.

Polystyrene

Polystyrene baseboards are the cheapest ones you’ll find. They are sold at $1.50 per linear foot.

For those who may be unaware, polystyrene baseboards are planks of foam that have been modified a certain way. They are meant to look like wooden baseboards.

Some polystyrene boards are painted white. Others are finished with a wooden veneer. The issue with polystyrene baseboards is they just don’t look like their wooden counterparts. That much is evident after you take a closer at them.

From a durability standpoint, though, it’s hard to argue against using polystyrene. They will last for a long time inside your home.

Poplar

Poplar is one of the most underrated material choices if you need new baseboards. At $2.10 per linear foot, poplar baseboards are among the most affordable options available. Do note however that they offer more than just great value.

You may not be wowed by a specific quality of poplar, but it’s solid across the board. It’s a medium-density type of wood that can resist dents and it also absorbs paints and stains very well.

Buyers also have numerous color options to choose from if they’re using poplar. You should be able to find poplar baseboards that work well with your home décor.

Vinyl

The last of the material options for baseboards we’ll be highlighting in this article is vinyl. Vinyl baseboards cost $2 per linear foot.

Vinyl baseboards run into the same problems that polystyrene baseboards. Because they aren’t made of wood, they can look unnatural inside your home.

The brittleness of vinyl is also not doing it any favors. You have to be very careful if you’re trying to install vinyl baseboards.

On the plus side, vinyl features good weather resistance. The moisture coming in through your door is not going to have a major impact on the condition of your vinyl baseboards.

Cost to Install Baseboards Per Linear Foot

Estimate TypeCost Per Linear Foot
Low-End Estimate$7
Mid-Range Estimate$11
High-End Estimate$17.50

Installing new baseboards is a must if you want to finish your home décor. Before signing up for it, you should know that this kind of project can be costly. On average, you’ll have to pay $11 per linear foot for your new baseboards.

The high cost of baseboard installation can be attributed to several factors. As we’ve already examined at length throughout this article, different baseboards are available at different prices.

You can find baseboards that are available for less than $2 per square foot. Combine that with a budget-friendly rate for your installers and you can get a good deal. The cost of installation may amount to $7 per linear foot.

Then again, you can go all out with your baseboards. Splurge on mahogany and get flat base molding so they become eye-catching elements of your home. You may also have to spend more if you’re hiring the best-known installers in your area.

Don’t be surprised if the project will cost $17.50 after accounting for all the elements involved. You don’t have to spend that much if you just want new baseboards, but it is an option.

Painted or Paint-Ready Baseboards

Installing new baseboards is simple enough, but it’s still a lot of work. You may have to dedicate an entire weekend to the task to ensure all the baseboards are installed properly.

To speed things up, you can always use certain baseboards. More specifically, using painted baseboards will cut down on the amount of work you have to do.

The paint job on those painted baseboards is usually on point. You can check them out before buying anyway so you know exactly what you’re getting. The problem with those painted baseboards is they can be pricey.

If you want a more affordable alternative, you can go for paint-ready baseboards. Those baseboards are already primed so you just have to choose which paint to coat them with.

Labor Cost to Install Baseboards

Estimate TypeCost Per Linear Foot
Low-End Estimate$5
Mid-Range Estimate$6
High-End Estimate$7.50

There is still one factor in the cost of baseboard installation that we haven’t discussed at length just yet. That factor in question is the cost of labor. For this type of project, installers will typically charge $6 per linear foot.

The cost of labor can change based on the baseboards you want to get installed. Since some baseboards are harder to work with than others, professionals will charge more if you need those installed.

Workers will also charge more if you need additional labor. They can remove your old baseboards with no problem, but they will charge extra for that.

Your location will also factor into the cost of labor. Homeowners who reside in a city with a high cost of living should expect to pay more for baseboard installation.

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Related Questions

Can I Install Baseboards Myself?

Yes, taking on baseboard installation as a DIY project is a realistic proposition. Compared to other home improvement projects, baseboard installation is a simple task. As long as you have a good guide to follow, you can pull it off.Just know that baseboard installation can take time even for the pros. Make sure to clear out your schedule for the entire weekend if you want to finish installing the baseboards.


How Long Does It Take to Install Baseboards?

Baseboard installation is a time-consuming project. Even the professionals need to work for six to seven hours to install all the baseboards needed by a standard-sized house.If you’re taking on this project solo, you will need more time. The project length could extend to 10 hours.


Do You Need to Glue Baseboards?

Using glue to install baseboards is not necessary. Many even prefer using nails because they are less likely to warp the appearance of the baseboards. Glue and nails can be used together during installation, but going with only the nails will be fine.

Gary Evans
Gary Evans

Gary Evans is passionate about home improvement. He loves finding out how to make improvements in the easiest, most practical, and most affordable ways. Upgrading his home kitchen is one of his ongoing hobbies. Gary is also a long-time content creator and enjoys spending his free time tending to his hydroponic vegetable garden.

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