A 6x6x12 pressure treated lumber price is typically $35-$75 per post, with an average near $52 for common residential stock. Ground-contact treatment, lumber grade, regional availability, delivery, and whether the post is installed can all change the final bill.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One treated 6x6x12 post | $35 | $52 | $75 | Materials only; grade and treatment vary |
| Price per linear foot | $2.90 | $4.35 | $6.25 | Based on a 12-foot post |
| Installed post | $100 | $190 | $350 | Typical labor and basic setting, before unusual site work |
What a 12-foot treated 6×6 post usually costs
Retail prices commonly fall between $35 and $75 for one pressure-treated 6x6x12, before tax or delivery. A middle-of-the-market estimate is about $52, or roughly $4.35 per linear foot. Prices are not uniform nationally, and a yard may charge more for selected, straighter stock than a home-improvement store does for standard utility-grade lumber.
The nominal 6×6 size is usually about 5.5 by 5.5 inches actual. The estimate assumes a standard pressure-treated post, ordinary retail availability, and no cutting or installation. Assumptions: standard residential stock, typical access, and no bulk discount. For budgeting, $45-$60 per post is a reasonable starting range for common stock, with a larger allowance for premium grade or limited local supply.
How lumber, delivery, and setting shape the quote
A materials-only purchase is much cheaper than a post installed in a hole or attached to a structure. The table separates the main charges; labor varies with the job, and some contractors have a minimum service fee even when only one post is involved.
| Quote item | Low | Average | High | Typical basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumber | $35 | $52 | $75 | Per 12-foot post |
| Labor | $50 | $110 | $220 | One post; uncomplicated access |
| Delivery | $0 | $45 | $100 | Pickup to local drop-off |
| Concrete and hardware | $10 | $30 | $65 | Basic post setting or connectors |
| Tax and disposal | $0 | $15 | $45 | Varies by location and old-post removal |
Installation labor may run about $50-$110 per hour, though contractors often price a post-setting task as a total. Ask whether the quote includes digging, concrete, hardware, disposal, and haul-away; an apparently low labor price may cover setting only.
Delivery and labor can exceed the price of the post itself on a one-post job. Multiple posts completed in one visit usually spread mobilization and delivery charges across more units.
Why treatment level, grade, and length change the price
Treatment is a major comparison point. Above-ground-rated lumber may cost less, while ground-contact-rated stock is intended for closer exposure to soil or moisture and often carries a price premium. Check the end tag or product description rather than relying only on the phrase “pressure treated.” Treatment suitability depends on how the post will be used.
Length and grade matter too. A 12-foot post costs more than a shorter post partly because it contains more lumber, while clear, appearance-grade, or straighter pieces may cost more than utility stock. A post with splits, excessive bow, or twist can be difficult to use for a visible project. For fence or structural use, verify both the treatment rating and the grade required by the design or local code.
Nominal dimensions are not actual dimensions: a typical 6×6 measures approximately 5.5 inches on each face. If a project requires a precise finished size, account for that difference before ordering. Special ordering, a less common species, or a required appearance grade can push pricing above ordinary retail ranges.
How prices vary between U.S. regions
Local supply and freight make regional pricing different. In areas with nearby mills, treatment facilities, and strong competition among lumberyards, common posts may be closer to the lower end. Remote communities, islands, mountain markets, and places with limited yard inventory can land 10%-25% above a typical local quote.
Urban delivery may cost more because of traffic, restricted access, or minimum order charges; rural delivery may involve a longer mileage fee. These effects do not always offset each other, so compare delivered totals rather than the shelf price alone. For a single post, a $20 delivery charge changes the effective unit cost by $20, while the same fee spread across ten posts adds only $2 per post.
Three realistic 6x6x12 project budgets
A single post bought at a retail store may total $40-$85 after sales tax, depending on local price and tax rate, when the buyer picks it up. A two-post fence repair with ground-contact lumber, delivery, and straightforward setting may run about $300-$600 total. A four-post deck or shelter project with concrete, connectors, and moderate labor can reach $700-$1,400, excluding major structural redesign.
| Scenario | Quantity and scope | Estimated total | Approximate cost per post |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickup purchase | 1 post, materials only | $40-$85 | $40-$85 |
| Fence repair | 2 posts, delivery and basic setting | $300-$600 | $150-$300 |
| Small structure | 4 posts, concrete, connectors, labor | $700-$1,400 | $175-$350 |
These examples assume ordinary soil and accessible work areas. Rock, roots, steep slopes, buried utilities, or removal of old concrete footings can add substantially. The total depends more on digging and crew mobilization than on the small difference between two lumber prices.
When delivery, cutting, or old-post removal adds expense
Retail delivery for long, heavy lumber may cost $25-$100 or more, with some suppliers requiring a minimum order. Cutting may be free at some yards or charged at about $2-$10 per cut; confirm whether cuts are accurate enough for the project and whether the store will cut treated lumber.
Removing a failed post can add roughly $50-$200 per post when extraction, concrete breakup, and disposal are included. Difficult access or a large concrete footing can push the fee higher. For a replacement, ask whether the installer can use the existing hole; reuse may save digging, but only if the hole, footing, and post location remain suitable.
Ways to lower the 6×6 post bill without cutting corners
Compare at least two local lumberyards with a home-improvement retailer, using the same dimensions, treatment rating, and grade. Request a delivered quote that lists tax, handling, and any minimum charge. Buying several posts at once may qualify for volume pricing and reduce delivery cost per unit.
Measure carefully before ordering and plan cuts to avoid paying for unusable offcuts. Pickup can make sense for one post if a suitable vehicle and safe tie-downs are available; long lumber should not be transported unsafely. Avoid paying for appearance-grade lumber where it will be hidden, but do not substitute above-ground treatment for ground-contact use simply to save a few dollars.
For installation, combine related post work into one visit and clear the access path before the crew arrives. Compare the cost of replacing only a damaged post with replacing an entire run, while checking that the remaining structure is sound. The safest savings come from reducing delivery, repeat labor, and unnecessary upgrades—not from ignoring treatment requirements or structural specifications.