How Much Does It Cost to Install Faux Wood Beams in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

The average cost to install faux wood beams ranges between $1,500 to $4,000, with most homeowners paying an average of $3,000. Factors like location, project size, and material quality can influence your total, which often breaks down to around $15 to $35 per linear foot. Thorough budgeting helps ensure you get the desired design while controlling expenses. Hiring a professional can streamline the process and deliver top-quality results.

Faux Wood Beam Cost Factors

Understanding that the driving factors in faux ceiling beam installation prices are materials and labor will help you better estimate how much this type of project will cost. Faux wood beam costs can vary depending on your location, the size of your project, the quality of the materials, and labor costs. For example, if you choose higher-grade materials with professional installation, your cost could jump to $5,000, while a lightweight composite material in a smaller room could go as low as $1,200.

Materials

In most cases, the price of materials will make up the biggest portion of your project cost. How much you’ll pay for faux wood ceiling beams will depend on your location, the size of your project, the quality of your materials, and where you source the materials.

Material quality ranges from contractor grade to superior grade. The quality of the wood detail and the manufacturing materials make up the cost differences per grade.

You can purchase faux wood beams from many places, including home improvement stores and building material suppliers. Depending on the style, quality, and quantity of the material you purchase, you’re more likely to pay less at a home improvement store, especially if you shop discounted or closeout styles.

Labor

Labor costs for installing faux wood beams will vary depending on which contractor is doing the work. You could pay nothing if you install the beams yourself, or you could pay several hundred to several thousand dollars if you hire a professional to do it for you.

Labor rates vary by provider. Specialty installers or carpenters often charge the least per foot, general contractors fall in the mid-range, and interior designers, on average, have the highest fees.

Faux Wood Beam Installation DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

For a DIY project, you can expect to pay between $1,300 and $3,300 in total costs, which include materials, prep, finishing materials, connectors, fasteners, and cleanup. If your project is large or you opt for the highest-quality materials, total costs could reach $5,000.

However, installing 100 linear feet of faux wood beams takes a professional an average of 10 hours. If you’re new to this work, plan on spending significantly more time than a seasoned installer. Installation involves sustained overhead work, which can be strenuous for anyone unfamiliar with this type of labor.

Because beams are decorative, uneven cuts or misaligned joints can detract from the overall design. Professional installation can increase upfront costs but delivers faster completion and a polished appearance. Request quotes from local qualified remodel pros if you prefer a full-service approach.

Faux Wood Beam Budgeting Tips

Consider these cost-saving strategies to make your faux wooden beam project more wallet-friendly.

• Opt for standard faux wood styles and sizes rather than custom or premium designs to save on materials.

• Get quotes from several local contractors to compare rates and find the best deal for your beam installation.

• Address small installation issues right away, like uneven surfaces or misalignments, before they become bigger problems.

• Plan routine inspections to catch any early signs of damage or wear before installation, which can prevent costly fixes later.

• Review project warranties before purchasing or installing beams to understand what's covered.

• Combine your beam project with other home upgrades to potentially get a package discount from a contractor.

• Handles basic prep and finishing tasks yourself, like painting, staining, or cleaning, to cut down on labor costs.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.