Trim & Moulding Installation · Cost Guide

Trim & Moulding Cost in Metro Detroit (2026)

Trim installation in Metro Detroit generally runs $6–$14 per linear foot installed, with simple baseboard at the low end and crown, layered profiles, and wainscoting at the top. Material grade, profile complexity, and how out-of-square your walls are all move the number. Here is how it breaks down.

What drives the price

Profile and complexity lead. A single-piece paint-grade baseboard installs quickly; crown moulding sits at an angle across two planes and demands precise compound miters and coping, so it costs more per foot. Built-up or layered profiles, wainscoting, and coffered work multiply the labor further. Material grade matters — stain-grade hardwood costs more than paint-grade MDF and demands more careful, fill-free joinery. And the condition of your home is a real factor: scribing trim to walls and floors that have gone out of square over the years takes time a perfectly square new build would not.

Typical ranges by profile

  • Baseboard (paint-grade): $6–$9 / linear ft installed
  • Door and window casing: often $70–$150 per opening
  • Crown moulding: $9–$14 / linear ft installed
  • Wainscoting / panel moulding: priced per project; labor-intensive

Stain-grade hardwood and built-up profiles push toward and beyond the top of these ranges.

How to keep the quote honest

Make sure the quote states the material grade (paint vs stain), the profile, and whether filling, caulking, and a paint-ready or stained finish are included or separate. A bare per-foot number with no profile or finish detail hides a lot. When we match you with a carpenter, the estimate names the moulding and finish level, so you can compare bids on the actual work — and know whether painting is part of the price or a separate stage.


More on Trim & Moulding

Quick answers

Why does crown cost more than baseboard?
Crown sits at an angle spanning the wall and ceiling, so every cut is a compound miter and inside corners must be coped to stay tight. It is slower, more skill-intensive, and less forgiving than baseboard, which runs flat along the floor. The extra labor per foot reflects that difficulty.
Is painting the trim included in the price?
Not always — confirm it. Some carpenters install bare or primed trim and leave painting to you or a painter; others include filling, caulking, and a finish coat. Because finishing is real labor, always clarify whether the quote is install-only or install-and-finish.

Ready to start your project?

Get matched with a vetted, licensed Metro Detroit pro today. Free quotes, no obligation.