How much does trim installation cost?
The average total cost of trim installation projects ranges from $350 to $570 nationwide, and trim installation costs per linear foot can range from $4.50 to $6 for installation and painting of simple baseboards, chair rails and crown molding.
Trim includes crown molding, baseboards, casing, wainscoting, chair rails, picture rails and decorative trim, all of which can be installed by a carpenter or handy person. It makes a huge difference in how finished your space looks, and how all your decor choices suddenly come together to make a final impression. You can provide the materials or request that the carpenter do so.
Even if you have a miter saw in your garage and have a knack for home improvement projects, this can be a frustrating task to DIY. We'd definitely recommend hiring a local professional to come install trim and ensure the final job highlights your decor as it should. Here are a few things to know, whether you chat with a carpenter or a general contractor to get the work handled.
What’s in this cost guide?
- What affects the cost of trim installation?
- Trim options
- Trim installation cost per linear foot
- Trim installation flat rates
Pros can install trim onto drywall, plaster, brick or wood. It’s often made of either solid wood, engineered wood, mdf or vinyl. Professionals can also make crown molding from plaster. Some clients need help with a straightforward installation job, and others need help with designing the look of the molding or trim. Trim can be left bare, painted or stained before it is installed.
What affects the cost of trim installation?
Several factors affect the cost of trim installation. While most home improvement projects are calculated by the square foot, installation costs for trim molding, crown molding, window trim, or door trim are usually calculated in linear feet. So even if you know a room is 200 sq.ft. we recommend having a closer look at where you need trim to get an idea of linear feet you need installed. Trim installation costs are affected by material costs, and potentially location costs as well. It would be a good idea to ask if the company you're chatting with will remove the old trim as well as disposing of it.
Some carpenters charge an additional travel fee if the job site is outside of his or her standard service range. This fee covers the pros time and transportation expenses for getting to and from the location. It's a good idea to contact local professionals to ask if they offer free estimates. You'll be able to compare costs, timing, and about extra fees based on location.
Trim options
Different trim materials cost different amounts and will affect the overall cost of a project. Consider design influences already in place on in the interior and exterior of the structure, as well as existing trim in the room or nearby. Crown molding made of plaster is the most expensive because it requires the most labor to install. Next are hardwood trims, such as mahogany, followed in cost by softer woods, engineered woods and various types of vinyl trim.
There are many areas of your home that could be improved with trim installation. While design options can range from simple baseboards in your basement to high end crown moldings in your fancy dining room, the impact made is usually worth the installation cost. It finishes a room in a way we don't often notice until it's complete. Here are some places where you might want to install trim:
- Baseboards
- Crown molding
- Chair rail
- Door trim
- Window trim
- Wainscoting
- Shiplap
Trim installation cost per linear foot
Most handy people and carpenters charge for trim and molding installation by the linear foot. Costs can be negotiated in several ways. The price per linear foot may be solely for labor; it may include the cost of labor and materials; or it may include the cost for labor, materials and finishing (painting or staining) the trim. The cost for each job varies depending on the house and the particular requests of the homeowner. In addition, different types of trim (casing, chair rail, etc.) usually have different costs per linear foot, depending on the complexity, location and amount of labor required to install it. High end materials will always add more to the total cost of the project.
Here are some pricing examples from K2carpentry in Port Richey, Florida:
- Chair rail installation: $4.50 per linear foot, including paint and materials
- 5¼-inch baseboard installation: $4.75 per linear foot, including paint and materials
- 5¼-inch primed finger-joint crown molding: $6 per linear foot, including paint and materials
- Wainscoting in foyers or dining rooms: $20 per linear foot, including paint and materials
- Shiplap, which is whitewashed or stained interior siding, for a feature wall: $30–$40 per linear foot for an average 9-foot ceiling.
Trim installation flat rates
Some carpenters charge flat rates for installing trim, particularly if this skill is one of many that the company offers. Yusnier Pardias in Homestead, Florida, finds it more practical to offer one set rate for the service as demonstrated below. These examples include a range of trim options, from crown molding to baseboards:
- Trim installation with paint: $3.50 per linear foot, including materials
- Trim installation without paint: $3.25 per linear foot, including materials
- Average cost to install trim in a 10x10-foot bedroom: $500 for one window and one door, including labor, materials and paint.
