Redwood is a premium softwood native to California known for its rich color, dimensional stability, and exceptional natural resistance to rot and insects. It is one of the most beautiful outdoor building materials.
Unit Price
$12.00
per board foot
Labor Cost
$3.00
per board foot
Durability
35
years lifespan
Sustainability
3/5
Average
Category: Lumber
Range: $8.00 – $18.00/board foot
Waste Factor: 10%
Avg Project: $7,800
Quick answer: Redwood Lumber cost in 2026
Redwood Lumber costs about $12.00 per board foot (typical range $8.00–$18.00) plus roughly $3.00 per board foot for installation labor, or about $15.00 per board foot installed. Order 10% extra for waste: 500 board foots becomes 550 board foots, about $6,600 in material and $8,100 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 Lumber Cost Before You Order or Compare Bids
Step 1
Price Redwood Lumber by the right unit
Start with the measured quantity in board foots, then compare the current unit range of $8.00 to $18.00 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 Lumber Without Missing Hidden Costs
Redwood Lumber 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.
$1,665
sample total for 111 board foots
Price drivers
+Unit price ranges from $8.00 to $18.00 per board foot, with $12.00 as the national midpoint used in this calculator.
+Labor is modeled at $3.00 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
Premium decking
Pergolas
Garden beds
Exterior trim
Material Details
Average Project Cost
$7,800
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 Lumber: Complete Buying Guide 2026
Redwood is a premium softwood native to California known for its rich color, dimensional stability, and exceptional natural resistance to rot and insects. It is one of the most beautiful outdoor building materials. In 2026, redwood lumber prices average $12.00 per board foot, with a typical range of $8.00 to $18.00 depending on your region, supplier relationships, and order quantity.
When budgeting for a project using redwood lumber, factor in approximately 10% additional material for waste, plus labor costs averaging $3.00 per board foot for professional installation. A typical project using this material runs approximately $7,800 including both materials and labor.
With an expected lifespan of 35 years, redwood lumber represents a cost of approximately $0.34 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 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. 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 × $3.00 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
$888 – $1,332 – $1,998
$300
$1,632
500 board foots
550 board foots
$4,400 – $6,600 – $9,900
$1,500
$8,100
1,000 board foots
1,100 board foots
$8,800 – $13,200 – $19,800
$3,000
$16,200
HammerIO planning estimates (national baseline adjusted by regional factors). Verify permit requirements with your local building department.
Who Installs Redwood Lumber: Carpenters Wages in the 10 Largest Metros
The $3.00 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 $1,500 national labor allowance to roughly $1,207 in Dallas, TX and $1,992 in Chicago, IL-IN, before contractor overhead and profit. See the state construction cost pages for statewide figures.
Methodology & Data Sources: Redwood Lumber Cost Data
How we calculate Redwood 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 ($12.00/board foot): National midpoint estimate for mid-market grade materials sourced through standard supply channels.
Average project cost ($7,800): 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 (35 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 Lumber costs an average of $12.00 per board foot in 2026. Prices range from $8.00 to $18.00 per board foot depending on your location, supplier, and quantity purchased. A typical project using redwood lumber costs approximately $7,800.
How long does redwood lumber last?
Redwood Lumber has an expected lifespan of approximately 35 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 lumber used for?
Redwood Lumber is commonly used for Premium decking, Pergolas, Garden beds, Exterior trim. It falls in the Lumber category of construction materials. Redwood is a premium softwood native to California known for its rich color, dimensional stability, and exceptional natural resistance to rot and insects. It is one of the most beautiful outdoor building materials.
How much waste should I plan for with redwood lumber?
Plan for approximately 10% waste when ordering redwood 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 redwood lumber?
Common alternatives to Redwood Lumber include Cedar Lumber, Composite Decking, Ipe Hardwood. 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 redwood lumber sustainable?
Redwood 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 redwood lumber cost installed?
Ordering 500 board foots with the 10% waste factor means buying 550 board foots: about $6,600 in material at the $12.00 planning price (range $4,400–$9,900), plus roughly $1,500 in installation labor at the $3.00 per board foot allowance, about $8,100 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 lumber and what do they earn per hour in 2026?
Redwood 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.