How much does shiplap cost?
How much does shiplap cost?
$3 – $11 shiplap cost per square foot installed
$240 – $1,700 cost to shiplap one interior wall (80 to 150 SF)
$1,200 – $7,200 cost to shiplap one room (400 to 650 SF)
$3,000 – $8,000 average shiplap exterior siding cost (1,000 SF)
Shiplap cost
Shiplap walls or ceilings cost $3 to $11 per square foot installed, depending on the wood type. Shiplap prices are $2 to $7 per square foot for materials, while labor to install shiplap costs $1 to $4 per square foot. Exterior shiplap siding costs $3 to $8 per square foot installed.
| Factor | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Shiplap boards & materials | $2 – $7 |
| Installation labor | $1 – $4 |
| Total installation cost | $3 – $11 |
Cost to install shiplap by project
Interior shiplap installation costs $3 to $11 per square foot, while exterior shiplap siding costs $3 to $8 per square foot. Interior shiplap costs more when using higher-quality woods and pre-painted woods. Exterior shiplap material costs are lower when ordered in bulk.
| Project | Square feet | Average cost installed |
|---|---|---|
| One accent wall | 80 – 150 | $240 – $1,700 |
| One ceiling | 150 – 250 | $450 – $2,800 |
| Pantry or small bathroom | 150 – 250 | $450 – $2,800 |
| Entire mudroom | 225 – 400 | $680 – $4,400 |
| Entire bedroom or porch | 400 – 650 | $1,200 – $7,200 |
| Entire living room or primary bedroom | 800 – 1,100 | $2,400 – $12,100 |
| Exterior siding | 700 – 2,000 | $2,100 – $16,000 |
Cost to shiplap a wall
A shiplap wall costs $240 to $1,700 with installation, depending on the wall size. Installing shiplap on a small accent wall costs less than a wall in a large living space.
Shiplap ceiling cost
A shiplap ceiling costs $450 to $2,800 total installed, depending on the ceiling size and complexity. Other types of ceiling installation cost $1,000 to $2,700 on average.
Cost to shiplap a room
The cost to shiplap a room is $1,200 to $12,100, depending on the size. Installing shiplap in a small bedroom costs $1,200 to $7,200, while a living room or primary bedroom costs $2,400 to $12,100 with installation.
Shiplap exterior siding cost
Shiplap exterior siding costs $3 to $8 per square foot or $2,400 to $14,400 total with installation. In comparison, other types of siding cost $3 to $11 per square foot or $4,300 to $15,700 on average installed.
| House size (SF) | Amount of siding (SF) | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | 800 | $2,400 – $6,400 |
| 1,500 | 1,200 | $3,600 – $9,600 |
| 2,000 | 1,400 | $4,200 – $11,200 |
| 2,500 | 1,700 | $5,100 – $13,600 |
| 3,000 | 1,800 | $5,400 – $14,400 |
Shiplap board prices per square foot
Shiplap board material prices are $2 to $11 per square foot, depending on the wood type and whether it is natural or engineered. Hardwoods such as cherry, oak, or poplar cost more than cedar, pine, or manufactured boards.
| Wood type | Price per square foot* |
|---|---|
| Hardwood boards | $2 – $11 |
| Cedar boards | $2 – $8 |
| Pine boards | $2 – $7 |
| Plywood boards | $2 – $3 |
| MDF boards | $2 – $10 |
*Not including installation.
Labor cost to install shiplap
The following factors affect the cost to install shiplap:
Labor cost – Shiplap installation labor costs are $1 to $4 per square foot on average.
A handyman charges $50 to $80 per hour or $320 to $600 per day.
A wall installer charges $1.00 to $2.70 per square foot or $40 to $100 per hour in labor fees.
Room size / design – Adding shiplap costs more in rooms with large walls, complex designs, and multiple corners.
Scaffolding / ladders – Equipment needed for exterior siding or vaulted ceilings increases the total cost.
Wood grade – Higher quality wood planks and hardwoods cost more than thin panels or reclaimed wood.
Materials – Installing shiplap requires tools and supplies, such as a nail gun, miter saw, stud finder, nails, spackle, and wood filler. Contractors typically include these material costs in the installation estimate.
Finish level – Unfinished shiplap planks cost less than pre-stained or painted wood. Wood stain costs $30 to $45 per gallon on average. Interior painting costs $1 to $3 per square foot. Professionals recommend staining or painting shiplap before installation when possible.
Remove drywall / ceiling – Old wall or ceiling removal or repair increases the project cost:
Drywall removal costs $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot, depending on the location.
Popcorn ceiling removal costs $1 to $2 per square foot on average.
Ceiling repair costs $50 to $100 per square foot on average.
Remove old siding – Exterior siding removal costs $0.25 to $1.50 per square foot or $1,000 to $3,000 total on average.
Insulation – Wall insulation costs $1.00 to $4.50 per square foot on average with installation, depending on the type. Insulation is required when there is no existing drywall.
Cost of shiplap vs drywall
Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot installed for walls, depending on the size and finish level. A drywall ceiling costs $2.00 to $4.00 per square foot installed. Drywall is made of paper and gypsum and is commonly used in home construction.
| Factor | Shiplap | Drywall |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per square foot | $3.00 – $11.00 | $1.50 – $3.50 |
| Lifespan | 100+ years | 30 to 75 years |
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Frequently asked questions
What is shiplap?
Shiplap is a type of wood panel used for interior and exterior siding. Panels are typically ¾ to 1 inch thick and 3 to 10 inches wide. Untreated wood is combustible, but a coating can be added to make shiplap fire-resistant.
Who can install shiplap?
A carpenter, handyman, or siding contractor can install interior and exterior shiplap. Homeowners with previous experience and the necessary tools can install shiplap as a DIY project.
Does shiplap increase a home’s value?
Shiplap increases a home’s value compared to plain drywall, though there is no consensus as to how much value it adds.
How much shiplap do I need?
Calculate how much shiplap you need by measuring the height and width of the wall and multiplying the two values to get the wall square footage. Subtract the square feet of any window, door, or area that will not be covered.
Wall height x wall width = wall square footage
Does shiplap go over drywall, paneling, brick, or tile?
Shiplap can be installed over any existing material, either with nails or professional-grade adhesives. Make sure all surfaces are even and flat before installation.
Is car siding the same as shiplap?
Car siding is another name for tongue and groove siding, which is different than shiplap. A tongue and groove ceiling costs $4 to $10 per square foot installed on average.
Getting quotes from shiplap contractors
Before hiring a handyman near you to install shiplap,be sure to:
Get at least three estimates to compare.
Read reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Choose licensed, bonded, insured companies with 5+ years of experience.
Ask for references from recent jobs.
Avoid selecting the lowest estimate as quality may suffer.
Get a detailed written estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before paying a deposit.
Never pay in full up front. Follow a payment plan instead.
Questions to ask
How long have you been in business?
Have you worked on similar shiplap projects?
Are you licensed and insured?
Can you provide references from recent projects?
Which wood variety do you recommend for my shiplap project?
How should I prepare the space for the project?
Do you charge extra to move furniture?
Does the estimate include prepping and cleanup?
Does the estimate include painting the new shiplap?
How long will the job take?