The average cost of wood varies from about $1-$8 per board foot for common construction lumber to $8-$25 or more for many hardwoods. Species, grade, thickness, drying, local supply, and whether the price includes milling or delivery all affect the quote.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction softwood | $1 per board foot | $2 per board foot | $4 per board foot | Pine, spruce, or fir; common grades |
| Hardwood lumber | $4 per board foot | $10 per board foot | $25+ per board foot | Species, grade, and thickness drive price |
| Pressure-treated lumber | $2 per board foot | $4 per board foot | $8 per board foot | Typical retail pricing; treatment and dimensions vary |
| Firewood | $200 per cord | $350 per cord | $500 per cord | Seasoned, delivered wood; location affects price |
What a typical wood order costs by lumber type
For a small project, a few standard pine boards may cost $20-$100 total, while a hardwood order for furniture or cabinets can run $150-$800 or more. A larger framing or deck purchase can reach several hundred to several thousand dollars. Retail board prices often look higher than wholesale prices because retail lumber may be surfaced, selected, or sold in smaller quantities.
For comparable quotes, check the species, grade, dimensions, moisture condition, and price per board foot. A board foot equals 144 cubic inches: thickness in inches × width in inches × length in feet, divided by 12. A 1-by-6-by-8-foot board contains about 4 board feet, though nominal lumber dimensions differ from actual finished dimensions.
Assumptions: U.S. retail pricing, standard lumber dimensions, ordinary access, and no custom milling unless noted.
How species, milling, and delivery shape the lumber quote
Wood invoices may combine material with milling, handling, delivery, and taxes. Retail stores commonly price standard boards by piece; hardwood dealers often quote by board foot. Custom cuts, planing, and small-order fees can make the effective unit price higher than the listed lumber rate.
| Quote component | Typical price | What it covers | When it applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw lumber | $1-$25+ per board foot | Species, grade, and thickness | All purchases |
| Surfacing or planing | $0.50-$2 per board foot | Flattening or smoothing stock | Rough-sawn hardwood |
| Custom cutting | $5-$20 per cut or $25-$75 minimum | Shop time and setup | Nonstandard lengths or milling |
| Delivery | $50-$150 local | Truck, loading, and distance | Bulky or heavy orders |
| Waste allowance | 10%-20% of material budget | Defects, offcuts, and layout loss | Project ordering |
Material is usually the largest expense, but custom milling and delivery can add $50-$200 to a modest order. Ask whether the quote includes sales tax, handling, and the finished dimensions; surfaced lumber is thinner and narrower than its nominal size.
Why board-foot price changes with species and grade
Common pine, spruce, and fir usually cost less than hardwoods such as walnut, cherry, or white oak. Clear, straight-grained boards with few knots command a premium over lower grades. Kiln-dried lumber is generally more stable for indoor work, while rough-sawn stock may cost less before processing.
Thickness also matters: 8/4 hardwood, nominally 2 inches thick before surfacing, can cost substantially more per board foot than 4/4 stock. Exotic species and wide boards are especially sensitive to limited supply. A quote for walnut at $12-$20 per board foot may be reasonable for common grades, while highly figured or selected boards can exceed $30.
Compare like with like: a lower grade or rough board is not a direct price match for kiln-dried, surfaced, clear stock. For outdoor projects, pressure treatment and ground-contact ratings affect price; treatment does not make all wood suitable for every exposure.
How region and order size shift wood prices
Prices depend on mills, freight routes, local inventory, and competition. In areas near sawmills or major lumber distributors, standard species may cost 5%-15% less than in remote markets. Urban retail yards can run 10%-25% above regional wholesale pricing, while delivery to rural locations may add a flat charge or mileage fee.
Buying a full bundle or larger hardwood order may reduce the per-board-foot rate by roughly 5%-15%, but only if the pieces suit the project. Small quantities can carry minimum charges, and specialty species may require a special order. Firewood is a separate market: a delivered cord commonly costs $200-$500, with higher prices in dense urban areas or during cold-weather shortages.
Request both the material rate and delivered total so freight does not hide the real regional difference.
What three wood project budgets look like
A simple shelf using eight pine boards at $8-$15 each could cost $65-$120 for lumber, plus $10-$30 for cuts. A hardwood tabletop using 20 board feet of oak at $8-$14 per board foot may total $160-$280 for stock, with $30-$80 for milling and an additional waste allowance if boards need matching.
A small deck repair needing 40 board feet of pressure-treated lumber at $3-$6 per board foot could run $120-$240 for material, plus $50-$150 for delivery. These are material-focused estimates; they exclude fasteners, finishing products, and installation labor.
Project totals rise when the layout needs long, wide, defect-free boards or extensive shop preparation. For installed carpentry, labor commonly adds $50-$100 per hour per carpenter, or a project minimum.
When firewood prices differ from lumber prices
Firewood is sold by the cord rather than the board foot. One full cord is a stack measuring 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet, though sellers may also offer smaller face cords or bundles. Confirm the stack dimensions, whether wood is seasoned, species, and whether stacking is included before comparing prices.
Seasoned hardwood such as oak or maple often costs more than mixed or softwood loads, but burns longer. Delivery, stacking, and distance can add $25-$100 or more. A cord advertised below the local range may be partially seasoned, loosely stacked, or a smaller quantity than a full cord.
Verify the delivered volume in writing; a face cord is not equivalent to a full cord.
How to lower the wood bill without sacrificing fit
Choose a grade suited to the finished surface: lower-grade boards can work for painted framing or hidden supports, while visible furniture benefits from selective stock. Standard lengths and widths reduce cutting waste. For hardwood, ask a dealer to estimate usable yield rather than comparing only the raw board-foot rate.
Measure carefully and add a 10%-15% waste reserve for ordinary projects; complex layouts or knotty stock may need more. Compare at least two itemized quotes, including milling, delivery, and minimum-order fees. Avoid buying a large discount bundle unless its species, dimensions, and quality match the project.
The most reliable savings come from controlling waste and preparation charges, not choosing wood that fails the project’s structural or appearance requirements.