Introduction
Trim and fencing are quoted by the foot, so the estimate you just computed is only half the picture — the other half is what each foot costs. A 52-linear-foot baseboard run can cost $100 in MDF or $400 in hardwood, and a 120-foot fence can run $1,500 or $6,000 depending on material and labor. Knowing typical per-linear-foot ranges lets you sanity-check quotes, compare materials, and decide how much of the job is worth doing yourself.
The Linear Feet Calculator handles the core calculation: enter your total run length and a waste allowance, and it returns the required linear footage in feet and meters, plus how many stock-length pieces to buy. This guide attaches typical dollar-per-foot ranges to those numbers so you can turn footage into a budget.
How Per-Linear-Foot Pricing Works
Suppliers and contractors quote long materials two ways: material-only (the board or molding itself, per foot or per piece) and installed (material plus labor, per foot of run). A material quote of $1.50/lin ft for baseboard becomes roughly $3–$4/lin ft installed once cutting, nailing, caulking, and painting labor is included. Always confirm which of the two a quote represents before comparing numbers.
Prices below are typical US ranges as of recent market conditions — lumber, composite, and contractor labor vary significantly by region, metro area, and material grade. Rural quotes often run 15–30% lower than major-metro ones; premium profiles and hardwoods push toward the top of every range. Treat these as planning bands, then verify with two or three local suppliers or contractors. A deeper look at which materials sit where is in the material guide.
Interior Trim: Material Prices Per Linear Foot
| Trim type | Typical material price (per lin ft) | Typical installed price (per lin ft) |
|---|---|---|
| MDF baseboard / casing | $0.50–$1.50 | $2–$4 |
| Finger-joint pine baseboard / casing | $1–$2.50 | $2.50–$5 |
| Poplar or oak baseboard | $2–$6 | $4–$8 |
| MDF crown molding | $1.50–$4 | $4–$8 |
| Wood crown molding (pine/poplar) | $3–$8 | $6–$12 |
| Chair rail / picture molding | $0.75–$3 | $2.50–$5 |
| Wainscot cap and trim package | $2–$6 | $5–$10 |
The installed figures include basic painting or staining. Two-tone or built-up crown (stacked profiles) lands at the top of the range because of the extra milling and install time. If your estimate comes from the complete guide‘s worked example — 58 lin ft of baseboard — MDF material runs roughly $29–$87, while a pro install would typically quote $116–$232 for that same run.
Decking Boards: Material Prices Per Linear Foot
| Decking board | Typical material price (per lin ft) | Typical installed price (per lin ft of run) |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine 5/4×6 | $1–$2.50 | $2.50–$5 |
| Cedar 5/4×6 | $2–$5 | $4–$8 |
| Composite (standard) | $3–$7 | $6–$12 |
| Composite (premium/PVC-wrapped) | $5–$10 | $8–$15 |
Deck board footage and deck area are related but different: a 12-ft-wide deck section needs boards whose combined width (board + gap, usually 6 in) covers the run — one linear foot of deck surface equals roughly two linear feet of 5.5-in board. Hidden fastener systems add $0.50–$1.50/lin ft of board. Fascia and rim boards are priced by the same per-foot logic as trim. The estimating guide works a full deck-perimeter example.
Fencing: Installed Prices Per Linear Foot
Fencing is the category where per-foot pricing is most standard — contractors bid almost entirely by the linear foot of run, with gates as fixed add-ons:
| Fence type | Typical installed price (per lin ft) | Typical gate add-on |
|---|---|---|
| Chain-link, 4–5 ft | $8–$20 | $150–$400 |
| Pressure-treated wood picket, 6 ft | $15–$30 | $200–$500 |
| Cedar privacy, 6 ft | $25–$45 | $250–$600 |
| Vinyl privacy, 6 ft | $30–$60 | $300–$700 |
| Composite privacy, 6 ft | $35–$65 | $400–$800 |
| Ornamental aluminum/steel | $30–$55 | $300–$700 |
Rocky soil, sloped ground, fence removal, and permit fees push quotes up; a straight run on flat, soft ground with clear access lands near the bottom. A 120-lin-ft cedar privacy fence at $35/lin ft is a $4,200 baseline — plus gates. Material-only prices for fence pickets and rails follow the lumber table logic: divide the bundle price by total board footage.
