Cedar lumber typically costs $5-$15 per board foot, with common boards often priced from $3-$12 per linear foot depending on size, grade, and species. A small project may cost $100-$500 in materials, while a deck or privacy fence can require $1,000-$5,000 or more; board dimensions, clear versus knotty grade, delivery, and local supply drive the final price.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common cedar board | $3 per linear ft | $7 per linear ft | $15 per linear ft | Varies by thickness, width, species, and grade |
| Board-foot material | $5 | $9 | $18 | Typical retail range; clear stock may cost more |
| Fence picket | $3 each | $6 each | $12 each | Usually 1×6, about 6 ft tall |
| Cedar decking | $4 per sq ft | $7 per sq ft | $12 per sq ft | Material only, before framing and installation |
| Installed cedar fence | $20 per linear ft | $35 per linear ft | $60 per linear ft | Standard-height fence; terrain and removal affect labor |
Typical cedar lumber prices by board size and grade
For standard retail stock, a 1×4 cedar board often runs $3-$8 per linear foot, a 1×6 runs $4-$12, and a 2×6 runs $7-$18. Prices generally reflect nominal dimensions; actual surfaced boards are smaller. A 1x6x8 board may therefore cost about $32-$96, while a 2x6x8 can land around $56-$144.
Budget roughly $5-$15 per board foot for ordinary cedar lumber, with premium clear boards reaching $18-$30 or more. Knotty boards suit fences, siding, and rustic projects; clear grades have fewer visible defects and are usually selected for trim, furniture, and exposed finish work. Board-foot pricing is useful when comparing different thicknesses, but retail stores may price each board individually.
Species also matters. Western red cedar is widely used for siding, fencing, and outdoor projects, while aromatic eastern red cedar is commonly sold for closet lining and smaller specialty pieces. Local availability can make either variety less expensive in its home region. Assumptions: U.S. retail purchases, standard surfaced boards, ordinary access, and no specialty milling.
What cedar boards, milling, and delivery add to a quote
A lumber-yard quote may include more than the board price. The following ranges help separate material expense from preparation and delivery charges; local minimums and order size can change the total.
| Quote item | Low | Typical | High | What changes the rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common cedar stock | $5 per board ft | $9 per board ft | $18 per board ft | Species, grade, thickness, and moisture |
| Custom milling or planing | $0.50 per board ft | $1.50 per board ft | $4 per board ft | Profile, setup, and small-batch work |
| Cutting or sorting labor | $50 per hour | $75 per hour | $110 per hour | Shop rate and amount of handling |
| Local delivery | $50 | $100 | $250 | Distance, load size, and truck access |
| Stain or sealer | $30 per gallon | $55 per gallon | $90 per gallon | Product type and coverage |
Confirm whether the quote covers surfaced boards, custom cuts, delivery, and sales tax before comparing totals. A lower price per board foot may not be the better deal if it excludes milling or requires a costly delivery. Specialty profiles, such as tongue-and-groove siding or beveled trim, can carry both a higher material rate and a shop setup charge.
For a project that involves installation, labor is separate from lumber. Carpenter rates commonly range from $50-$100 per hour, and a small outdoor build may require 10-30 hours. Disposal of an old fence or damaged boards can add $150-$600 depending on volume and hauling distance.
Why species, grade, thickness, and board length shift prices
Grade and appearance are major price drivers. Knotty cedar can be substantially less expensive than clear or select-grade stock; on some products, the upgrade adds 30%-100%. For a fence where knots and color variation are acceptable, paying for clear lumber usually adds expense without improving function.
Thickness and width also affect the bill. A 2×6 board contains about twice the wood volume of a 1×6 of equal length, so it generally costs more than twice as much if thicker stock is scarcer or needs extra processing. Long, straight boards over 12 ft often cost 15%-40% more per linear foot than shorter lengths because they are harder to source and have fewer usable pieces per log.
Compare the actual dimensions and grade, not just the label or price per board. A 1×6 board is typically about ¾ inch by 5½ inches after surfacing; coverage and cost calculations based on nominal size can be misleading. Cedar decking commonly ranges from $4-$12 per square foot for boards alone, while wider or clear-grade decking may exceed that range.
Moisture, defects, and intended exposure matter as well. Kiln-dried, straight boards can cost more than rough or green stock, but may be easier to install for finish work. For outdoor use, the correct design, fasteners, spacing, and finish affect service life; cedar lumber should not be assumed to eliminate maintenance costs.
How far a 500-square-foot order goes in different cedar projects
Project quantities help make retail prices easier to interpret. A 500-square-foot deck using cedar boards at $4-$12 per square foot would need approximately $2,000-$6,000 in decking material, excluding framing, fasteners, stairs, and labor. Board layout, waste, and the selected board width can change the order size.
A 100-linear-foot, 6-ft privacy fence might use roughly 160-200 cedar pickets, depending on picket width and spacing. At $3-$12 each, pickets alone could cost about $480-$2,400. Rails, posts, concrete, gates, hardware, and labor are additional; a complete installed fence often falls around $2,000-$6,000 for this length.
