Skirting boards, called baseboards in much of the United States, typically cost $4-$12 per linear foot installed, with a common 200-foot project averaging about $1,600. The final price depends on board material and height, room layout, removal of old trim, painting, and local labor rates.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed skirting boards | $800 | $1,600 | $3,000 | About 200 linear ft; basic to premium trim |
| Material only | $1.25/linear ft | $4/linear ft | $12/linear ft | MDF, finger-jointed pine, or hardwood |
| Installation labor | $2/linear ft | $4/linear ft | $8/linear ft | More for complex cuts or difficult access |
| Removal and disposal | $1/linear ft | $2/linear ft | $4/linear ft | May be quoted separately |
What 200 Linear Feet of Skirting Boards Usually Costs
For a typical 200-linear-foot installation, a basic MDF profile with installation and caulking costs about $800-$1,400. A midrange paint-grade project commonly totals $1,200-$2,200, while taller hardwood boards, detailed profiles, or extensive finishing can reach $2,000-$3,000 or more.
A practical installed budget is $4-$12 per linear foot for standard residential work. This assumes ordinary wall access and no major wall repairs; painting, old-trim removal, and sales tax may be extra. A contractor may also set a minimum charge for a small room.
Assumptions: roughly 200 linear ft, standard U.S. labor rates, normal access, and paint-grade or midrange materials.
How Materials, Cutting, and Removal Shape the Quote
Quotes generally combine board purchase, fitting, finishing, and any removal. The table gives common installed or task-specific ranges; actual line items vary by contractor and region.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDF or primed pine boards | $1.25/linear ft | $3/linear ft | $6/linear ft | Basic to wider paint-grade profiles |
| Hardwood boards | $4/linear ft | $8/linear ft | $15/linear ft | Species and finish affect price |
| Installation labor | $2/linear ft | $4/linear ft | $8/linear ft | Measure, cut, fasten, and fit |
| Painting and caulking | $1/linear ft | $2.50/linear ft | $5/linear ft | Depends on coats and site preparation |
| Old trim removal | $1/linear ft | $2/linear ft | $4/linear ft | Includes basic disposal allowance |
Removal and finishing can add several hundred dollars to a whole-home project. Confirm whether the quote includes caulk, nail-hole filling, paint, disposal, and material delivery so competing bids cover the same work.
Board Height, Wall Length, and Corners Change Pricing
Board dimensions and room geometry are major price drivers. A simple 3- to 4-inch profile is generally less expensive than 6- to 8-inch trim, which uses more material and may require more careful fitting. Hardwood and custom-milled profiles cost more than standard MDF or primed pine.
Labor also rises with numerous inside and outside corners, uneven floors, curved walls, or built-ins. A rectangular room with 50 linear ft of accessible wall is quicker than the same length split among small rooms with many doorways. If wall length exceeds about 300 linear ft, ask whether the contractor offers a lower per-foot rate for the larger scope.
Measure wall runs rather than floor area because pricing is usually based on linear feet. Deduct door openings where appropriate, then add roughly 5%-10% for cut waste and matching material.
Where to Save on a Skirting Board Installation
Keep the existing boards if they are sound, firmly attached, and the right height; filling and repainting can cost less than removal and replacement. When replacement is necessary, choose a standard paint-grade profile available in local stock instead of custom milling or premium hardwood.
Control the scope before choosing the cheapest board by specifying height, profile, finish, and whether removal is included. Homeowners can move furniture and clear rooms in advance, but should leave precise measuring, cutting, and fastening to the installer if clean joints are important.
Compare at least three written quotes using the same measured footage and finish requirements. Bundling trim work across several rooms may reduce mobilization charges, while adding unrelated work can also make scheduling and pricing harder to compare.
Regional Baseboard Installation Rates Across the U.S.
Labor-heavy markets in major coastal cities can run about 15%-35% above a national midrange estimate. Smaller Midwest and Southern markets may be roughly 5%-20% below it, while remote areas can have higher delivery costs or contractor minimums. These are broad differences, not fixed regional price lists.
Ask local installers to price the same linear footage and finish before comparing regional averages. A $6-per-foot quote may exclude painting or removal, while an $8-per-foot bid may include both; the inclusions matter more than the headline rate.
How Long Installers Need for Cutting and Fitting
A two-person crew may install about 100-200 linear ft of straightforward trim in one workday, though removal, painting, and room layout can extend the job to two or three days. A common labor estimate is $50-$100 per crew hour, or roughly $2-$8 per linear ft depending on productivity and detail.
Labor estimate: 12-20 crew hours at $50-$100 per hour equals about $600-$2,000. This illustration assumes a typical whole-home scope; local rates and whether finishing is included can change the total.
Ask whether the crew rate applies per worker or per crew, and whether return visits for painting or touch-ups are billed separately. Furniture, occupied rooms, and work around cabinets can slow production.
MDF, Pine, and Hardwood Boards Compared
MDF is often the lowest-cost choice for dry, interior rooms and takes paint well. Primed finger-jointed pine costs more but is wood-based and can be a useful paint-grade alternative. Hardwood is commonly selected for stained finishes or to match wood flooring, but material and finishing costs can be substantially higher.
Choose material to match the finish and room conditions. MDF is not the best choice where repeated moisture exposure is likely; verify product recommendations for kitchens, bathrooms, and damp basements. Material-only prices vary by profile, thickness, and retailer, so compare the same dimensions rather than price per board alone.
Removal, Painting, and Difficult Walls Add Charges
Existing trim removal can add $1-$4 per linear ft, and disposal may cost more when the work creates bulky debris or requires a separate haul-away. Painting can add about $1-$5 per linear ft, with higher rates for multiple coats, unprimed boards, or extensive patching.
Wall repair is often the hidden expense in replacement work. Crumbling plaster, damaged drywall, flooring gaps, and old adhesive may require separate labor or materials. Request a written allowance or unit rate for repairs instead of assuming every condition is included in the base installation price.