A 6×6 post typically costs $25-$130 for the lumber alone, while a professionally installed post often totals $150-$500 or more depending on length, material, digging, concrete, and access. Pressure-treated pine is usually the least expensive option; cedar and structural-grade posts cost more, and replacement work can add removal and disposal fees.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6×6 pressure-treated post | $25 | $45 | $85 | Common 8- to 12-foot lengths |
| 6×6 cedar post | $65 | $95 | $160 | Grade and length affect price |
| Post installation | $150 | $300 | $500+ | One post, typical access and footing |
| Installed post with removal | $225 | $400 | $700+ | Includes taking out an old post |
What a 6×6 post costs for lumber and installation
For a standard pressure-treated 6×6 post, buyers commonly pay $25-$85 per piece before tax and delivery. An 8-foot post often falls around $25-$50, while a 12-foot post can cost $45-$85. Cedar, redwood, or appearance-grade options generally run $65-$160 per post. Prices vary by lumber market, treatment rating, grade, and store inventory.
Installed pricing depends on what the post supports and how it is anchored. A new post set in a straightforward hole with concrete generally costs $150-$350 total, including a typical amount of labor and materials. Posts supporting a deck, porch, or roof may require temporary bracing, hardware, inspection, or structural connections, bringing the job to $300-$700 or more per post.
For a basic ground-set post, budget about $300 installed; the lumber itself is often a small share of the total. The estimate assumes one post, ordinary soil, clear access, standard pressure-treated material, and no unusual engineering or finish work.
Assumptions: Typical U.S. retail lumber and contractor pricing; one post; standard materials; normal access; taxes may be extra.
How lumber, labor, concrete, and removal shape the quote
A contractor’s estimate may combine several expenses rather than charge only for the post. Ask whether the quoted amount covers the footing, hardware, old-post removal, hauling, and final cleanup. The following ranges are common for one uncomplicated installation; bundled work can reduce the per-post charge.
| Cost component | Low | Average | High | Typical basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated post | $25 | $45 | $85 | Per 8- to 12-foot post |
| Labor | $100 | $200 | $350 | Per post; access and bracing matter |
| Concrete and gravel | $15 | $35 | $70 | Per footing |
| Hardware and post base | $10 | $35 | $100 | Per connection; structural hardware costs more |
| Removal and disposal | $25 | $75 | $175 | Per old post, including haul-away |
Labor commonly runs $50-$100 per hour, but many contractors set a minimum service charge of $150-$300 for a small job. Digging can require a powered auger, and a rocky site may add $50-$200 or more per hole. Concrete volume depends on the footing diameter and depth; local frost requirements may call for a deeper hole than a basic fence post needs.
Compare the labor allowance and included work, not just the quoted price of the post. A low quote may exclude concrete, delivery, disposal, or post-to-beam connectors that appear as separate charges later.
Which post material and length changes the price most
Pressure-treated pine is the usual budget choice for posts exposed to soil or weather. For above-ground applications, a common treated post may cost $25-$65; posts rated for ground contact or longer exposure can cost more. Verify the treatment label and intended use rather than assuming every treated 6×6 is suitable for burial.
Cedar and redwood are often selected for appearance or natural durability, with typical retail prices around $65-$160 for common lengths. Clearer grades and longer pieces cost more. These woods are not automatic substitutes for a specified structural or ground-contact product, so the plans and local building requirements should guide the choice.
Length affects both lumber price and the amount of material below grade. A 6-foot post may cost $20-$45, an 8-foot post $25-$50, and a 12-foot post $45-$85 in pressure-treated stock. A 16-foot structural post can reach $90-$200 or more, particularly if it is engineered, selected for a high load, or difficult to source. Actual dimensions are typically smaller than the nominal 6-by-6 size.
Grade and structural rating matter when a post supports a roof, beam, or elevated deck. Appearance-grade lumber may be sold at a premium but is not necessarily a stronger structural choice. For a load-bearing post, use the size, grade, species, and connection details specified by a qualified designer or building plans.
Material and length can move the lumber bill by more than $100 per post, but the required structural rating should come first. A short, decorative post and a tall roof-support column are not equivalent purchases even if both are called 6×6 posts.
Why digging depth, soil, and load raise installation prices
Hole depth is a major labor and material driver. Fence posts may use holes around 24-36 inches deep depending on fence height, soil, and local practice; deck and roof supports can require deeper footings and specific dimensions. In cold climates, the footing may need to extend below the local frost line, which can be several feet deep. Deeper holes require more digging, concrete, and sometimes inspection.
For a light fence or garden structure, a simple set may take about 1-2 labor hours. Replacing a post that carries a deck beam or porch roof can take 3-6 hours or longer because the structure must be supported safely while the post is removed. A contractor may need additional workers, temporary supports, or specialized tools.
Soil conditions also change the quote. Loose, easy-to-dig soil may keep excavation near the low end, while roots, buried rubble, dense clay, or rock can add $50-$300 per post. Underground utility lines require locating before digging, and restricted access may prevent use of an auger. If the post is near a foundation or retaining wall, excavation and connection details may require extra care.
A 36-inch hole in open soil is a different job from a deep footing in rock or beside a structure. Share the post’s purpose, height above ground, load, and location when requesting estimates; those details let contractors price the right footing rather than guess.
Ways to lower a 6×6 post installation quote
Reducing the price starts with confirming the actual scope. If only one section of a fence is failing, replacing an entire line of posts may be unnecessary; if several posts are deteriorated, replacing them in one visit can reduce repeated trip and setup charges. For load-bearing structures, however, a repair should not be limited to the visible damage if the footing or connections have also failed.
