Black limba wood price typically runs about $8-$25 per board foot for kiln-dried lumber, with highly figured boards and wide slabs costing more. Grade, thickness, usable yield, shipping distance, and whether the wood is surfaced or live-edge drive the final bill.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rough lumber | $8/bd ft | $14/bd ft | $25/bd ft | Common kiln-dried boards |
| Figured lumber | $18/bd ft | $30/bd ft | $50+/bd ft | Strong stripe or unusual figure |
| Live-edge slab | $200 | $600 | $2,000+ | Price depends on size and drying |
| Custom milling | $75 | $250 | $700+ | Setup, flattening, and surfacing |
Black limba lumber prices by grade and board-foot volume
For ordinary domestic retail purchases, buyers often pay $8-$25 per board foot for black limba, also sold as afara or limba. A board foot measures a piece 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches long. A 4/4 rough board measuring 6 inches by 8 feet contains about 4 board feet, so at $14 per board foot its lumber cost is roughly $56 before shipping or milling.
Clear, straight-grained stock usually falls toward the lower or middle part of the range. Select boards with pronounced dark streaks, consistent color, or fewer defects may cost $20-$35 per board foot. Exceptional figure, rare widths, or carefully matched sets can exceed $50 per board foot. Assumptions: kiln-dried retail lumber, ordinary access, and U.S. pricing before sales tax. For a typical furniture project, budgeting $12-$22 per board foot is a reasonable starting point.
What rough lumber, milling, and delivery add to a quote
Retail listings may quote rough, surfaced, or dimensioned stock, so the lumber rate alone does not always show the delivered cost. Confirm thickness after surfacing, moisture condition, minimum order, and whether defects reduce the usable yield. The table shows common add-ons; local shop rates and shipping distances vary.
| Quote component | Typical charge | What it covers | Cost effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rough lumber | $8-$25/bd ft | Board before surfacing | Lower starting price |
| Surfacing or straight-line ripping | $2-$6/bd ft | One or more machining steps | Raises finished-stock cost |
| Custom milling | $75-$125/hour | Flattening, dimensioning, setup | Often $100-$400 per order |
| Freight or local delivery | $40-$250 | Parcel, pallet, or local drop-off | Higher for long or heavy boards |
| Waste allowance | 10%-25% of material | Knots, checks, trimming, defects | More for narrow project tolerances |
For shop work, labor may be billed separately from wood and milling. A simple cut-and-fit project might take 3-6 hours, while a tabletop requiring flattening, joining, and finish preparation can take 10-20 hours. Ask for an itemized quote that separates board feet, machining, delivery, and shop labor.
How width, thickness, and figure change the price
Board dimensions affect both the listed price and the amount of usable wood. Standard 4/4 boards are about 1 inch thick before final surfacing; 8/4 stock, commonly used for substantial legs or turning, can cost more per board foot because thick, clear pieces are harder to source. Extra-wide boards over 10-12 inches may carry a premium, especially if the grain is continuous and the board is free of major splits.
Figure also matters: plain black limba is not priced like heavily striped stock sometimes called black limba, and sellers may use that name inconsistently. Request photos of the actual board, not a representative image. Boards with end checks, twisting, or inconsistent thickness may require extra trimming, reducing yield. Compare the price per usable board foot, not just the nominal board-foot count.
What black limba slabs cost for tabletops and benches
Live-edge black limba slabs commonly sell for $200-$2,000 or more each. A modest slab around 6-8 feet long and 18-24 inches wide may cost $300-$900, while wider, longer, well-dried pieces with strong grain can exceed $1,500. Slab listings are often priced by piece rather than board foot, so dimensions and thickness are essential for comparison.
Flattening, filling checks, and sanding can add $150-$700, depending on size and shop time; resin work or a high-gloss finish can add substantially more. Confirm whether the slab is kiln-dried, surfaced on both faces, and sold with the bark edge intact. A low slab price may reflect unfinished milling or a lower usable area.
Regional lumber prices and freight across the United States
Because black limba is an imported specialty hardwood, local inventory and freight matter more than proximity to a particular growing region. Larger hardwood dealers and metropolitan wood markets may offer more selection, while rural buyers may face fewer choices and higher delivery charges. As a practical estimate, a local stocked board may be 5%-15% below a comparable shipped order; freight-heavy or remote deliveries can run 10%-30% above the lumber-only price.
Prices also depend on the supplier’s inventory and import replacement cost. Compare at least two sellers using the same thickness, grade, moisture condition, and quantity. For a small order, shipping can outweigh a modest per-board-foot discount. Request the delivered total for the exact dimensions before choosing a supplier.
Black limba compared with walnut, sapele, and other hardwoods
Black limba is often chosen for its light golden-to-brown color and dark streaking, rather than as the lowest-cost hardwood. Common walnut frequently costs about $10-$20 per board foot, while sapele may run $8-$18 and plain limba can be near $8-$20. Prices overlap, but figured black limba can be much more expensive than ordinary boards of those alternatives.
For a dark, high-contrast look, compare actual boards rather than species names because grain varies. If appearance is flexible, ask a wood dealer about other locally stocked hardwoods with similar color and workability. Substitution can reduce material cost, but it may change color, finishing behavior, or project dimensions. Choose a substitute only after comparing the finished appearance and available board sizes.
Three project budgets for black limba boards
A small cutting board or box project using 6 board feet of plain stock at $12-$18 per board foot costs about $72-$108 in wood, plus shipping and waste. A side table using 18 board feet of select 4/4 and 8/4 lumber at $18-$28 per board foot costs about $324-$504 for material; 8-12 hours of shop labor at $75-$125 per hour could add $600-$1,500.
A 7-foot live-edge desk slab might cost $500-$1,200, depending on width and figure. Flattening and finish preparation could add $250-$650, while legs or a base are additional. These examples exclude tax and unusually costly freight. Project totals rise quickly when custom labor exceeds the cost of the wood itself.
Ways to lower the cost of a black limba project
Plan dimensions around standard board widths and lengths, and buy only enough extra stock for realistic trimming rather than excessive overage. Plain, unfigured boards can deliver the species’ color at a lower rate. If the project needs only a narrow accent, use limba selectively and pair it with a less expensive hardwood.
Ask whether rough lumber costs less than surfaced stock, then compare the savings with local milling charges. For larger orders, request a volume quote and combine boards into one shipment. Avoid paying a premium for figure that will be hidden in a joint, painted surface, or small component. Keeping the design within standard stock sizes is often the most reliable way to control the final price.