Interior trim typically costs $1-$10 per linear foot for materials, or about $3-$18 per foot installed, depending on trim type, material, profile, and labor. A standard room may run $300-$1,200 for baseboards and door or window casing; ceiling height, removal, paint, and local labor rates can push the quote higher.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseboard material | $1/linear ft | $3/linear ft | $8/linear ft | MDF or pine through hardwood profiles |
| Installed baseboard | $3/linear ft | $7/linear ft | $14/linear ft | Standard profile, fitting and fastening |
| Crown molding installed | $6/linear ft | $12/linear ft | $25/linear ft | More complex cuts and ceiling access |
| Door or window casing installed | $4/linear ft | $9/linear ft | $18/linear ft | Varies with profile and opening details |
| Typical room project | $300 | $700 | $1,500 | Material and installation; scope varies |
What trim costs per foot by type
For common interior projects, basic MDF baseboard often costs $1-$4 per linear foot for material and $3-$9 installed. Pine or finger-jointed wood is commonly $2-$7 per foot for material and $4-$12 installed. Hardwood, tall baseboards, and decorative profiles can reach $8-$20 or more per foot installed.
Crown molding usually costs more because installers must make angled cuts and work overhead. Simple profiles may total $6-$15 per linear foot installed, while wide, layered, or custom molding can reach $15-$30 per foot. Door and window casing commonly falls around $4-$18 installed per linear foot, excluding unusually elaborate trim assemblies.
For a typical house, material and installation together often land between $3 and $18 per linear foot. Rates assume standard interior access and ordinary profiles; painting, wall repair, and old-trim removal may be separate.
How materials and labor shape the trim quote
A quote may list trim boards, installation labor, finishing, removal, and disposal separately. Confirm whether the contractor measures openings, includes corners and returns, and supplies caulk, fasteners, and touch-up paint. Linear footage is generally the length of the installed run, not floor area.
| Quote component | Typical range | What changes the charge | Common billing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | $1-$12 per linear ft | MDF, pine, hardwood, profile | Linear foot or board |
| Installation labor | $2-$10 per linear ft | Cuts, corners, height, access | Linear foot or hourly |
| Paint or stain | $1-$5 per linear ft | Coats, finish, site painting | Linear foot or project |
| Removal and disposal | $1-$4 per linear ft | Adhesive, damage, haul-away | Linear foot or minimum fee |
| Caulk and supplies | $0.25-$1.50 per linear ft | Gap size, fasteners, patching | Included or itemized |
Hourly labor may run about $50-$100 per worker, though many contractors price trim installation by the foot or set a project minimum.
Ask for material, labor, finish, and removal as separate quote lines. That makes it easier to compare estimates with different inclusions.
Profile height, material, and room layout change the total
Trim height and shape affect both the board price and installation time. A 3- to 5-inch baseboard is generally less expensive than an 8- to 12-inch profile, which uses more material and may require careful joints. Crown molding wider than 5 inches can also take longer to fit, particularly on uneven ceilings.
Room geometry matters: each inside or outside corner requires a cut, and numerous doorways interrupt long runs. A straightforward 12-by-14-foot room has about 52 linear feet around the perimeter before deducting openings, while a room with alcoves or several jogs can require extra cuts and waste. A 10% material allowance is common; intricate layouts may need 15% or more.
Expect a higher rate when the job has tall profiles, many corners, or uneven walls. For example, a 100-foot simple baseboard run is not equivalent in labor to 100 feet broken into short pieces and door returns.
What does trim installation labor add per foot?
For accessible, straight baseboard runs, installation labor often adds $2-$6 per linear foot. Crown molding and detailed casing can add $5-$12 per foot because accurate measuring, compound cuts, and overhead work take longer. A small job may also carry a $150-$400 minimum charge, even when the measured footage is limited.
A two-person crew may complete roughly 100-250 linear feet of basic baseboard in a workday, depending on room layout, prep, and finishing. Crown molding can take substantially longer. Ask whether the bid includes filling nail holes, caulking seams, and painting, since those tasks may be scheduled separately.
Labor is often the largest variable when the trim profile or room layout is complicated. A low per-foot quote may exclude preparation or finishing, so compare the stated scope rather than the headline rate alone.
Regional labor rates shift installed trim prices
Installed trim pricing can run about 10%-25% above national midrange in high-cost metro areas, including parts of the Northeast, West Coast, and major coastal cities. Smaller towns and rural markets may be 5%-20% below that midpoint, although travel distance or limited contractor availability can erase the difference.
For basic baseboard, that can mean roughly $4-$11 per foot in a lower-cost market versus $6-$15 in a high-cost metro. These are planning ranges, not fixed regional tariffs. Material availability, local wage levels, access, and minimum service charges affect individual quotes.
Compare at least three local estimates using the same trim type and finish scope. A contractor’s written measurement and included services matter more than a broad regional average.
Removal, painting, and wall repairs add separate charges
Removing old trim commonly adds $1-$4 per linear foot, with extra charges possible if boards are glued, layered, or difficult to remove without damaging drywall. Disposal may be included or billed as a $50-$200 haul-away fee. Wall patching can add $100-$500 or more when removal exposes damaged plaster or drywall.
Painting new trim may cost $1-$5 per linear foot, while staining hardwood can be higher because sanding and consistent color matching take additional work. Unpainted material can reduce the initial bill, but finishing it later may cost more if furniture and floors must be protected in an occupied home.
Confirm whether the quote includes removal, disposal, caulking, and final paint. These exclusions can turn a seemingly inexpensive per-foot estimate into a much larger project total.
MDF, pine, and hardwood offer different price trade-offs
MDF is often the least expensive choice for painted rooms and can provide a smooth finish, but it is vulnerable to moisture. Pine and finger-jointed wood cost more and suit painted or stained applications; hardwood is a higher-cost choice when the trim needs to match wood floors or cabinetry. In bathrooms or damp areas, ask about moisture-resistant materials and appropriate installation.
For a small repair, replacing only the damaged length may cost less than re-trimming an entire room, but matching an older profile can require custom milling. DIY installation can save labor, yet requires accurate measurement, a miter saw, fastening equipment, and care around uneven walls. Tool rental and wasted material can narrow the savings.
Choose material based on finish and room conditions, not board price alone. A cheaper profile that does not match existing trim may leave visible transitions or require additional work.
Keep the trim budget down with controlled scope
Measure each wall and opening before requesting quotes, and specify the profile, height, material, finish, and footage. Group several rooms into one project when practical; a larger scope may reduce repeated setup charges. Compare bids that include the same removal and painting tasks, rather than choosing solely by the lowest per-foot rate.
Keep standard profiles and longer continuous runs where the design allows, and avoid replacing sound trim simply to change its appearance. Buying materials yourself can help only when the contractor agrees to the product and quantity; shortages, damaged boards, or incorrect profiles can lead to delays and extra labor.
The clearest savings usually come from avoiding unnecessary replacement and keeping the finish scope explicit. A detailed written estimate helps prevent surprise charges for corners, patching, disposal, or paint.