Cedar Lumber Cost & Calculator

Name: Cedar Lumber 2026 material cost dataset entry
Creator: HammerIO
License: https://hammerio.com/terms/

Cedar is a naturally rot-resistant softwood prized for its beauty, workability, and durability outdoors without chemical treatment. Its natural oils repel insects and prevent decay.

Unit Price

$8.50

per board foot

Labor Cost

$2.50

per board foot

Durability

years lifespan

Sustainability

4/5

Good

Category: Lumber

Range: $6.00 – $12.00/board foot

Waste Factor: 10%

Avg Project: $5,500

Material estimate workflow

Estimate Cedar Lumber Cost Before You Order or Compare Bids

Step 1

Price Cedar Lumber by the right unit

Start with the measured quantity in board foots, then compare the current unit range of $6.00 to $12.00 per board foot.

Step 2

Add waste, labor, and install accessories

Apply the default 10% waste factor, then include labor, fasteners, trim, adhesives, delivery, rental tools, and other project-specific accessories.

Step 3

Use the result to check written bids

Compare the calculator result against supplier units and contractor line items, then verify code, permit, and site-condition assumptions before ordering.

Contractor Takeoff Notes

How to Budget Cedar Lumber Without Missing Hidden Costs

Cedar lumber earns comparison traffic because buyers weigh natural rot resistance, appearance, maintenance, and price against pressure-treated pine, redwood, composite decking, and vinyl alternatives.

$1,221

sample total for 111 board foots

Price drivers

+Clear vertical-grain cedar costs far more than knotty boards used for fences and utility projects.
+Board thickness, surfaced sides, profile, length, and local Western Red Cedar availability change the price per board foot.
+Exterior projects need stain, sealant, stainless or coated fasteners, and periodic maintenance in the full budget.

Ordering checks

+Convert project dimensions to board feet, then add waste for knots, end checks, cuts, and color sorting.
+Separate appearance-grade surfaces from hidden framing; cedar is rarely the economical structural choice.
+Use compatible fasteners to avoid staining and premature corrosion outdoors.

Quote risks

!Unsealed cedar weathers to gray and can cup or check if boards are too wet or fastened incorrectly.
!For ground contact or high-moisture framing, pressure-treated lumber may be more appropriate than cedar.

Best next estimators for this material

Lumber CalculatorConvert dimensions into board feet and lumber cost.Fence CalculatorEstimate pickets, rails, posts, concrete, and fence cost.Deck CalculatorEstimate deck framing, surface boards, fasteners, and waste.

Cedar Lumber Cost Calculator

Quantity Needed: 100 board foots

1 board foot1,000 board foots

Options

Include 10% waste factor (+10 board foots)Include labor ($2.50/board foot)

Order quantity: 111 board foots (100 + 10% waste)

Material Cost

$944

incl. $94 waste buffer

Labor Cost

$278

Total Estimated Cost

$1,221

Based on 111 board foots at $8.50/board foot + $2.50/board foot labor. Actual costs vary by location and supplier.

Specifications

SpeciesWestern Red Cedar

Natural OilsThujaplicin (rot-resistant)

Density~23 lbs/cu ft

R-Value per inch1.35

Price Comparison with Alternatives

Material	Price	Durability	Sustainability	Cost/Year
Cedar Lumber (current)	$8.50/board foot	30 yrs	4/5	$0.28
Pressure-Treated Lumber	$5.50/board foot	25 yrs	3/5	$0.22
Redwood Lumber	$12.00/board foot	35 yrs	3/5	$0.34
Composite Decking	$8.00/sq ft	30 yrs	4/5	$0.27

Cost/Year = unit price divided by expected lifespan. Lower cost/year indicates better long-term value. Note: units may differ between materials.

Best Uses

Deck surfaces
Fencing
Siding
Outdoor furniture

Material Details

Average Project Cost

$5,500

Typical project using this material

Sustainability Rating

Good — eco-friendly choice

Waste Factor

10%

Order 10% extra to account for cuts, breakage, and fitting

Cedar Lumber: Complete Buying Guide 2026

Cedar is a naturally rot-resistant softwood prized for its beauty, workability, and durability outdoors without chemical treatment. Its natural oils repel insects and prevent decay. In 2026, cedar lumber prices average $8.50 per board foot, with a typical range of $6.00 to $12.00 depending on your region, supplier relationships, and order quantity.