Plan for 5%-10% extra boards for routine cuts and defects, and more for complex layouts. A small 40-square-foot garden structure may need $150-$500 in cedar boards, while custom furniture or exterior trim can cost more because clear stock and careful cutting are required. For each estimate, identify whether the stated project price includes the supporting structure.
Regional cedar prices from coastal mills to inland stores
Cedar costs are not uniform nationwide. In the Pacific Northwest, where western red cedar is produced and distributed, common stock may run 10%-25% below prices in distant inland markets, particularly for larger orders. Retail prices can still be high when local demand is strong or a specific grade is limited.
In the Northeast and Midwest, delivered lumber may cost 5%-20% more than near-source pricing because of freight and handling. Remote rural locations can add another $50-$250 in delivery charges, while urban stores may have higher retail overhead but lower delivery distances. These percentages are directional comparisons, not guaranteed regional discounts.
Request a delivered price for the full quantity rather than comparing shelf prices alone. A supplier that is 15% cheaper per board may become more expensive after a minimum delivery fee, a long-distance surcharge, or the need to buy extra boards to meet a pack size. Local inventory can also favor a different species or grade.
When cedar beats pressure-treated pine or composite boards
Pressure-treated pine is often the lower-cost choice for a basic fence or deck structure. Its boards may cost about $2-$6 per linear foot, compared with roughly $4-$12 for common cedar decking boards. Cedar offers a natural appearance and is often chosen for visible surfaces, but it may need periodic cleaning and finishing to maintain its color.
Composite decking generally costs more upfront, often around $8-$20 per square foot for boards alone, although product and brand ranges vary. It can reduce routine staining needs but still requires suitable framing and installation. Cedar can be a middle-ground material when the appearance is valued and the buyer accepts upkeep.
For hidden framing, compare structural suitability and treatment requirements before paying a cedar premium. A mixed-material approach—treated lumber for framing and cedar for visible decking, rails, or trim—can lower the initial bill. For small repairs, replacing only damaged boards may cost $50-$300 in material, rather than rebuilding an entire section.
Three cedar lumber quotes for common U.S. project scopes
A fence-material quote for 100 linear feet might include 180 knotty 1x6x6 cedar pickets at $6 each, rails and posts for $450-$800, and fasteners for $75-$150. Materials could total about $1,600-$2,050 before delivery and tax. A contractor installation can bring the completed project to roughly $2,500-$4,500, depending on terrain and gate count.
A 200-square-foot cedar deck surface might use boards priced at $5-$10 per square foot, or $1,000-$2,000 for decking. Allow $150-$350 for fasteners and trim, plus $1,500-$3,500 for installation labor where the framing is ready. A replacement that needs new framing, stairs, or demolition can cost substantially more.
Custom milling and clear-grade selection can move a modest order into a premium budget quickly. For example, 80 board feet of clear cedar at $18-$30 per board foot costs $1,440-$2,400 before machining. At $1-$4 per board foot for a specialty profile, milling adds $80-$320; delivery and finishing supplies may add another $100-$300.
Labor estimates should state the work included. A simple deck-board replacement may take a two-person crew 4-8 hours, while a new 100-linear-foot fence can require 2-4 days depending on post setting, slopes, and removal. Labor estimate: crew hours multiplied by the local hourly rate, plus any minimum charge.
How to lower a cedar lumber bill without buying the wrong grade
Match grade to visibility. Knotty cedar is often adequate for fences, garden structures, and rustic siding, while clear stock is most useful where a smooth, uniform finish is essential. Choosing standard lengths and profiles can also avoid custom-milling fees and reduce the number of unusable offcuts.
Keep the project dimensions fixed before ordering and compare identical board specifications from at least three suppliers. Ask each yard to quote the same species, grade, actual dimensions, length, moisture condition, and delivery address. Check whether the quote allows board selection or sells mixed bundles, since a bundle with more defects may require a larger waste allowance.
Combine orders for separate project areas when practical to spread delivery charges, but avoid buying excess lumber that may warp or weather in storage. For an outdoor build, price the complete assembly—not only the cedar surface—and avoid paying for a premium finish on boards that will be concealed. A repair is usually cheaper when the damage is isolated and the surrounding boards remain sound.
Timing can help when a retailer is clearing seasonal inventory, but the lowest sale price is not useful if the required lengths are unavailable. Confirm stock and delivery dates before scheduling a crew. For larger purchases, ask whether the quote is valid for a set period, since lumber prices can shift with supply and freight.
What to check before accepting a cedar lumber estimate
Review the quote for board count, nominal and actual size, grade, species, and included waste. Confirm that the material is intended for the project’s exposure and that fasteners or compatible finish products are specified where needed. A vague line reading “cedar boards” makes it difficult to compare cost or verify that the delivered order matches expectations.
Separate material, delivery, milling, tax, and installation charges so each price can be checked. For installed work, ask whether demolition, post holes, disposal, stairs, gates, and site cleanup are included. Cedar lumber itself generally does not require a building permit simply because of its species, but decks, fences, and structural changes may be subject to local permit rules and height or setback limits.
Check the delivery condition when the order arrives and record damaged or missing boards before installation. Keep the invoice and any written warranty terms; natural wood appearance, checking, and color variation may be treated differently from structural defects. A detailed estimate makes it easier to distinguish a reasonable regional price difference from a missing scope item.