Baseboard installation cost per linear foot
| Type of molding | Installed price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Shoe or quarter-round molding | $4–$9 | The thin strip at the floor line |
| Standard baseboard (MDF, PVC or pine) | $5.50–$10.50 | The most common choice |
| Hardwood baseboard (oak, maple, cherry) | $7.50–$17.75 | Only one guide prices hardwood, as material plus labor |
These are installed prices per linear foot, covering material and labor, with the labor share adjusted for your state's carpentry wages. Measure the walls the molding runs along, then add a little for waste. Removal of old baseboards, painting and small supplies are separate lines in the calculator.
What changes the price
Most of the price is labor, because every corner needs a cut and a fitted joint, so rooms with many corners cost more per foot than long straight walls. Taller or more ornate profiles cost more, hardwoods cost more than MDF, and old walls that are not straight take longer. Many contractors set a minimum charge, so a small job can cost more per foot than a large one.
Extra costs to expect
| Item | Typical cost | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Remove old baseboards | $1.50 per linear ft | When replacing existing molding |
| Paint or stain | $1–$6 per linear ft | If you buy unfinished molding |
| Caulk, nails and putty | $25–$100 | Small supplies, if not in the quote |
Wall repairs after pulling old baseboards are not priced here, since the guides give a wide range. Ask whether the quote includes painting, because prefinished molding avoids that step.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Is the price per foot for material and labor together?
- Is the molding primed, prefinished or raw?
- Does the quote include removing the old baseboards and patching the wall?
- Is there a minimum charge for a small job?
- How are corners and scarf joints handled?
Methodology and sources
We price each type of molding as an installed price per linear foot, adjust the labor share for your state's carpentry wages, and price removal, painting and supplies separately. Read how we estimate costs.
- HomeAdvisor: install baseboards — prices by style, labor, removal, painting
- Angi: baseboard installation cost — prices by material, labor, removal
- HomeGuide: baseboard installation cost — installed price, shoe molding, labor rates
- BLS OEWS May 2025, State (SOC 47-2031, Carpenters) — state labor index, a carpentry proxy
What each source reports
Our estimate does not rely on any single page. This table lists each page we used and the figures it reports, so you can see where the ranges come from.
| Source | What it reports |
|---|---|
| HomeAdvisor |
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| HomeGuide |
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| Angi |
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Common questions about baseboard installation costs
How much does baseboard installation cost?
A typical job (150 ft of standard baseboard) comes to about $1,130 nationally, within a range of $830 to $1,580. Use the calculator above to adjust for your state, the options you choose and any extras.
Where do these prices come from?
They come from 3 published cost pages from 3 publishers, last checked Oct 8, 2026. We report what those pages say and do not invent figures; the table above shows each source.
How does my state change the estimate?
The labor part of the price is scaled by the average wage for the relevant trade in your state, using Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Materials and equipment are not adjusted.
Why might a contractor's quote differ from this estimate?
A quote reflects your specific scope, access, local demand and what the contractor includes. Ask for line items rather than a single total so you can compare bids on the same basis.
All 3 sources behind these prices
Every figure in the calculator comes from one or more of these pages, with the number each one supports in the link text.