Basic
$7.82 – $20 per sq ft
Primed MDF beadboard sheet panels, flat cap rail, 3-1/4 in. flat base, caulked and painted one color
Rendering: BuildX
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Rendering: BuildX
How Much Does Beadboard Cost in Chicago, Illinois?
Install beadboard wainscoting panels on walls with cap rail and baseboard, painted.
Beadboard in Chicago, Illinois typically costs $9.20 to $23 per sq ft as of 2026. Prices reflect local labor and material rates. Use our calculator below for a detailed, ZIP-code-adjusted estimate.
Beadboard in Chicago, Illinois
$9.20 – $23
per sq ftPrices in Chicago are 19.0% higher than the national average for beadboard.
National average: $8 – $20 per sq ft
What you get at each price level
Standard
$9.20 – $23 per sq ft
Primed MDF beadboard sheet panels, profiled chair-rail cap, 5 in. base, caulked, two coats of paint
Rendering: BuildX
Find a pro to do thisPremium
$12 – $29 per sq ft
Primed MDF beadboard sheet panels, built-up cap rail with ledge, taller 7 in. base, caulked, two coats semi-gloss
Rendering: BuildX
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Cost Breakdown in Chicago
| Component | Category | Price Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | material | $3.85 – $9.63 | sq ft |
| Labor | labor | $3.64 – $9.10 | sq ft |
| Supplies & Other | supplies | $1.03 – $2.57 | sq ft |
| Equipment & Disposal | equipment | $0.68 – $1.71 | sq ft |
Prices adjusted for Chicago local market conditions.
Beadboard photo examples
White beadboard wainscoting on bathroom walls above a dark wood floor
Photo: Charles & Clint · CC BY 2.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisWhite beadboard panels on a kitchen peninsula side beside bar stools
Photo: The Finishing Company Richmond Va from Richmond,Virginia, United States · CC BY 2.0 · Source
Find a pro to do thisChair-rail wainscoting with painted beadboard in a kitchen dining room
Photo: Tatiana12 · CC BY 2.0 · Source
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Cost Factors in Chicago, Illinois
What Affects Pricing
- Materials ($3.60-$9.00 per square foot)
- Labor ($2.80-$7.00 per square foot)
- Supplies & Other ($0.96-$2.40 per square foot)
- Equipment & Disposal ($0.64-$1.60 per square foot)
Local Price Adjustments
Material costs7.0% above avg
Labor costs30.0% above avg
Labor costs in Chicago run proportionally higher than materials, which may favor material-heavy solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- Wainscoting Cost Guide - Builds and Buys, Builds and Buys, retrieved Nov 2026
- Beadboard Installation Cost - SDR Foundation, SDR Foundation, retrieved Nov 2026
- Construction wages by metro and rural area, used for the labor adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- Regional price parities for goods, used for the materials adjustment by ZIP code, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024
Get Free Estimates in Chicago
Connect with local beadboard contractors in Chicago for personalized quotes based on your specific project.