Siding service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Shiplap installation costs $300 to $5,600 for your project, with material type and square footage impacting your final total.
Exterior shiplap applications need underlayment, trim work, and caulking, while interior projects can go directly over your existing drywall.
You should budget for prep work between $4 and $17 per square foot if you need demolition or siding removal before installation.
Hiring a local siding professional keeps your boards level and aligned, and saves you hours of measuring and cleanup.
In 2026, the national average cost to install shiplap is $1,000. Most homeowners spend between $500 and $1,500, with the spread driven by material choice, square footage, and whether the installation is interior or exterior. Exterior applications require additional prep and materials, making them more involved than interior projects.
Shiplap is a popular choice for creating unique wall spaces inside or outside your home, with installation costs averaging $2 to $7 per square foot. Costs vary based on several factors, including material type, project size, location, and the amount of prep work required.
Shiplap is a type of wooden paneling consisting of rabbeted, overlapping boards that can be installed horizontally or vertically for both interior and exterior applications. Interior installations offer the most material flexibility, while exterior use requires materials that can withstand the elements, making MDF and pre-finished shiplap unsuitable for outdoor projects. Pine and hardwood shiplap used outdoors will need treating, painting, and ongoing maintenance, and exterior applications also require additional materials such as underlayment, trim work, and caulking that increase the total project cost. Costs vary by application type, as shown in the breakdown below.
| Interior Shiplap Average Cost (per Square Foot) in 2026 | Exterior Shiplap Average Cost (per Square Foot) in 2026 |
|---|---|
| $2–$7 | $3.60–$11 |
Project size is one of the most significant cost drivers for shiplap installation, though larger projects can actually cost less per square foot than smaller ones thanks to bulk purchasing discounts. Smaller projects, such as a fireplace surround or accent wall, often involve more intricate detail work that keeps per-square-foot costs higher. Costs vary by project size, as shown in the breakdown below.
| Project Size in Square Feet | Average Cost Range in 2026 |
|---|---|
| 100 | $300–$800 |
| 150 | $450–$1,200 |
| 200 | $500–$1,550 |
| 400 | $800–$2,800 |
| 800 | $1,600–$5,600 |
The material you choose affects both the look and the long-term performance of your shiplap installation. If your project involves a wet area covered by your bathroom remodeling ideas or exterior siding, cedar or PVC are the better choices for their resistance to water damage. Costs vary by material type, as shown in the breakdown below.
| Shiplap Material | Average Cost per Square Foot in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Pine | $2–$4 |
| Cedar | $3–$7 |
| Hardwood | $1.50–$6 |
| Plywood | $2–$3 |
| PVC | $3–$7 |
| MDF | $2–$6 |
| Pre-finished | $3–$6 |
Labor to install shiplap runs $35 to $100 per hour and is typically included in a professional's project estimate. Here's how labor costs compare by trade:
| Trade | Average Cost per Hour in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Plumber | $45–$200 |
| Interior designer | $50–$200 |
| Electrician | $40–$120 |
| HVAC technician | $100–$250 |
Prep costs for shiplap installation range from $4 to $17 per square foot when significant demolition or siding removal is required. Interior projects can often go directly over existing drywall, while exterior installations need underlayment and may require removing existing siding before work can begin.
Reclaimed wood shiplap is a popular choice for homeowners who want an old-world, character-rich look, but it comes at a notable premium. Expect to pay $5 to $7 more per square foot for reclaimed shiplap compared to new-material options.
The primary ongoing cost for shiplap is maintenance, which involves painting, staining, or sealing the material to keep it in good condition, with interior painting costs running $2 to $6 per square foot and exterior painting costs running $1.50 to $4 per square foot. Maintenance is especially important in wet locations such as bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor applications. Choosing cedar or PVC shiplap in these areas can reduce how often and how much you spend on upkeep over time.
If you have solid skills, installing shiplap as a DIY project is possible and can be rewarding. However, because the best-looking installations require a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, most homeowners choose to hire a nearby siding contractor or a local carpenter to perform the job. Hiring a pro, which can cost between $1,000 and $1,500, also offers more insight into design and how-to ideas.
Shiplap may look simple on Pinterest, but a pro carpenter turns those clean lines and tight seams into reality without the trial and error.
Pros can properly prep and assess the wall to avoid issues with leveling, fastening, or moisture.
Carpenters have the right tools to cut clean edges and align boards perfectly.
They know how to handle tricky areas, such as corners, outlets, windows, and uneven walls.
A pro can recommend the best materials, board widths, and installation patterns for your space.
Professional installation reduces the risk of buckling, gaps, or long-term maintenance problems.
A pro can deliver a polished, seamless look that's difficult to achieve DIY, while also saving you hours of measuring, sanding, cutting, and cleanup.
If you're interested in DIYing your shiplap wall, here's how a confident homeowner can tackle the job.
Install shiplap on a small, flat accent wall with minimal obstacles, which can be simpler than more complex projects.
Work with pre-primed, pre-cut boards that require little trimming.
Tackle spaces without tricky corners, uneven studs, or lots of electrical cutouts.
Handle simple horizontal layouts that don't require advanced pattern planning.
Paint or seal the boards once they're installed.
Shiplap installation is often one piece of a larger remodeling budget, and integrating it into your home's aesthetic typically means budgeting for trim work, finishing, and related tasks as well. Common add-on costs include trimwork cost at $0.50 to $25 per linear foot, remodeling cost at $15 to $60 per square foot, room renovation cost at $10 to $150 per square foot, soffit replacement cost at $6 to $30 per linear foot, and flooring installation cost at $2 to $25 per square foot.
Depending on the scope of your project, installing shiplap can be a cost-effective way to upgrade your home's appearance, or it can represent a significant investment. Identifying the right contractor for the job is an excellent way to ensure good value. However, there are also a few other ways to help control costs and reduce the total price of the project.
If you have solid woodworking skills and proper tools, you can save money by purchasing raw reclaimed wood or raw board lumber and turning it into shiplap boards for use in your project.
Choosing to install shiplap on a single wall in a room as an accent will cost less than installing the material throughout the room.
Choose new over reclaimed material and apply any one of several wood-aging techniques to mimic the look of using old wood for your project.
If you can achieve a close-to-desired look, opt for a less expensive raw material for your installation. For instance, shaping plywood into shiplap boards will save money compared to using premium hardwood boards.
Be prepared to share measurements of the space, including wall heights and widths, as well as any obstacles such as outlets or windows.
Discuss which type of shiplap material you prefer and the overall design style you want to achieve.
Identify any existing issues, such as uneven walls, moisture concerns, or structural defects, that could impact the installation.
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Kevin was thorough and efficient with the repairs he made to our exterior cedar siding.
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He was knowledgeable and nice, but was lacking on the customer service side with the follow up. He charges the same amount as a professional engineer.
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