Redwood decking boards offer unmatched natural beauty with a warm reddish tone that ages to a silvery grey. The heartwood is naturally resistant to decay and insects, requiring no chemical treatment for above-ground use.
Unit Price
$9.50
per board foot
Labor Cost
$3.50
per board foot
Durability
30
years lifespan
Sustainability
3/5
Average
Category: Lumber
Range: $7.00 – $14.00/board foot
Waste Factor: 10%
Avg Project: $8,500
Quick answer: Redwood Decking cost in 2026
Redwood Decking costs about $9.50 per board foot (typical range $7.00–$14.00) plus roughly $3.50 per board foot for installation labor, or about $13.00 per board foot installed. Order 10% extra for waste: 500 board foots becomes 550 board foots, about $5,225 in material and $6,975 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 Redwood Decking Cost Before You Order or Compare Bids
Step 1
Price Redwood Decking by the right unit
Start with the measured quantity in board foots, then compare the current unit range of $7.00 to $14.00 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 Redwood Decking Without Missing Hidden Costs
Redwood Decking should be budgeted as a complete installed assembly, not only as a commodity unit price. Quantity, waste, labor, local supply, code requirements, and the accessories needed for installation drive the final project cost.
$1,443
sample total for 111 board foots
Price drivers
+Unit price ranges from $7.00 to $14.00 per board foot, with $9.50 as the national midpoint used in this calculator.
+Labor is modeled at $3.50 per board foot, but local contractor rates and project access can move that number sharply.
+The default 10% waste factor covers typical cuts and field losses; complex layouts need a larger buffer.
Ordering checks
+Measure the installed quantity in board foots before adding waste or accessories.
+Confirm grade, thickness, profile, warranty, and code requirements before comparing quotes.
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
Outdoor seating
Patio flooring
Pool surrounds
Material Details
Average Project Cost
$8,500
Typical project using this material
Sustainability Rating
Average, moderate environmental impact
Waste Factor
10%
Order 10% extra to account for cuts, breakage, and fitting
Redwood Decking: Complete Buying Guide 2026
Redwood decking boards offer unmatched natural beauty with a warm reddish tone that ages to a silvery grey. The heartwood is naturally resistant to decay and insects, requiring no chemical treatment for above-ground use. In 2026, redwood decking prices average $9.50 per board foot, with a typical range of $7.00 to $14.00 depending on your region, supplier relationships, and order quantity.
When budgeting for a project using redwood decking, factor in approximately 10% additional material for waste, plus labor costs averaging $3.50 per board foot for professional installation. A typical project using this material runs approximately $8,500 including both materials and labor.
With an expected lifespan of 30 years, redwood decking represents a cost of approximately $0.32 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 redwood decking depends on accessory materials, waste, job access, minimum order size, delivery, regional labor rates, and whether the project needs permit or code-driven upgrades. This page combines the HammerIO material database with 2026 cost modeling, contractor takeoff assumptions, and public construction cost references.
Computed from this page's planning figures: material = quantity × (1 + 10% waste) × unit price; labor = quantity × $3.50 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
$777 – $1,055 – $1,554
$350
$1,405
500 board foots
550 board foots
$3,850 – $5,225 – $7,700
$1,750
$6,975
1,000 board foots
1,100 board foots
$7,700 – $10,450 – $15,400
$3,500
$13,950
HammerIO planning estimates (national baseline adjusted by regional factors). Verify permit requirements with your local building department.
Who Installs Redwood Decking: Carpenters Wages in the 10 Largest Metros
The $3.50 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 $1,750 national labor allowance to roughly $1,409 in Dallas, TX and $2,325 in Chicago, IL-IN, before contractor overhead and profit. See the state construction cost pages for statewide figures.
Methodology & Data Sources: Redwood Decking Cost Data
How we calculate Redwood Decking 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 ($9.50/board foot): National midpoint estimate for mid-market grade materials sourced through standard supply channels.
Average project cost ($8,500): 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 (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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Redwood Decking costs an average of $9.50 per board foot in 2026. Prices range from $7.00 to $14.00 per board foot depending on your location, supplier, and quantity purchased. A typical project using redwood decking costs approximately $8,500.
How long does redwood decking last?
Redwood Decking 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 redwood decking used for?
Redwood Decking is commonly used for Deck surfaces, Outdoor seating, Patio flooring, Pool surrounds. It falls in the Lumber category of construction materials. Redwood decking boards offer unmatched natural beauty with a warm reddish tone that ages to a silvery grey. The heartwood is naturally resistant to decay and insects, requiring no chemical treatment for above-ground use.
How much waste should I plan for with redwood decking?
Plan for approximately 10% waste when ordering redwood decking. 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 redwood decking?
Common alternatives to Redwood Decking include Composite Decking, Cedar Lumber, Ipe Hardwood. Each alternative offers different trade-offs in terms of cost, durability, and performance. Composite Decking costs $8.00 per sq ft and lasts approximately 30 years.
Is redwood decking sustainable?
Redwood Decking 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 redwood decking cost installed?
Ordering 500 board foots with the 10% waste factor means buying 550 board foots: about $5,225 in material at the $9.50 planning price (range $3,850–$7,700), plus roughly $1,750 in installation labor at the $3.50 per board foot allowance, about $6,975 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 redwood decking and what do they earn per hour in 2026?
Redwood Decking 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.