Lumber pricing calculator
The price tag says "$5/BF rough" — but by the time you've paid for surfacing, grade premium and species markup, you're paying $9/BF. This calculator shows the real landed cost per board foot including S2S/S4S/SLR upcharges.
Calculator
Why "rough" doesn't mean "cheap"
Rough lumber is the cheapest per BF at the lumber yard, but you'll spend an hour surfacing it, lose 1/4″ per board to planing, and have to deal with imperfect stock. Surfaced lumber costs more per BF but arrives ready to use. The right answer depends on your shop — if you have a planer/jointer and time, rough wins; if you don't, surfaced is cheaper when you count your time.
Why grade matters more than you think
FAS (Firsts and Seconds) is the top grade: long, wide, clear boards. #2 Common has more knots and shorter pieces; you might need 25% more BF for the same project because of unusable areas. The calculator's grade discount is approximate; real-world loss depends on the project.
The hidden costs
These are not in the calculator:
- Shipping — for online hardwood dealers, $50–100 per order.
- Storage — a board left in a damp garage for a month loses usable volume.
- Waste — defects, snipe, mistakes. Budget 15–25% on top.
- Your time — driving to the lumber yard, picking through the stack, surfacing.
Limitations
- Base prices are 2024–25 US retail averages. Real prices vary by region and supplier.
- Grade discounts are approximate — actual grading is more nuanced.
- Surfacing upcharges vary by supplier; the calculator's are typical.
- Doesn't include hidden costs (shipping, time, waste) listed above.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to buy rough or surfaced?
Rough is cheaper per BF if you have the equipment and time. Surfaced is cheaper per usable piece if you don't. As a hobbyist building one project a month, surfaced usually wins once you count your time.
Walnut at $14/BF feels expensive. Is it worth it?
For one show-piece project you'll see every day, yes. For utility projects that get painted or hidden, no — poplar or maple perform identically at a third of the price.
Can I negotiate with the lumber yard?
Sometimes — most yards have some flexibility on quantity, mixed-species orders, or "pick-of-the-pile" boards. Be polite, be a regular customer, and ask. The worst they can say is no.