Compare like-for-like quotes that state the post species, length, treatment rating, hole depth, concrete amount, hardware, cleanup, and warranty. For multiple posts, request a per-post price and a separate total. A contractor may charge less per unit when installing four or more posts together because delivery, equipment setup, and travel are shared.
Choose standard pressure-treated stock when it meets the project’s exposure and structural requirements. Avoid paying for cedar or a premium finish where the post will be hidden, but do not substitute a lower-rated post for a specified structural member. Ordering common lengths and arranging delivery with other lumber can also reduce special-order and freight charges.
Homeowners can sometimes clear brush, move stored items, or provide a clear path to the work area, reducing setup time. Digging the hole independently is less advisable when utility locations, footing depth, or structural support are uncertain. A poorly sized hole can lead to rework or compromise the post’s stability.
Bundling several posts and defining the footing and disposal scope are often safer savings than choosing undersized lumber. Ask whether the quote includes tax, delivery, old concrete removal, and restoration of disturbed soil before comparing the bottom-line totals.
How 6×6 post prices differ across U.S. regions
Retail lumber and installation rates vary by region, distance from a lumber supplier, and contractor demand. As a broad estimate, material prices in lower-cost rural markets may run 5%-15% below a national middle range, while high-cost coastal metro markets may be 10%-30% higher. These are directional differences, not guaranteed discounts; local stock and species availability can outweigh regional averages.
Installation labor often shows a larger spread. A simple post job in a lower-cost market may be near $150-$250, while the same scope in a high-wage metro area can reach $250-$450. Remote locations can also cost more if a crew must travel a long distance or bring equipment for a single post. Multiple-post work helps dilute those fixed charges.
Climate can influence the footing more than the lumber price. Areas with deep frost lines may require deeper concrete footings, while wet or coastal conditions can call for corrosion-resistant hardware or more careful material selection. Local code, wind exposure, and the structure’s purpose affect requirements, so regional comparisons should include the same depth and connection specifications.
Use local estimates for labor and footing rules; online lumber prices alone do not predict an installed total. Request at least two quotes from contractors serving the same area and confirm that both use comparable materials and excavation dimensions.
Three sample quotes for common 6×6 post jobs
These examples illustrate how scope changes the total. They are not fixed national rates; regional wages, tax, access, and building requirements can shift each estimate.
| Job example | Materials and unit rate | Labor and scope | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground-set fence post | One 8-foot treated post at $35; concrete and gravel $25 | 1.5 hours at $70 per hour; open soil | $165-$225 |
| Deck support replacement | One 10-foot treated post at $60; hardware and concrete $90 | 4 hours at $85 per hour; temporary bracing and removal | $450-$650 |
| Cedar porch column | One 8-foot cedar post at $100; base and finish supplies $60 | 3 hours at $90 per hour; above-ground installation | $400-$600 |
The fence example assumes no old post to remove and a standard footing. The deck example includes a more involved structural change, but excludes major beam repair or engineering. The porch example assumes the column is decorative or that the connection design is already specified; custom milling or painting can add to the bill.
Ask contractors to identify allowances and exclusions in each line item. For example, an estimate may list a $50 concrete allowance but charge extra if the specified footing requires more material or excavation.
When removal, delivery, or permits add separate charges
Removing an existing post typically adds $25-$175 per post when it can be pulled or cut out without major excavation. If the old post is encased in a large concrete footing, breaking and hauling the footing may add $75-$300 or more. Disposal charges can depend on local rules and whether treated lumber must be handled separately.
Delivery for a few posts may be included in a larger lumber order, or it may cost $50-$150 for a small local delivery. A special-order length, large structural member, or distant supplier can add $100-$300 in freight. Ask whether the post will arrive cut to length; custom cutting or notching may be billed separately.
Permits are not typically required for a simple fence-post swap, but replacing a structural deck, porch, or roof support can trigger local permit or inspection rules. Permit fees vary widely, often from about $50-$500 for smaller residential work, and larger structural projects may cost more. A contractor may also charge for plan preparation or inspection coordination.
Confirm permit responsibility before work begins, especially when a post supports an occupied deck or roof. A quote that excludes fees can still be reasonable, provided the homeowner knows which permits, inspections, and code-related upgrades remain outside the total.
Repairing or replacing a 6×6 post at the right scope
A post with surface weathering may need only cleaning, sealing, or localized repair, commonly around $50-$250 depending on access and finish work. A professional repair involving a post base or reinforcement can cost $150-$500. These approaches may not be suitable if rot extends into the footing, the post is split, or the member is carrying a structural load.
Full replacement usually costs more upfront but addresses deterioration throughout the post. For a simple fence post, replacement may be $150-$350 installed; for a structural deck or porch support, the total can reach $300-$700 or more. If multiple posts share the same age, exposure, and failure pattern, inspect them together to avoid paying separate diagnostic and mobilization charges.
Look for decay at ground level, soft or crumbling wood, loose connections, and movement under normal loading. A contractor may charge $75-$200 to inspect or diagnose a structural concern, sometimes crediting that fee toward approved work. Do not rely on surface appearance alone when the post supports a roof, deck, or other significant load.
Repair is economical only when the remaining post and its footing are sound. For structural supports, have a qualified professional determine whether reinforcement is acceptable or whether full replacement is needed, and ensure the estimate accounts for temporary support during the work.