Pressure-treated lumber is chemically treated to resist rot, insects, and fungal decay. It is the standard choice for any wood structure in contact with the ground or exposed to moisture.
Unit Price
$5.50
per board foot
Labor Cost
$2.50
per board foot
Durability
25
years lifespan
Sustainability
3/5
Average
Category: Lumber
Range: $3.80 – $8.20/board foot
Waste Factor: 10%
Avg Project: $3,200
Quick answer: Pressure-Treated Lumber cost in 2026
Pressure-Treated Lumber costs about $5.50 per board foot (typical range $3.80–$8.20) plus roughly $2.50 per board foot for installation labor, or about $8.00 per board foot installed. Order 10% extra for waste: 500 board foots becomes 550 board foots, about $3,025 in material and $4,275 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 Pressure-Treated Lumber Cost Before You Order or Compare Bids
Step 1
Price Pressure-Treated Lumber by the right unit
Start with the measured quantity in board foots, then compare the current unit range of $3.80 to $8.20 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 Pressure-Treated Lumber Without Missing Hidden Costs
Pressure-treated lumber searches are usually deck, fence, stair, and ground-contact jobs where grade, treatment category, hardware compatibility, and board shrinkage matter as much as board-foot price.
$888
sample total for 111 board foots
Price drivers
+Ground-contact and structural grades cost more than above-ground treated boards, especially in 4x4, 6x6, and long joist lengths.
+Hot-dip galvanized or stainless fasteners, joist tape, post bases, brackets, and concrete footings add cost beyond lumber.
+Wet treated boards can shrink and twist after installation, so extra sorting and waste can be worth more than the cheapest bundle.
Ordering checks
+Separate posts, beams, joists, decking, blocking, rails, and stair stringers before applying waste.
+Match treatment category to use: above-ground, ground-contact, or critical structural exposure.
+Confirm fastener rating for treated lumber chemistry to avoid corrosion and inspection failures.
Quote risks
!Low deck quotes often omit hardware, ledger flashing, post bases, stairs, railing, and permit corrections.
!Using above-ground material in soil contact can shorten service life and create structural risk.
Pressure-treated lumber is chemically treated to resist rot, insects, and fungal decay. It is the standard choice for any wood structure in contact with the ground or exposed to moisture. In 2026, pressure-treated lumber prices average $5.50 per board foot, with a typical range of $3.80 to $8.20 depending on your region, supplier relationships, and order quantity.
When budgeting for a project using pressure-treated 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 $3,200 including both materials and labor.
With an expected lifespan of 25 years, pressure-treated lumber represents a cost of approximately $0.22 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 pressure-treated 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. Treated-lumber ranges reflect 2026 board-foot prices, exterior framing allowances, and deck/fence takeoff assumptions.
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
$422 – $611 – $910
$250
$861
500 board foots
550 board foots
$2,090 – $3,025 – $4,510
$1,250
$4,275
1,000 board foots
1,100 board foots
$4,180 – $6,050 – $9,020
$2,500
$8,550
HammerIO planning estimates (national baseline adjusted by regional factors). Verify permit requirements with your local building department.
Who Installs Pressure-Treated 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: Pressure-Treated Lumber Cost Data
How we calculate Pressure-Treated 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 ($5.50/board foot): National midpoint estimate for mid-market grade materials sourced through standard supply channels.
Average project cost ($3,200): 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 (25 years): HammerIO planning estimate based on typical manufacturer warranty periods and expected service life for the material class under normal residential use.
Sustainability rating (3/5): 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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How much does pressure-treated lumber cost in 2026?
Pressure-Treated Lumber costs an average of $5.50 per board foot in 2026. Prices range from $3.80 to $8.20 per board foot depending on your location, supplier, and quantity purchased. A typical project using pressure-treated lumber costs approximately $3,200.
How long does pressure-treated lumber last?
Pressure-Treated Lumber has an expected lifespan of approximately 25 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 pressure-treated lumber used for?
Pressure-Treated Lumber is commonly used for Deck framing, Ground-contact structures, Outdoor fencing, Retaining walls. It falls in the Lumber category of construction materials. Pressure-treated lumber is chemically treated to resist rot, insects, and fungal decay. It is the standard choice for any wood structure in contact with the ground or exposed to moisture.
How much waste should I plan for with pressure-treated lumber?
Plan for approximately 10% waste when ordering pressure-treated 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 pressure-treated lumber?
Common alternatives to Pressure-Treated Lumber include Cedar Lumber, Composite Decking, Redwood Lumber. Each alternative offers different trade-offs in terms of cost, durability, and performance. Cedar Lumber costs $8.50 per board foot and lasts approximately 30 years.
Is pressure-treated lumber sustainable?
Pressure-Treated Lumber has a sustainability rating of 3 out of 5 (Average). This material has an average environmental impact. Consider locally sourced options when available to reduce transportation-related emissions.
How much does 500 board foots of pressure-treated lumber cost installed?
Ordering 500 board foots with the 10% waste factor means buying 550 board foots: about $3,025 in material at the $5.50 planning price (range $2,090–$4,510), plus roughly $1,250 in installation labor at the $2.50 per board foot allowance, about $4,275 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 pressure-treated lumber and what do they earn per hour in 2026?
Pressure-Treated 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.