Rough cut cedar typically costs about $4-$10 per board foot, with a common middle price near $7. Species, thickness, grade, drying, local availability, and whether the boards are sold retail or directly from a sawmill drive the quote. For an accurate budget, confirm the cedar species, actual dimensions, grade, and whether the price includes drying or delivery.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rough cedar lumber | $3-$5 per board foot | $6-$8 per board foot | $10-$18 per board foot | Common local stock through premium or scarce grades |
| Small purchase | $60-$125 | $150-$350 | $400-$900 | About 20-60 board feet, before delivery |
| Custom milling | $0.50-$1.50 per board foot | $1.50-$3 per board foot | $3-$6 per board foot | May have a minimum charge |
What rough cedar costs by board foot
For ordinary rough-sawn cedar boards, a practical U.S. estimate is $4-$10 per board foot. Lower quotes around $3-$5 are more likely for locally abundant species, lower grades, green lumber, or larger orders. Select western red cedar and other scarce or wide clear boards can reach $10-$18 or more per board foot.
A board foot measures volume, not board length: thickness in inches × width in inches × length in feet ÷ 12. A rough 1-inch-thick, 6-inch-wide, 8-foot board contains 4 board feet, so at $7 per board foot the lumber costs about $28. Assumptions: U.S. retail or small-mill pricing, standard rough stock, before tax and delivery.
How sawing, drying, and delivery shape the quote
Material is usually the largest charge, but milling, drying, and transportation can change the total. A mill may price custom sawing separately, while a retailer may include processing in the per-board-foot price. Ask whether the quoted dimensions are rough sizes or finished sizes; planed lumber loses thickness and width.
| Quote component | Typical range | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|
| Rough cedar lumber | $3-$18 per board foot | Species, grade, thickness, width, and moisture |
| Custom sawing | $0.50-$3 per board foot | Cut list, setup, and order minimum |
| Kiln drying | $0.75-$2.50 per board foot | Batch size, starting moisture, and schedule |
| Planing or surfacing | $0.50-$2 per board foot | Finished dimensions and number of passes |
| Delivery | $50-$250 per order | Distance, load size, and unloading access |
Compare the delivered, usable cost rather than the lumber-only rate. For paid milling, labor is often billed as a minimum or a per-unit service rather than an hourly line item. Where it is hourly, and rates around $50-$100 per hour are a reasonable planning range, depending on the shop and region.
Why species, thickness, and grade move cedar prices
Species is a major price variable. Western red cedar is widely used for siding, trim, and outdoor projects, while eastern red cedar and locally sawn cedar types may have different supply, appearance, and pricing. The species name should appear on the quote rather than relying on “cedar” alone.
Thickness and grade also matter. Rough 4/4 stock is nominally 1 inch thick before drying or surfacing; 8/4 stock is nominally 2 inches thick and can cost more because it uses more wood and may be harder to source. Clear, knot-limited boards typically cost more than knotty or utility grades. A board wider than 10-12 inches, or longer than 12 feet, may carry a premium or require special ordering.
Moisture and cut quality affect suitability. Green lumber can be less expensive, but it may shrink or twist as it dries. Kiln-dried stock generally costs more and is often preferable for interior work or projects requiring more stable dimensions. Price thresholds vary by species, local supply, grade, and whether dimensions are sold by nominal or actual measurement.
Three cedar board orders with realistic totals
Board-foot math makes quotes easier to compare when board sizes differ. These examples use illustrative material and service rates, excluding sales tax; actual mill minimums and local delivery can change totals.
- Fence boards: Twenty 1-inch × 6-inch × 8-foot rough boards equal 80 board feet. At $5 per board foot, lumber is $400; a $75 delivery brings the estimate to $475.
- Deck or trim stock: Twenty-four 1-inch × 8-inch × 10-foot boards equal 160 board feet. At $7.50 per board foot, the material is $1,200; $160 for planing and $100 delivery make the total about $1,460.
- Wide clear boards: Ten 2-inch × 10-inch × 10-foot boards equal about 167 board feet. At $14 per board foot, the lumber is about $2,338; $250 for custom milling and delivery brings the order to roughly $2,588.
Local sawmill rates versus retail cedar lumber
Small mills may offer lower per-board-foot pricing when the species is locally available or the buyer can accept green, mixed-width stock. Retail yards are more likely to have consistent dimensions, graded material, and kiln-dried options, but selection and handling are reflected in the price. A direct-mill order may also have a minimum quantity or charge for sorting.
Regional price differences depend on distance to cedar supply and local demand. As a broad budgeting allowance, a buyer near a producing area may pay 10%-25% less than a buyer relying on shipped specialty stock. Remote delivery, urban handling, or a limited supply of the requested species can push quotes 10%-30% above a nearby-market estimate. Get at least two quotes using the same species, grade, moisture condition, and finished dimensions.
When rough cedar beats planed or treated lumber
Rough cedar can save money when the project can use its natural texture and the boards need little or no surfacing. Planed cedar may be worth the added expense for visible trim, furniture, or work requiring uniform thickness. Compare the cost per usable board foot: rough stock that needs extensive planing can erase its initial discount.
For hidden framing, compare cedar with pressure-treated lumber where code and exposure allow; treated lumber is often less expensive, but it does not provide cedar’s appearance. For siding or outdoor trim, compare species and grade rather than substituting based on price alone. Confirm that the selected product suits the project’s moisture exposure and local requirements.
How to lower the rough cedar lumber bill
Use a precise cut list and ask the mill to quote the required sizes, including a reasonable allowance for defects and trimming. Standard 4/4 or 5/4 stock and common lengths are generally easier to source than thick, extra-wide, or unusually long boards. A wider grade range may reduce cost if visible knots are acceptable.
Compare green and kiln-dried options only when the project can accommodate the difference in movement and drying time. Bundling the order can spread delivery or setup charges across more board feet, but buying excess lumber is not a saving if usable offcuts will be discarded. Request separate prices for lumber, milling, drying, surfacing, and delivery so upgrades remain optional rather than hidden in one total.