Cedar board foot price typically ranges from $3 to $18, with many standard boards costing about $7 per board foot before delivery or installation. Species, grade, thickness, board width, and whether lumber is rough or surfaced drive the biggest differences.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rough or common cedar lumber | $3/bd ft | $5/bd ft | $8/bd ft | Often includes knots or variable appearance |
| Standard surfaced cedar | $5/bd ft | $8/bd ft | $12/bd ft | Typical retail range for usable boards |
| Clear or select cedar | $9/bd ft | $13/bd ft | $18/bd ft | Fewer defects; species and width matter |
| Installed cedar boards | $8/bd ft | $16/bd ft | $30/bd ft | Includes labor and ordinary fastening |
Assumptions: U.S. retail lumber pricing, ordinary access, and no specialty milling or unusually long boards.
What cedar lumber costs per board foot
For budgeting, standard cedar lumber commonly falls between $5 and $12 per board foot, with an estimated midpoint near $8. Rough, knotty boards can cost less, while clear-grade Western red cedar and other appearance-grade stock may reach $18 per board foot or more. Prices vary by species, seller, local supply, and board dimensions.
A board foot is a volume measure equal to 144 cubic inches. The calculation is thickness in inches × width in inches × length in feet, divided by 12. A nominal 1-inch-by-6-inch-by-8-foot board contains 4 board feet, so at $8 per board foot its lumber cost is about $32, before sales tax or delivery.
Compare the quoted price per board foot, not just the price per board. Retail listings may use nominal dimensions even when the actual surfaced board is thinner or narrower. Assumptions: standard 1-inch nominal stock, with no waste allowance included.
How grade, milling, and labor shape a cedar quote
A project quote can include lumber, cutting or milling, installation labor, and delivery. Retail lumber rates generally do not include labor. Installed pricing depends on layout, fastening, site access, and whether old material must be removed.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar lumber | $5-$18 per board foot | Species, grade, thickness, and width |
| Cutting or basic milling | $1-$4 per board foot | Custom dimensions, edge profile, and shop minimums |
| Installation labor | $50-$100 per hour | Finish detail, crew rates, and access |
| Delivery | $50-$150 per order | Distance, load size, and unloading needs |
| Removal and disposal | $2-$6 per sq ft | Existing material, weight, and disposal rules |
Labor may be priced by the hour or by the square foot, rather than by board foot. A basic installation can add roughly $3-$12 per square foot, while detailed trim or difficult fitting can cost more.
Separate the wood charge from installation, delivery, and disposal. This makes quotes easier to compare when one supplier includes milling or drop-off and another does not.
Why 1-by-6 boards and clear grades cost more
Board size affects the total price because thicker and wider lumber contains more volume. A 2-by-6-by-8-foot piece contains 8 board feet, twice the volume of a 1-by-6-by-8-foot piece. Wider boards can also carry a premium when they are clear, straight, and long.
Grade is another major variable. Common or knotty stock suits projects where appearance is less critical; clear-grade boards are selected for a cleaner finish and typically cost substantially more. Surfaced boards are ready for many uses but may cost more than rough-sawn stock, and custom profiles add milling charges.
Species matters too. Western red cedar is widely used for siding, fencing, and outdoor projects, while other cedar species may have different color, availability, and price. When a quote says only “cedar,” ask for the species, grade, actual dimensions, and whether the lumber is kiln-dried or surfaced.
Check dimensions and grade before treating two cedar prices as comparable. A 12-foot clear board is not equivalent to an 8-foot common board at the same per-board-foot rate.
How cedar prices shift between regions and suppliers
Prices are often lower near mills and established lumber distributors, where local supply reduces freight and handling. In areas far from cedar-producing regions, specialty retail prices may run about 10%-30% higher than a well-supplied market. Urban stores can also charge more for delivery and limited inventory, while rural buyers may face longer delivery distances or order minimums.
These are planning differences, not fixed regional rates. Grade, species, board length, and the quantity ordered can outweigh location. A small order of select boards may have a higher per-board-foot price than a larger purchase, even at the same store.
Get at least two local quotes that specify species, grade, dimensions, and delivery. Ask whether the rate is per board foot and whether the supplier charges separately for milling or special-order stock.
Three cedar board foot examples for common purchases
| Purchase | Board feet | Lumber rate | Estimated lumber total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Six 1-by-6-by-8-foot common boards | 24 bd ft | $5-$8/bd ft | $120-$192 |
| Ten 1-by-6-by-10-foot surfaced boards | 50 bd ft | $7-$12/bd ft | $350-$600 |
| Eight 2-by-6-by-8-foot clear boards | 64 bd ft | $11-$18/bd ft | $704-$1,152 |
These totals cover lumber only, before waste, taxes, delivery, or installation. For boards cut to length, the charged volume may be based on the purchased stock size rather than the finished piece. Add about 10%-15% for ordinary cutting waste, with extra allowance for complex layouts or defects.
Use the board-foot formula to check each estimate. The examples assume full-length boards and prices that vary with local stock and grade.
When delivery, milling, or removal adds to the bill
Small orders can carry a delivery minimum even when the lumber total is modest. Special-order species, uncommon thicknesses, or lengths over 12 feet may require advance ordering and added freight. Milling can include ripping, planing, rounding edges, or matching an existing profile; each operation can add shop time.
Replacing existing boards adds labor for removal and disposal. If the old material is attached with difficult fasteners or the underlying framing needs repair, the job may require more hours than a simple installation. Ask the contractor to list assumed labor hours, disposal, and any allowance for damaged framing separately.
Confirm delivery conditions and the treatment of offcuts before approving the estimate. A quote that excludes unloading, disposal, or repair can appear cheaper than the final bill.
Ways to lower cedar board prices without changing the project
Choose common or knotty grade where appearance allows, and reserve clear boards for visible areas. Standard widths and lengths are usually easier to source than custom dimensions. Planning cuts around stock sizes can reduce offcuts, while buying the full quantity in one order may avoid repeat delivery charges.
Compare rough-sawn and surfaced stock only after accounting for the labor or tools needed to finish it. For an outdoor project, confirm the intended use and appropriate installation details instead of paying for an unnecessary premium grade. Get written quotes with the same species, grade, dimensions, quantity, milling, delivery, and waste assumptions.
The most reliable savings come from controlling grade, dimensions, and waste before ordering. Avoid reducing the quantity estimate too aggressively; a second small order may cost more per board foot and delay the work.