Carpentry and millwork costs vary enormously by project type — from a few hundred dollars to install door casings to tens of thousands for a custom millwork wall. Here’s a practical overview of what to expect in many regions in 2026.
“The cost question in millwork is always answered by the same three things: how much material, how complex the work, and how custom. Factory-made baseboard installed by a finish carpenter is a commodity. A custom coffered ceiling with built-in lighting designed for a specific room is not. The same trade, very different prices.”
— Dominic Ferreira, Red Seal carpenter and custom millwork specialist with 22 years of experience in residential finish carpentry and built-in installations in the local area
Table of Contents
Finish Carpentry Costs (your region, 2026, Labor Only)
Baseboard and Door Casings
| Scope | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Baseboard installation (per linear foot, supply and install) | $6 – $14 |
| Door casing set (two sides + head, supply and install) | $150 – $350 |
| Window casing (stool and apron + two side casings) | $200 – $450 |
| Average room (baseboards + 2 door sets) | $800 – $2,500 |
Crown Molding
| Scope | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Basic crown molding (per linear foot, supply and install) | $12 – $22 |
| Complex or large profile crown (per linear foot) | $18 – $35 |
| Average room (crown molding, 4 walls) | $1,200 – $3,500 |
Wainscoting and Panel Work
| Scope | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Board-and-batten (per linear foot of wall) | $25 – $50 |
| Raised panel wainscoting | $40 – $80 per linear foot |
| Picture frame molding (per linear foot) | $15 – $30 |
Custom Built-Ins and Millwork Costs
Built-In Bookshelves and Entertainment Units
| Scope | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Simple built-in shelving (floor-to-ceiling, one wall) | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| Entertainment wall with TV niche (8–12 ft wide) | $6,000 – $18,000 |
| Home library wall with ladder rail | $15,000 – $40,000+ |
| Window seat with storage | $2,000 – $6,000 |
Mudroom and Closet Systems
| Scope | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Basic mudroom built-in (bench, hooks, overhead cabinet) | $2,500 – $6,000 |
| Full mudroom locker system | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Custom closet system | $3,000 – $12,000 |
Staircase Work
| Scope | Typical range |
|---|---|
| New baluster replacement (full staircase) | $2,000 – $6,000 |
| New tread and riser installation | $100 – $250 per step |
| Custom newel post replacement | $500 – $2,000 per post |
What Drives Carpentry and Millwork Costs Up
Level of customization. Stock profiles and pre-made components cost a fraction of custom-milled profiles and one-off pieces.
Material selection. Solid walnut or white oak is significantly more expensive than poplar or finger-jointed pine.
Profile complexity. Simple flat or ogee profiles are less expensive than multi-element compound profiles.
Integration with electrical or other trades. Built-ins with integrated lighting, charging stations, or speaker systems require electrical coordination.
Shop vs. site-built. Shop-built pieces have higher fabrication costs but faster site installation and higher precision. Site-built has lower fabrication overhead but longer on-site time.
Finishing. Factory or shop finish is often the highest-quality but adds to fabrication cost. Site finishing adds labor cost.
Getting Comparable Quotes
Ensure quotes specify the same material (plywood vs. MDF vs. solid wood), the same finish specification (shop-primed vs. site-painted vs. shop-finished), and the same scope (supply and install vs. install only). These variables significantly affect both cost and quality.
Related Questions
- Questions to Ask a Carpenter or Millwork Contractor Before You Hire One
- Questions to Ask a Carpenter About Custom Built-Ins and Millwork
- Red Flags When Hiring a Carpenter or Millwork Contractor
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