Angie's LIST Guide to
Baseboards and molding

Due to their position on the floor, baseboards are subject to cracking and chipping by feet and furniture. Slightly scratched and chipped baseboards can be revived with some putty and paint for little cost. Irreplaceable antique or solid wood baseboards justify the effort of refinishing, while the lower cost of other materials makes replacement a better choice.

Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) baseboards, which is a manmade material that comes from heating and forming wood fibers into a new material, measuring from 2 to 4 inches in height cost from 65 to 90 cents per linear foot, while 3- to 4-inch baseboards made of pine or poplar run from 85 cents to $1.50 per foot. Baseboards made of high-end woods such as cherry and mahogany can cost from $2.80 to $7 per foot, depending on style and height. If using a contractor for the job, check to see if the cost includes labor and materials before you purchase. Contractors can often help you get better deals on materials, so it might be beneficial to let them purchase the materials for you.

Homeowners with damaged MDF and less expensive wood baseboards will find replacing the baseboards time-consuming but not difficult. In these cases, it often makes sense for the homeowner to tackle the job. Since it can be difficult to remove baseboards without breaking them, homeowners with more expensive baseboards should consider hiring a professional to perform the work. For many homeowners, the value of the baseboards justifies the cost of removal, repair and replacement.