Shiplap typically costs about $16-$49 per linear meter installed when boards have a 6-inch exposed face; materials alone are roughly $2-$12 per meter. The final price depends on board material and width, wall preparation, labor rates, and whether old finishes need removal.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material per linear meter | $2 | $6 | $12 | Primed MDF or pine through higher-grade wood; 6-inch face |
| Installed per linear meter | $16 | $30 | $49 | Boards, standard installation, and basic finishing |
| Installed for 10 sq m | $160 | $300 | $490 | About 6-inch exposed boards; excludes major repairs |
Assumptions: 6-inch exposed board face, about 10% material waste, standard interior wall, and typical U.S. labor rates.
What a 6-inch shiplap wall costs per meter
For a common 6-inch exposed board, one linear meter covers about 0.5 square meters of wall before waste. That makes the installed estimate approximately $32-$98 per square meter, or $16-$49 per linear meter. A typical straightforward project lands near $30 per linear meter, though regional labor and finish requirements can shift the quote.
Material-only pricing varies by product: MDF and lower-grade pine often cost less than clear pine, cedar, or hardwood. For a 10-square-meter accent wall, expect roughly $20-$120 for boards at the low-to-high material rates above, before waste, paint, fasteners, and trim. The exposed board face matters because it determines how much wall each meter of board covers.
How boards, labor, and trim shape the quote
Contractors may quote shiplap by wall area, linear footage, or as a complete project. Compare the included work before judging a price: some estimates cover only installation, while others include materials, surface preparation, trim, and paint.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Boards | $2-$12 per linear meter | Material, grade, board width, and finish |
| Installation labor | $10-$30 per linear meter | Wall layout, cuts, access, and local rates |
| Paint or stain | $3-$10 per linear meter | Pre-finished boards, coats, and finish type |
| Trim and fasteners | $2-$8 per linear meter | Corner details, nail filling, and edge treatment |
| Removal or wall prep | $5-$20 per linear meter | Existing paneling, damaged drywall, or leveling |
These components are broad planning ranges, not fixed add-ons; bundled contractor bids may combine them. For labor budgeting, Common finish-carpentry rates are about $50-$100 per hour, with minimum charges possible on small jobs. Ask whether the estimate includes finish work and wall preparation, not just board installation.
Why board width and material grade change the meter rate
A 4-inch exposed face covers less wall per linear meter than a 6-inch face, so more board length and labor are needed for the same area. An 8-inch face covers more, but may cost more per board and create a different look. Compare quotes using both wall area and exposed board width rather than relying on a single per-meter rate.
Material is another major variable. MDF is generally economical for dry interior rooms, while solid pine costs more and can show knots or movement. Cedar and hardwood selections can raise board prices substantially, especially when the job requires clear-grade stock or a custom profile. For a 10-square-meter wall, 6-inch boards require about 20 linear meters before waste; allow about 22 meters when adding 10% for cuts and defects.
Ceilings, stairwells, out-of-square corners, and many outlets require extra layout and cutting. A wall over 20 square meters may receive a lower labor rate per meter than a small 3-square-meter feature wall, but only if the site is straightforward. Width, waste, finish grade, and cutting complexity can matter as much as the quoted board price.
How regional labor rates shift installed shiplap prices
Labor often varies more than the boards. Dense metro areas and high-cost coastal markets may run 15%-30% above a national middle estimate; lower-cost rural markets can be about 10%-20% below it. These are planning comparisons rather than guaranteed regional prices, since contractor availability and project access also affect bids.
A straightforward 10-square-meter wall near the $30-per-meter midpoint would be about $300 installed under the assumptions in the table. In a higher-cost market, a similar scope could approach $345-$390, while a simpler rural job might be closer to $240-$270. Use local written quotes to confirm the labor portion before setting a budget.
Three shiplap quote examples by wall size
These examples use 6-inch exposed boards and include ordinary installation and basic finish work. They exclude major drywall repair, furniture moving, and unusual access charges.
| Wall and scope | Approx. board length | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|
| 3 sq m accent wall; MDF, simple cuts | About 7 m including waste | $160-$260 |
| 10 sq m bedroom wall; primed pine, painted | About 22 m including waste | $320-$550 |
| 20 sq m living-room wall; solid pine, detailed trim | About 44 m including waste | $700-$1,250 |
Small jobs can have a higher effective rate because setup and travel take similar time regardless of wall size. The larger example allows for better-grade wood and more trim, so it is not a simple per-meter multiplication of the smallest job. Confirm board quantity, finish scope, and minimum labor fees in each quote.
When removal, paint, or wall repairs add expense
Installing over sound drywall is usually the most economical approach. Removing existing paneling or tile can add about $5-$20 per linear meter, depending on disposal and wall condition. Repairs or flattening may add another $5-$15 per meter; extensive damage should be priced after inspection rather than assumed to fit a standard allowance.
Pre-primed boards can reduce on-site finishing time, though the product may cost more. Painting after installation can add roughly $3-$10 per meter for a basic job, with extra coats or dark colors potentially costing more. Ask for removal, disposal, repair, and paint as separate line items.
Ways to lower the shiplap bill without cutting corners
Keeping the project to one accessible wall limits cutting and setup time. Choosing a standard profile and common board length can reduce offcuts, while pre-primed MDF or pine may be a practical choice for dry rooms. Avoid paying for premium clear-grade wood where knots and grain are not central to the design.
Compare at least three local bids with the same wall measurements, board material, exposed width, finish, and trim scope. Homeowners can move furniture and remove wall décor ahead of installation, but electrical work and uncertain surface repairs should be left to qualified trades. A consistent written scope is the clearest way to compare shiplap prices per meter.