How Much Does It Cost to Paint Baseboards? [2025 Data]

Baseboard Painting Cost Calculator

Calculations are based on the average square footage of a bedroom, which is 132 square feet, and 1 inch baseboards. We converted these dimensions to 46 linear feet. One gallon of paint covers approximately 400 square feet. Calculations rounded to the nearest whole number.

Factors That Affect the Cost to Paint Baseboards

When planning your baseboard painting project, consider these cost factors, which will impact your total price tag.

Baseboard Height

When providing estimates for baseboard painting, professional interior painters generally base costs on standard 3-inch to 5-inch baseboards. Baseboards ranging from 6 inches to 8 inches are considered specialty baseboards. Expect to pay 20% to 25% more for larger baseboards to account for the extra time and paint needed.

Baseboard Condition

If your baseboards are damaged or dented from wear and tear, your painter will need to use wood filler and buffering to get them into "paintable" condition. Most pros charge between $5.70 and $8.95 per linear foot for baseboard repair in addition to painting costs. 

Cost per Linear Foot

With pros charging between $1 and $4 per linear foot to paint baseboards, the type and size of the room factors into the total cost. While most contractors charge by room, you may be able to get a "volume" discount through a flat rate if you're repainting baseboards throughout an entire home. Keep in mind that some painters estimate costs by requesting the total square footage of the baseboards.

Labor

While most painters bundle labor into the cost per linear foot when creating an estimate, others charge per hour. You can expect professional painters to cost $20 to $50 per hour for the labor required to paint your baseboards.

Materials

The average cost of one gallon of paint is between $10 and $100, depending on the brand and paint quality. You’ll need premium paint primers and paints to withstand the types of scrapes and kicks that baseboards experience. While your contractor may bundle material costs into your total estimate, your costs could increase if you request high-quality paint. Semi-gloss paint is considered one of the best paint options for trim and baseboards, so confirm that your painter isn't using flat wall paint if you're trying to achieve a more vibrant aesthetic. Also, learn more about the best brushes to paint trim with.

Prep Work

Most baseboards will require prep work to ensure that paint goes on smoothly to create a polished finish. If your baseboards have multiple layers of paint on them from previous paint jobs, consider asking your painter for a flat rate that includes all necessary prep work, like cleaning baseboards.

Depending on the state of your baseboards, you may need to account for the following additional cost factors:

Cost to DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

If you plan to DIY paint your baseboards, you can expect to pay between $25 and $50 for the materials, depending on your tools, size of the job, and number of paint coats. While the lower price of a DIY baseboard upgrade may seem appealing, it's important to remember that homeowners are paying for the precision and artistry that a professional interior painter near you applies to the paint job. 

Unless your primary goal is to refresh your baseboards on a budget, it may be better to trust the skills of a professional painter with this job. They have the proper tools for precise painting and can do so much more quickly than the average bear. Hiring a professional will save you time and effort—and back pain.

Cost of Common Baseboard Painting Add-Ons

If you’re consulting with a professional painter about updating your baseboards, you might want to consider adding related paint jobs to heighten the polished look and combine services. Consider taking care of these related painting projects while painting your baseboards:

• Crown molding installation cost: $4 to $23 per linear foot

• Painting window frame cost: $1 to $5 per linear foot for paint

• Install trim: $200 to $6,500

How to Save on the Cost to Paint Baseboards

If you have the time and motivation, consider handling some of the prep work yourself to reduce labor costs. You can get your baseboards in workable condition by preparing a bucket of warm water, liquid dish soap, and vinegar and scrubbing your baseboards clean with a sponge.

You may also choose to sand your own baseboards using 80-grit to 120-grit sandpaper until you can clearly see that the shine is gone from the surface. That way, your baseboards will be ready for the professional painters to paint right away, reducing their time on task and labor costs.

Finally, you may also consider taking on other less detail-oriented painting jobs, like painting the trim or walls in the room to match your new baseboards. Just be sure to give the appropriate amount of wait time between paint coats.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.