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Baseboard installation cost: what pros charge in 2026

By Nicholas Lipari, founder of PlainJob · Updated · 4 min read

Short answer: baseboard installation costs about $6 to $9 per linear foot installed, or roughly $400 to $1,000 for 100 feet (HomeGuide). Carpenters charge about $30 to $100 an hour. Painting unfinished boards adds $1 to $4 a foot.

National figures from the sources listed at the bottom. Local prices vary; use them as a starting point.

What it costs

ItemTypical cost
Installed, per linear foot$6–$9
50 linear feet$200–$500
100 linear feet$400–$1,000
200 linear feet$800–$2,000
MDF, per foot (material)$1.00–$3.50
Wood, per foot (material)$1.00–$10.00
PVC, per foot (material)$0.50–$5.00
Painting unfinished boards+$1–$4 per foot
Removing old baseboard+$50–$100 per hour

Handyman or licensed pro?

Baseboard and trim are core handyman work and need no trade license. In states with a dollar limit, a whole-house trim job can cross it, so check your state. Rules vary by state; see handyman license requirements by state.

How to quote it

  1. Measure every wall and add 10% for cuts and waste.
  2. Quote removal, installation, caulk and paint as separate lines.
  3. Price a per-foot rate and a minimum charge for small rooms.

More prices in the handyman price list.

Sources

Questions

How much does baseboard installation cost per foot?

About $6 to $9 per linear foot installed, labor and materials together, according to HomeGuide.

How much does it cost to install baseboards in a room?

A typical room has 40 to 60 feet of baseboard, so roughly $250 to $550 at $6 to $9 a foot, plus paint if the boards are unfinished.

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