You’re finally doing it. After years of living with chipped, scuffed, or outdated trim, you're ready to freshen up your home. But as you start talking with contractors or getting estimates, a question keeps popping up: Should you paint your existing baseboards or replace them entirely?
Maybe the baseboards are yellowed from age, maybe the caulk lines are cracking, or maybe you’re wondering if the style still fits your home at all. Whatever the case, you’re likely asking yourself: “Is it worth spending the money to replace everything, or can a good paint job bring them back to life?”
This is a common decision for Omaha homeowners, especially during remodels, home sales, or after moving into an older house.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve been working inside Omaha homes since 1996. We’ve painted, restored, and touched up more trim than we can count, everything from historic homes in Dundee to new builds in Elkhorn.
We understand how much baseboards and trim affect the look of a room, and we know firsthand how much difference the right approach can make. We’re here to help you weigh your options, not sell you on one. Whether painting or replacing is the better choice depends on your situation, and this article will walk you through it.
By the time you finish reading this, you’ll know the typical costs to paint vs replace baseboards in Omaha, when painting is a smart investment, and when replacement makes more sense. You'll also understand what goes into those prices, so you can better evaluate quotes from painters or carpenters.
Let’s start with what it costs to professionally paint your existing baseboards.
At Brush & Roll Painting in Omaha, NE, our baseboard pricing typically falls between $5.50 and $6.00 per linear foot. This includes prep work like caulking gaps, filling nail holes, sanding, and applying high-quality paint that’s meant to last.
Here’s a quick example:
If your living room has 100 feet of baseboard trim, the painting cost would land somewhere between $550 and $600.
Keep in mind, this is for professional painting. DIY could save money up front, but it often lacks the prep work and durability of a professional job, especially if you're working with older or heavily damaged trim.
Now, let’s look at the cost to remove and replace baseboards altogether. The total cost can vary widely depending on a few key factors:
In Omaha, most baseboard replacements run around $8.00 to $13.00 per linear foot. Once you add painting into the equation, the total replacement cost usually ends up around $13.00 to $16.00 per foot or more.
So, for that same 100-foot room, you’re now looking at $1,300 to $1,600. This cost doesn’t even include any work that comes with painting, if you need it.
Here’s what’s typically involved in that number:
The labor adds up quickly, especially when you’re replacing trim throughout multiple rooms.
Painting your existing baseboards is usually the better option if:
No rot, no water damage, and no big gouges. A little wear and tear, like scratches, scuffs, or yellowing, can usually be fixed with good prep and a fresh coat of paint.
A lot of Omaha homes built in the 90s and 2000s have basic, low-profile trim. If you like the way it looks, there’s no need to replace it just for the sake of it.
Painting is less invasive than removal and installation. It usually involves less dust, less noise, and a shorter timeline.
If you’re repainting walls, replacing flooring, or upgrading doors, painted baseboards can help the whole room feel fresh without the cost of new trim.
In some cases, replacement is the smarter long-term choice.
If you’ve got water damage, cracked boards, or pieces pulling away from the wall, paint might just be a band-aid. Replacement could save you money down the line.
New flooring (especially switching from carpet to hardwood or LVP) can change the visual gap between the floor and baseboard. Sometimes, taller trim helps fill that space and looks more finished.
Some homeowners want to upgrade from narrow, flat trim to taller baseboards with more character. If your current trim doesn’t match your vision, replacement makes sense.
While baseboards are the most common trim to repaint or replace, many homeowners also ask about crown molding and window trim.
Here’s what you can expect from Brush & Roll Painting in Omaha for painting:
Just like baseboards, painting is often more cost-effective unless there’s significant damage or you’re aiming for a new design altogether.
One thing we often tell Omaha homeowners is this: replacing trim is rarely just about the trim.
You also have to consider:
These “small” extras can quickly turn a replacement project into a bigger (and pricier) job than expected.
Here’s a quick way to decide:
Ask yourself these two questions:
If the answer to both is yes, painting is almost always the better choice.
If the answer to either is no, then replacement might be worth it, especially if you’re already doing other big updates around your home.
Whether you paint or replace, prep makes all the difference. Poor prep work leads to paint failure, caulking cracks, and visible imperfections that show up over time. At Brush & Roll Painting, we don’t cut corners—our team takes the time to sand, clean, caulk, and use the right paint for high-traffic areas.
The decision to paint or replace your baseboards comes down to the condition of your current trim, your design goals, and your budget.
Painting with a professional typically costs $5.50 to $6.00 per foot, while full replacement with paint can land closer to $13.00 to $16.00 per foot. For many Omaha homeowners, a careful paint job offers a great return, especially if the baseboards are in decent shape.
If you're looking for expert help weighing your options, Brush & Roll Painting has been serving Omaha homes since 1996. We're happy to guide you through the process, whether that means painting your current trim or preparing your home for a full replacement.
Click the button below to get a quote for your next interior painting project.
If you are not ready to get a quote, but still want an idea of the cost, check out our interior painting pricing calculator. It’s a great first step in making the right call for your space.