How Much Does It Cost to Install Baseboards?

By Laure Justice

November 07, 2025

Installing new baseboards can change how your rooms look while protecting your walls from damage and increasing your home's value. But you need to know the costs before you start this home improvement project.

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Understanding baseboard installation cost helps you budget effectively and make smart decisions about materials and labor. The average baseboard install price depends on materials, room size and whether you hire a pro or do it yourself.

Average Baseboard Installation Cost

Most people pay $6 to $9 per linear foot (CAD 8.30 to CAD 12) for baseboard installation, according to data from HomeGuide. This includes materials and labor.

The typical range for a room in most homes is around $400 to $1,500 (CAD 553 to CAD 2,075). This covers standard wood baseboard installation in living rooms and dining rooms.

What Are the Different Types of Baseboards and Materials — and How Much Do Each of Them Cost?

Material choice affects up-front costs and long-term durability. The right material can also reduce future maintenance needs and replacement costs. Here's how different baseboard materials compare in price and performance.

Wood Baseboards

Wood costs $1 to $10 per linear foot (CAD 1.38 to CAD 14) for materials. This wide price range reflects the variety of wood species available and their different quality levels.

Popular wood choices include:

Pine. Pine is an affordable softwood that takes paint well and works great for casual or farmhouse decor.
Oak. Oak is a durable hardwood with prominent grain patterns, perfect for traditional and rustic themes.
Maple. Maple is a smooth hardwood ideal for clean, modern looks and contemporary design.
Cherry. Cherry is a rich wood that adds warmth and elegance to formal and traditional decor.

Wood baseboards offer the most finishing flexibility, since you can stain them to highlight natural grain or paint them any color to match your design theme.

MDF Baseboards

MDF costs $1 to $3.50 per linear foot (CAD 1.38 to CAD 4.84) for materials. Medium-density fiberboard provides a budget-friendly option that works well in most home applications.

MDF baseboards offer several advantages for homeowners on a budget. They take paint exceptionally well and create smooth, consistent finishes without visible grain or knots. These baseboards work best in dry areas like living rooms, bedrooms and hallways where moisture won't cause swelling or damage.

PVC Baseboards

PVC costs $0.50 to $5 per linear foot (CAD 0.69 to CAD 6.92) for materials. Polyvinyl chloride baseboards provide the most affordable and moisture-resistant option available.

PVC baseboards excel in wet areas like bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements where wood materials might warp or rot. They resist water damage and insect problems and require minimal maintenance over time. While PVC offers fewer finishing options than wood, many styles come prefinished in popular colors.

What Is the Labor Cost to Install Baseboards?

Carpenters charge labor costs between $30 and $100 ( CAD 42 and CAD 138) per hour to install baseboards. Several factors affect baseboard installation cost:

Room shape. Rooms with many corners take more time.
Baseboard size. Tall baseboards need careful cutting.
Location. Urban areas cost more than rural towns.
Worker skill. Expert trim carpenters charge premium rates.

How Much Does It Cost to Remove Existing Baseboards?

Removing existing trim costs $50 to $150 (CAD 69 to CAD 208) extra in labor fees. Workers carefully remove old trim, pull out nails and prepare walls for new baseboards.

Removal costs depend on complexity. Simple trim removal takes less time than ornate baseboards with multiple layers of paint or complex profiles.

You can remove old baseboards yourself to save money. Be careful not to damage walls during removal.

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Other Costs to Consider

Several additional factors can affect your total cost to install base molding. These extras can add 20% to 50% to your base project budget. Understanding these helps you budget more accurately.

Baseboard Size and Style

Expect elaborate styles and profiles to cost more than simple boards. Thick baseboards also typically cost more than thin, standard molding due to increased material requirements.

Standard sizing options include:

3-inch baseboards. Most common standard size
5-inch baseboards. Mid-range option
7-inch or taller: Premium height option
Decorative profiles: Add complexity and visual interest

Taller, more ornate baseboards require additional materials and more precise installation work, which increases overall project costs.

Paint and Finishing

Most jobs include basic installation, but painting costs extra. Painting trim or baseboards costs $1 to $4 per linear foot (CAD 1.38 to CAD 5.53).

Special finishes like stain or custom paint colors may require additional fees beyond standard paint costs. These premium options typically involve extra preparation work and specialized materials that contractors price separately from basic painting services.

Filling Gaps and Touch-Ups

Professional contractors typically include basic gap filling and touch-ups in their standard labor costs. This includes caulking small gaps between baseboards and walls, filling nail holes and making minor surface preparations for painting.

However, significant wall damage like large holes, water stains or uneven surfaces may require additional repairs that contractors price separately from the baseboard installation work. These repairs ensure proper baseboard alignment and a professional finished appearance that enhances your room's overall look.

DIY Vs. Hiring a Pro

You can save on labor costs by doing the installation yourself, since materials typically make up about half the total baseboard installation cost. However, professionals ensure clean cuts and proper corner joints that create a polished finished appearance.

For DIY work, you'll need the following:

Miter saw for cutting precise angles at corners and joints
Nail gun or hammer for secure attachment to wall studs
Measuring tape for accurate room measurements and material calculations
Coping saw for inside corners that require custom-fitted joints
Sandpaper and wood filler for smooth, professional-looking finishes
Quality tools ensure better results and help avoid costly mistakes during installation.

Planning Your Baseboard Project

Before starting, measure each room carefully. Count all corners and note obstacles like heating vents or built-ins. Create a simple sketch of each room to help contractors provide more accurate estimates. These details affect material needs and labor costs.

Order extra materials to account for cutting waste and mistakes. Most suppliers accept returns of unused materials in good condition.

Money-Saving Tips for Baseboard Installation

Purchase baseboards during off-season sales when lumber yards offer contractor discounts. Schedule baseboard installation with other trim work like door casings or crown molding for better project rates. These bundled projects often reduce your overall baseboard installation cost per linear foot.

Install baseboards after flooring but before final paint touch-ups. Handle prep work like removing old baseboards, cleaning walls and moving furniture to reduce labor hours while keeping skilled installation work to professionals. Proper timing and preparation can significantly impact your total project budget.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

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