Molding and Millwork Installed Costs
Custom and built-up millwork breaks the simple per-foot table because labor dominates. Plan on these bands for finished, painted work: simple one-piece crown $4–$8/lin ft installed; two- or three-piece built-up crown $8–$15/lin ft; full wainscot systems with panels $12–$25/lin ft; coffered ceiling beams $20–$40/lin ft. Stained hardwood work adds 30–60% over painted equivalents because the finish tolerates no caulk or filler shortcuts. The DIY vs pro guide breaks down where that labor money actually goes.
Worked Budget: The 12×14 ft Room in Baseboard
Return to the canonical example — a 12×14 ft room, 52 lin ft perimeter, 10% waste → 58 lin ft of baseboard to buy. Here are three budget tiers:
- DIY, MDF baseboard: 58 lin ft × $1.00/lin ft = $58 material, plus caulk, nails, and paint (~$25). Roughly $83 all-in.
- DIY, finger-joint pine: 58 × $2.00 = $116 material, plus ~$30 finishing supplies. Roughly $146 all-in.
- Pro install, painted pine: 58 × $4.50/lin ft = $261 typical quote, finished and painted.
The footage is identical in all three — 58 lin ft (17.68 m) — which is why the calculator number matters: it isolates the quantity so material choice and labor rates become separate, comparable decisions. Cross-check in metric: 58 × 0.3048 = 17.68 m of molding.
What Moves a Quote Off the Table
- Region and metro tier. Coastal and major-metro labor rates can double rural ones; lumber prices swing with mill proximity.
- Profile complexity. A 3¼-in colonial casing cuts and installs faster than 7-in built-up crown — labor per foot follows profile size.
- Site conditions. Out-of-square rooms, long uninterrupted runs needing scarf joints, and stairs add labor per foot.
- Finish level. Paint-grade MDF installs cheaper than stain-grade hardwood at every step — material, fastening, and finishing.
- Access and demolition. Fence quotes climb with rock, slope, and old-fence removal; trim quotes climb with furniture moves and old-molding tear-out.
- Market timing. Lumber and composite prices are commodity-driven; a quote more than 60–90 days old may not hold.
Related Guides
- Complete Guide — the full linear-feet workflow, terminology, and the canonical worked example.
- Material Guide — which trim, decking, and fencing materials sit in which price band.
- Estimating Guide — step-by-step measurement for trim, decking, and fence runs.
- DIY vs Pro — where the labor money goes and when hiring pays.
- Pro Tips — trade techniques that cut waste and keep per-foot costs down.
- FAQ — quick answers to pricing and measuring questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does baseboard cost per linear foot?
Material runs roughly $0.50–$6/lin ft depending on species (MDF cheapest, hardwood dearest); installed, expect $2–$8/lin ft. A 58-lin-ft order (12×14 ft room, 10% waste) costs roughly $29–$348 in material, or $116–$464 installed.
How much does a fence cost per linear foot?
Typical installed ranges: chain-link $8–$20, wood picket $15–$30, cedar privacy $25–$45, vinyl $30–$60, composite $35–$65 per lin ft, plus $150–$800 per gate. A 120-ft cedar privacy fence is roughly $3,000–$5,400 before gates.
Why do installed prices vary so much by region?
Labor is the biggest variable — metro contractors charge far more per hour than rural ones — and material freight adds up for heavy or long stock. Get two or three local quotes; national tables are planning bands, not bids.
Is composite decking worth the per-foot premium?
Composite board material ($3–$10/lin ft) costs 2–4× pressure-treated pine, but it needs no staining and resists rot — lifetime cost often favors composite where labor for re-staining is expensive. Compare installed-per-foot, not just board price.
How do I convert a per-piece price to per linear foot?
Divide the piece price by the piece length. A $14.99 12-ft board is $1.25/lin ft; a $9.99 8-ft board is also $1.25/lin ft — same material value, different piece counts.
Should I budget extra beyond the per-foot material cost?
Yes — fasteners, caulk, paint or stain, and delivery typically add 10–20% to a DIY material total. Contractor quotes usually bundle these; confirm what’s included.
Get Your Number
Per-foot pricing turns your footage into a budget: multiply the calculator’s order length by the material band for your chosen product, then decide how much of the labor column you want to own. A 58-lin-ft baseboard run is about $85 DIY in MDF or $261 pro-installed in pine — the footage is fixed, the choices are yours. Get your footage from the Linear Feet Calculator, then price it against two or three local suppliers before committing.
Disclaimer: Calculator results are planning estimates based on the measurements you enter. Actual material needs vary with cut waste, pattern, and site conditions. Verify quantities with your supplier and consult a licensed professional or your local building authority for structural or code-related decisions.
