LVL beam price per foot typically ranges from $3 to $12 for the beam material, while a professionally installed beam may cost $50 to $200 or more per linear foot. Price depends on beam depth and number of plies, span, local labor rates, and whether the job requires wall removal, temporary supports, engineering, or permits.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LVL material | $3 per ft | $6 per ft | $12 per ft | Per ply; size and supplier affect price |
| Installed beam | $50 per ft | $100 per ft | $200+ per ft | Labor and access drive the total |
| Engineering and permits | $250 | $800 | $2,000+ | Project and jurisdiction dependent |
What a residential LVL beam costs per foot
For common residential sizes, one LVL ply often costs about $3-$8 per linear foot; deeper or heavier plies can reach $9-$12 or more. A beam made from two or three plies requires multiple pieces, so material cost is usually calculated per ply and then multiplied by the beam length and ply count.
Installed pricing commonly lands around $50-$200 per foot for a straightforward residential opening. This range assumes a standard interior remodel and excludes major finish restoration; removing a load-bearing wall, adding posts, or working in a tight space can push the total higher. Assumptions: U.S. residential project, standard LVL stock, normal access, and no unusual structural repairs. For a basic budget, separate the beam’s per-ply price from the full installation quote.
How beam materials, labor, and permits appear in quotes
Quotes vary in what they include. A materials-only quote may cover the beam but not delivery, temporary support, lifting, posts, or wall repairs. Ask whether pricing includes the complete load path from beam to foundation.
| Quote item | Typical price | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| LVL stock | $3-$12 per ply per ft | Depth, width, grade, and order length |
| Installation labor | $40-$100 per ft | Crew size, opening, lifting, and access |
| Posts and connectors | $100-$600 total | Post count, hardware, and support design |
| Engineering and permit | $250-$2,000+ | Stamped plans and local review rules |
| Delivery and disposal | $75-$500 | Beam length, distance, and demolition debris |
Labor may be quoted as a project fee rather than a foot rate. A complete quote should identify material, structural work, permit fees, and finish repairs separately.
Beam depth, plies, and span change the estimate
Beam dimensions and the load it carries determine the design; a longer span does not automatically mean a simple price increase. A 9.5-inch-deep, single-ply beam may fit a modest opening, while a 14-inch-deep beam or a two- to three-ply assembly costs more in materials and can require more labor to position.
As a rough material comparison, a single 1.75-inch-wide ply may run $3-$8 per foot at common depths, and a deeper or specialty LVL may reach $9-$12 per foot. Two plies can roughly double beam-stock cost before fastening and installation. Openings around 10 feet or longer often warrant careful structural review because loads, floor direction, and support locations matter. Beam sizing must follow the structural design, not a price-per-foot shortcut.
Control the LVL installation price through scope
Cost control starts with agreeing on the opening width, beam placement, post locations, and finish work before demolition. Changing the span after work begins can mean new engineering, extra material, and schedule delays. Keep decorative work such as drywall, paint, and flooring clearly separated if it can be handled by another contractor.
Compare at least two detailed quotes using the same beam dimensions and scope. Check whether each includes temporary shoring, hardware, delivery, debris removal, and permit coordination. Avoid choosing a smaller beam or fewer plies to save money without approval from the designer or building official. Clear scope comparison is safer and more useful than comparing one unexplained per-foot number.
How many labor hours does beam installation take
A simple installation can take a three-person crew roughly 6-10 hours after materials are on site, though preparation and finish repairs may extend the project. Opening a load-bearing wall, installing temporary supports, moving a heavy multi-ply assembly, and setting new posts can require 1-3 workdays.
Contractor labor rates often fall around $75-$150 per hour per worker, depending on trade and market; a crew quote may bundle several workers and equipment. Restricted access, stairs, long carries, or occupied rooms can add hours. Ask whether the estimate includes demolition and cleanup or only beam placement. Labor time and crew access can matter more than the beam’s raw material price.
Regional labor rates shift installed beam pricing
Labor-heavy metro markets, including parts of the Northeast and West Coast, may price 15%-35% above a national midrange. Smaller cities and rural areas can be 10%-20% lower, although remote delivery or limited contractor availability may erase that difference. These are broad comparisons, not fixed regional tariffs.
For example, a straightforward project budgeted at $100 per foot in a mid-cost market might land near $115-$135 per foot in a high-cost metro, or about $80-$90 in a lower-cost area. Permits and engineering are locally priced and may not follow the same percentage pattern. Use local labor and permit quotes to adjust national ranges to a real project.
Wall removal, posts, and finish work add separate charges
Removing drywall and framing can add roughly $10-$30 per square foot of affected wall area, while disposal may add $75-$500 depending on debris and hauling distance. New posts, footing work, or foundation reinforcement can add hundreds to several thousand dollars when the existing structure cannot carry the load.
Painting, trim, and drywall restoration are often excluded from structural bids; a small patch may cost a few hundred dollars, while broader room repairs can exceed $1,000. Electrical, plumbing, or ductwork relocation can increase the project total substantially. Confirm which adjacent trades and finish repairs are excluded before comparing totals.
Three residential quotes show how scope affects totals
A 10-foot, single-ply beam replacement with clear access might include $60-$100 in beam stock per foot, plus basic labor and hardware, for a total near $1,000-$1,800. This assumes limited demolition and no new footing.
A 12-foot, two-ply beam for a load-bearing wall opening may require 12-20 crew labor hours, temporary shoring, posts, and permit review; a realistic total is about $3,000-$6,000. A 16-foot, deeper multi-ply installation with restricted access, engineering, and finish work may total $6,000-$12,000 or more. These examples are planning ranges; the approved beam design and site conditions determine the actual quote.