TJI 360 joists typically cost about $4-$9 per linear foot for the joist alone, with an average near $6 per foot; deeper or longer pieces usually cost more. Installed framing can run $8-$17 per foot of joist, depending on labor, layout, delivery, and whether the project includes rim board or other framing.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TJI 360 joist, material only | $4/ft | $6/ft | $9/ft | Price varies by depth, length, and supplier |
| Joist and installation | $8/ft | $12/ft | $17/ft | Typical accessible residential framing |
| Example 16-foot joist | $64 | $96 | $144 | Joist material only |
Assumptions: U.S. retail or contractor pricing, standard residential use, and no unusual delivery or structural work.
What TJI 360 Joists Cost by Depth and Length
For budgeting, a TJI 360 generally falls around $4-$9 per linear foot before tax and delivery. A 9½- or 11⅞-inch joist may be near $4-$6 per foot, while 14- or 16-inch depths can reach $6-$9 per foot. Local availability and the required length can shift a quote, and some suppliers price only by the piece.
A 16-foot joist commonly budgets at $64-$144 for material, with about $96 as a midpoint estimate. A 20-foot piece at the same assumed rate would be about $80-$180. Verify the series, depth, flange specification, and length on the supplier quote; TJI products are not interchangeable based on depth alone.
How Materials and Framing Labor Shape the Quote
The joist is only one part of a floor-framing estimate. Contractors may include rim board, blocking, hangers, fasteners, layout, cutting, and labor. The table gives planning ranges; actual counts depend on joist spacing and floor dimensions.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge | Common billing basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| TJI 360 joists | $4-$9/ft | Depth, length, quantity | Per linear foot or piece |
| Labor | $3-$8/ft | Access, layout, crew pace | Per foot or hourly |
| Hangers and fasteners | $3-$15 each | Connection type and load | Per connection |
| Rim board or blocking | $3-$10/ft | Material and perimeter length | Per linear foot |
| Delivery and handling | $75-$350 | Distance, order size, unloading | Per order |
Ask whether the quote includes connectors, rim board, delivery, and installation; omitted items can make a low per-foot rate misleading. Carpentry labor commonly runs about $50-$100 per hour per worker, though contractors may quote the whole framing scope instead.
Why Joist Depth, Span, and Spacing Change Price
Depth is a direct price driver: moving from an 11⅞-inch joist to a 14- or 16-inch model can add roughly $1-$3 per foot, subject to local stock. Longer spans may require a deeper joist or closer spacing, but the correct design depends on loads, floor layout, and manufacturer span tables—not price alone.
Joist spacing also affects the order. At 16 inches on center, a rectangular floor needs about 0.75 joist per square foot of floor area along its width; at 24 inches on center, it needs about 0.5. For a 400-square-foot area, that is approximately 300 versus 200 linear feet before waste, rim board, or openings. Changing spacing or depth requires design approval because it affects stiffness and load capacity.
How Installed TJI 360 Pricing Differs Across U.S. Regions
Material rates may be 10%-25% higher in markets with limited engineered-wood inventory or costly freight. Large metro areas can also carry higher labor rates than rural markets, while remote delivery may add a separate charge. These differences can overlap, so a higher regional estimate is not necessarily a higher joist price; compare material and installation lines separately.
As a rough comparison, a project in a high-cost coastal metro may land 15%-30% above a standard Midwest estimate, while a nearby regional lumberyard with stock can be more competitive than a distant big-box source. Use local quotes for the exact depth and length rather than applying a national per-foot figure to the whole project.
How Long Installation Takes and What Labor Includes
A straightforward 400-square-foot floor might take a three-person crew about one to two working days to lay out and install joists, depending on access, openings, and the rest of the framing scope. Replacement work can take longer because existing framing must be removed and the structure supported. Labor estimates commonly work out to roughly $3-$8 per joist foot for uncomplicated installation.
Confirm whether the labor price includes measuring, cutting, hanger installation, blocking, and cleanup. Stairs, plumbing penetrations, irregular room shapes, or work above finished spaces can add time. Labor comparisons are most useful when each bidder prices the same floor area, joist spacing, depth, and connection details.
When Delivery, Cutting, or Old-Framing Removal Adds Cost
Long joists require suitable transport and unloading, and a small order may incur a minimum delivery fee of about $75-$200. Difficult access, special handling, or a longer haul can push delivery toward $350 or more. Cutting and fitting are usually part of framing labor, but complicated layouts may be priced as added hours rather than a flat per-foot rate.
For a replacement, removal and disposal of existing framing can add about $2-$6 per square foot, depending on debris volume and access. Structural shoring, rot repair, or code-related changes are separate scope items and may require a site-specific estimate. Request separate prices for delivery, demolition, disposal, and structural repairs so those charges do not disappear inside a lump sum.
How to Lower a TJI 360 Order Without Changing the Design
Have the designer or supplier prepare a complete, optimized cut list before ordering. Accurate lengths can reduce offcuts, and grouping the order may avoid multiple delivery charges. Compare at least three local quotes for the same TJI 360 depth, length, quantity, connectors, and delivery terms; a different series should not be substituted without approval.
Keep the floor plan and openings stable after ordering, since layout changes can leave unused lengths or trigger rush purchases. Avoid buying extra material without checking the supplier’s return policy, because custom lengths may not be returnable. The safest savings usually come from reducing waste and comparing equivalent quotes, not selecting a smaller joist or wider spacing without engineering review.