Step 1: Get ready

Tom Silva taking measurements for baseboard installation
Photos by: Craig Raine
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Measure and cut the baseboards for each wall. Boards that meet outside corners should be a few inches longer than the wall to allow for miter cuts. Number the back of each board and write that same number on the wall where the board will go.

Find and mark the studs in the wall; they'll serve as the firm base for nailing the baseboard.

Tip: Studs are usually placed 16 inches on-center, so after locating the first one you may be able to locate others using a tape measure. On older homes, verify locations with a nail.

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    Tools List

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    • miter saw
      Compound miter saw,
      for straight and angled crosscuts
    • coping saw
      Coping saw,
      for cutting copes in the ends of molding
    • four-foot level
      4-foot level,
      for finding low spots on floor and marking height of baseboard
    • circular saw
      6-inch circular saw,
      for ripping back-bevels in trim
    • speed square
      Speed Square,
      for guiding crosscuts made with a circular saw
    • 30-foot tape measure
      25-foot tape measure
    • pencil compass
      Compass (for scribing
    • block plane
      Block plane,
      for tuning the fit of a scribed piece
    • biscuit joiner
      Biscuit joiner,
      for cutting slots in miter joints
    • chalk line
      Chalk line,
      for snapping the lines that establish baseboard height
    • hammer
      Hammer or pneumatic nail gun
    • nailset
      Nail set

    Shopping List

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    1. BASEBOARD MOLDING

    2. CAP MOLDING

    3. SHOE MOLDING

    4. 6D AND 8D FINISH NAILS

    5. NO. 10 COMPRESSED WOOD BISCUITS
    (for holding together baseboard miters)

    6. CARPENTER'S GLUR
    (for adhering joints)