What this covers
Baseboard covers the joint between wall and floor and takes the knocks from vacuums and furniture. The carpenter chooses a profile and height to match the house, cuts each piece, copes inside corners and miters outside corners, scribes the bottom edge to uneven floors or adds shoe molding to cover the gap, nails into studs, and fills and caulks for paint. It goes in after flooring and before the final paint.
When to call
- New flooring that needs the baseboard reset or replaced.
- Baseboard removed to dry a wall after a water loss.
- Dated or damaged trim you want to upgrade.
What to expect
- ChooseProfile and height are matched to the home or chosen new.
- Cut and fitPieces are cut, coped and mitered, and scribed where the floor is uneven.
- FastenBaseboard is nailed into studs and the bottom plate; shoe molding is added if needed.
- Fill and caulkNail holes, joints and the wall line are filled and caulked for paint.
Get a certified company
Look up a certified company by ZIP code. Every company's license, insurance and trades are verified before it is listed, and placement is never paid.
Questions people ask
What is shoe molding?
A small rounded strip at the bottom of the baseboard that covers the gap to the floor. It is used when the floor is uneven or when flooring is replaced without removing the baseboard.
Baseboard before or after flooring?
After, so the baseboard sits on the finished floor. When carpet is planned, baseboard is set slightly high and the carpet tucked under it.
How tall should baseboard be?
Taller for higher ceilings and more formal rooms. Matching the rest of the house is the usual rule.
Related: Finish carpentry · Crown molding installation · Hardwood floor installation · All carpentry and trim
This page describes what the service involves. The company you hire sets the scope, the schedule and the price, and your contract is with that company. We verify credentials and collect reviews from real jobs. We do not guarantee any company's workmanship. Safety steps are general guidance. When in doubt, leave the home and call 911.