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
30
years lifespan
Sustainability
4/5
Good
Category: Lumber
Range: $6.00 – $12.00/board foot
Waste Factor: 10%
Avg Project: $5,500
Quick answer: Cedar Lumber cost in 2026
Cedar Lumber costs about $8.50 per board foot (typical range $6.00–$12.00) plus roughly $2.50 per board foot for installation labor, or about $11.00 per board foot installed. Order 10% extra for waste: 500 board foots becomes 550 board foots, about $4,675 in material and $5,925 installed. HammerIO planning estimates, a national baseline adjusted by regional factors on city and state pages.
Labor is priced by carpenters: the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage is $29.12/hr nationally, $35.72 in New York and $23.44 in Dallas. Last reviewed .
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.
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.
Computed from this page's planning figures: material = quantity × (1 + 10% waste) × unit price; labor = quantity × $2.50 per board foot. Delivery, fasteners, adhesives, rental tools and permits are extra.
Quantity needed
Order (+10% waste)
Material (low – typical – high)
Labor allowance
Installed (typical)
100 board foots
111 board foots
$666 – $944 – $1,332
$250
$1,194
500 board foots
550 board foots
$3,300 – $4,675 – $6,600
$1,250
$5,925
1,000 board foots
1,100 board foots
$6,600 – $9,350 – $13,200
$2,500
$11,850
HammerIO planning estimates (national baseline adjusted by regional factors). Verify permit requirements with your local building department.
Who Installs Cedar Lumber: Carpenters Wages in the 10 Largest Metros
The $2.50 per board foot labor allowance is a national figure. To localize it, compare your metro's median wage for carpenters with the U.S. median below and scale the allowance by the same ratio.
Carpenters: median hourly wage, 10 largest U.S. metros vs. national (BLS OEWS May 2025)
Metro area
Median wage
vs. U.S. median
United States
$29.12/hr
baseline
New York, NY-NJ
$35.72/hr
+23%
Los Angeles, CA
$36.41/hr
+25%
Chicago, IL-IN
$38.68/hr
+33%
Dallas, TX
$23.44/hr
-20%
Houston, TX
$23.88/hr
-18%
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
$29.23/hr
at U.S. median
Miami, FL
$24.79/hr
-15%
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD
$29.70/hr
+2%
Atlanta, GA
$24.37/hr
-16%
Phoenix, AZ
$29.00/hr
at U.S. median
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), median hourly wages. These are employee wages, not contractor billing rates, a contractor's quoted hourly rate adds overhead, insurance, equipment and profit on top of the wage. “, ” means BLS did not publish a metro estimate for that occupation. Occupation: Carpenters (SOC 47-2031).
Chicago, IL-IN carpenters earn a median $38.68/hr (+33% vs. the $29.12 U.S. median) while Dallas, TX is $23.44/hr (-20%). For a 500-board foot job that moves the $1,250 national labor allowance to roughly $1,006 in Dallas, TX and $1,660 in Chicago, IL-IN, before contractor overhead and profit. See the state construction cost pages for statewide figures.
Methodology & Data Sources: Cedar Lumber Cost Data
How we calculate Cedar Lumber costs: Our pricing model combines the HammerIO material database (planning estimates, a national baseline adjusted by regional factors on city and state pages), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2025 trade wages for the labor allowance, 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): HammerIO planning estimate based on typical manufacturer warranty periods and expected service life for the material class under normal residential use.
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 Rowan Ashby · Last updated September 17, 2026 · Pricing sourced from the HammerIO 2026 material database (planning estimates), BLS OEWS May 2025 trade wages, public agency guidance, and contractor takeoff assumptions
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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.
How much does 500 board foots of cedar lumber cost installed?
Ordering 500 board foots with the 10% waste factor means buying 550 board foots: about $4,675 in material at the $8.50 planning price (range $3,300–$6,600), plus roughly $1,250 in installation labor at the $2.50 per board foot allowance, about $5,925 total before delivery, fasteners, adhesives and permits. These are HammerIO planning estimates (national baseline); regional factors and supplier quotes move the final number.
Who installs cedar lumber and what do they earn per hour in 2026?
Cedar Lumber is typically installed by carpenters. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, May 2025) reports a national median wage of $29.12 per hour for Carpenters, ranging from $23.44 in Dallas, TX to $38.68 in Chicago, IL-IN among the ten largest metros. Contractor billing rates run higher than the wage because they include overhead, insurance, equipment and profit, so use the metro-to-national ratio, not the wage itself, to adjust the labor allowance on this page.