When budgeting for a project using cedar lumber, factor in approximately 10% additional material for waste, plus labor costs averaging $2.50 per board foot for professional installation. A typical project using this material runs approximately $5,500 including both materials and labor.

With an expected lifespan of 30 years, cedar lumber represents a cost of approximately $0.28 per board foot per year of service life. This solid lifespan provides good value for most residential and commercial applications.

For searchers comparing bids, the key number is not only the shelf price. The installed cost for cedar lumber depends on accessory materials, waste, job access, minimum order size, delivery, regional labor rates, and whether the project needs permit or code-driven upgrades. Cedar ranges reflect board-foot pricing, retail outdoor lumber lines, and 2026 carpentry labor allowances.

More Lumber Materials

Southern Yellow Pine

$4.20/board foot

15 yrs lifespan • Sustainability: 4/5

Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF)

$3.80/board foot

15 yrs lifespan • Sustainability: 4/5

LVL Beam (Laminated Veneer Lumber)

$14.00/linear foot

50 yrs lifespan • Sustainability: 4/5

Methodology & Data Sources — Cedar Lumber Cost Data

How we calculate Cedar Lumber costs: Our pricing model combines the HammerIO material database, RSMeans-style construction assemblies, EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchasing guidance for sustainability ratings, DOE Building Technologies Office benchmarks for energy-related materials, and contractor takeoff assumptions. Unit prices are reviewed quarterly and cross-checked against common supplier ranges where available.

Unit price ($8.50/board foot): National midpoint estimate for mid-market grade materials sourced through standard supply channels.
Average project cost ($5,500): Derived from material quantity, labor allowance, waste, and typical residential/light commercial installation assumptions.
Waste factor (10%): Per NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) construction waste estimation guidelines, accounting for cuts, breakage, and field adjustments.
Durability (30 years): Lifespan estimates sourced from HUD Residential Rehabilitation Inspection Guide and manufacturer warranty data aggregated by DOE ORNL.
Sustainability rating (4/5): Composite score from EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchasing criteria, including embodied carbon, recyclability, and VOC emissions per LEED v4.1 thresholds.

Disclaimer: Construction material prices vary significantly by region, supplier, project volume, and market conditions. The figures shown represent national averages and should be used for budgeting and comparison purposes only. Always obtain local contractor quotes before committing to a project budget.

Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated May 31, 2026 · Pricing sourced from the HammerIO 2026 material database, RSMeans-style assemblies, public agency guidance, and contractor takeoff assumptions

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does cedar lumber cost in 2026?

Cedar Lumber costs an average of $8.50 per board foot in 2026. Prices range from $6.00 to $12.00 per board foot depending on your location, supplier, and quantity purchased. A typical project using cedar lumber costs approximately $5,500.

How long does cedar lumber last?

Cedar Lumber has an expected lifespan of approximately 30 years when properly installed and maintained. Actual durability depends on climate exposure, installation quality, and maintenance practices. This provides good long-term value for most residential applications.

What is cedar lumber used for?

Cedar Lumber is commonly used for Deck surfaces, Fencing, Siding, Outdoor furniture. It falls in the Lumber category of construction materials. Cedar is a naturally rot-resistant softwood prized for its beauty, workability, and durability outdoors without chemical treatment. Its natural oils repel insects and prevent decay.

How much waste should I plan for with cedar lumber?

Plan for approximately 10% waste when ordering cedar lumber. For a project requiring 100 board foots of material, you should order 111 board foots to account for cuts, breakage, and fitting. Waste factors vary by project complexity and installer experience.

What are alternatives to cedar lumber?

Common alternatives to Cedar Lumber include Pressure-Treated Lumber, Redwood Lumber, Composite Decking. Each alternative offers different trade-offs in terms of cost, durability, and performance. Pressure-Treated Lumber costs $5.50 per board foot and lasts approximately 25 years.

Is cedar lumber sustainable?

Cedar Lumber has a sustainability rating of 4 out of 5 (Good). This material is considered an environmentally responsible choice due to its recyclability, renewable sourcing, or minimal environmental impact.