Timber Price Calculator: Calculate Cost Per Cubic Meter
Timber Cost Calculator
Example Calculation
Need 10 pieces of pine timber, each 2.4m long × 0.2m wide × 0.05m thick, at $350/m³ with 10% waste:
- Volume per piece: 2.4 × 0.2 × 0.05 = 0.024 m³
- Total volume: 0.024 × 10 = 0.24 m³
- With waste: 0.24 × 1.10 = 0.264 m³
- Total cost: 0.264 × 350 = $92.40
How Timber Price Is Calculated
Timber prices are usually quoted per cubic meter (m³). To calculate total cost, multiply the timber volume by the price per cubic meter.
Formula: Total Cost = (Length × Width × Thickness × Quantity × (1 + Waste%)) × Price per m³
Why Use a Timber Price Calculator?
- Avoid overpaying for materials
- Compare timber suppliers easily
- Plan budgets accurately
- Reduce material waste
- Optimize timber usage
- Estimate project costs before starting
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this calculator works for all timber types including softwood, hardwood, structural timber, and treated timber. Simply enter the correct price per cubic meter for your specific timber type. Our timber price guides provide current prices for pine, oak, spruce, treated timber, and other common types to help you get accurate pricing.
Absolutely! This calculator is ideal for estimating timber costs for construction projects of any size. It's perfect for framing, decking, fencing, roofing, and structural applications. Professional builders use similar calculations to create accurate material lists and budgets. Always include a waste factor (typically 10-15%) to account for cutting waste and errors.
The waste factor accounts for cutting waste, defects, and measurement errors. For simple projects, 5-10% is usually sufficient. For complex projects with many cuts and angles, use 10-15%. Professional contractors often use 15% for framing and 10% for straightforward applications. It's better to overestimate slightly than run short on materials mid-project.
While this calculator uses cubic meters (the international standard), you can convert to board feet if needed. One cubic meter equals approximately 424 board feet. For board foot calculations: Volume (board feet) = (Length in feet × Width in inches × Thickness in inches) ÷ 12. Most timber suppliers in metric countries use cubic meters, while some in the US use board feet.
For irregular timber, calculate the average dimensions or break the timber into regular geometric shapes. For tapered timber, use the average width and thickness. For curved timber, approximate with straight sections. When in doubt, round up slightly and include a higher waste factor. Some timber yards can provide volume calculations for irregular pieces.
Conclusion
This timber price calculator helps you quickly estimate timber costs for any project. Accurate calculations save money and reduce waste.