Timber Prices GuideWhat Does Wood Cost?
A comprehensive guide to timber pricing in the UK — from structural framing to hardwood boards — so you can budget accurately for your next building project.
Quick Answer
A standard C16 47×100×2400mm stud costs £3 to £6 at retail builders' merchants. Structural timber (C16/C24) averages £300 to £500 per cubic metre wholesale. Hardwood timber ranges from £20 to £100+ per cubic metre depending on species. Plywood runs £15 to £60 per 2440×1220mm sheet depending on thickness and grade. Prices fluctuate with market conditions, so always get current quotes from your supplier before ordering for a project.
Timber Prices by Species
Wood species is the single biggest factor in timber pricing. Here is what common species cost in the current market:
Softwood structural timber — spruce, pine, and imported whitewood — is the most affordable option and the backbone of residential construction. A 47×100×2400mm C16 stud costs £3 to £6 retail, while longer timbers like 47×225×3600mm run £12 to £25 each. Douglas fir, used for heavy structural applications, commands a 20–40% premium over standard whitewood. Treated softwood, required for ground contact and external use, costs 30–50% more than untreated. Western red cedar, prized for its natural durability and beauty, costs £8 to £15 per metre for 25×150mm cladding or fencing grade.
Domestic and European hardwoods span a wide price range. European oak, the most commonly used hardwood for joinery, beams, and furniture, costs £40 to £80 per cubic foot (sawn). Ash runs £25 to £50 per cubic foot. Beech costs £25 to £45 per cubic foot. Elm, where available, costs £30 to £60 per cubic foot. American walnut — a premium import — runs £60 to £120 per cubic foot depending on width and grade. These prices assume sawn or PAR (planed all round) boards from a hardwood specialist like Interesting Timbers, Timbmet, or Arnold Laver.
Exotic and tropical species sit at the top of the price scale. Iroko, a popular alternative to teak for outdoor use, costs £50 to £80 per cubic foot. Sapele, widely used for doors and window frames, runs £40 to £70 per cubic foot. Genuine teak, used for garden furniture and marine applications, costs £80 to £150 per cubic foot. Accoya (modified radiata pine with 50-year durability guarantee) costs £40 to £60 per linear metre for decking profiles. Import duties, shipping costs, and sustainability certifications (FSC, PEFC) all affect tropical timber pricing.
Structural Timber vs Engineered Wood
Modern construction increasingly uses engineered wood products alongside traditional sawn timber. Understanding the cost differences helps you choose the right product for each application:
- Structural timber (C16/C24 graded sawn softwood in sizes like 47×100, 47×150, 47×225) is the default choice for wall framing, roof framing, and short-span floor joists. It is the cheapest option per linear metre for spans under 5 metres.
- Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beams cost £8 to £15 per linear metre for a 45×200mm beam — roughly 3 to 5 times the cost of a comparable solid timber. LVLs are used for lintels, ridge beams, and long spans where solid timber would require oversized sections.
- I-joists (such as Posi-Joist, JJI) cost £4 to £8 per linear metre depending on depth and specification. They replace solid 47×225 and 47×300 floor joists for spans over 4 metres, offering lighter weight, no crowning issues, and pre-punched knockouts for services.
- Glulam beams cost £15 to £35 per linear metre depending on size. They are used for exposed structural beams, long-span openings, and custom architectural elements. Available from suppliers such as Boise Cascade and Finnforest.
- SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) cost £60 to £120 per square metre and combine structure and insulation in a single panel system. Increasingly popular for energy-efficient new builds under Part L of the Building Regulations.
For most residential framing, structural sawn timber remains the most cost-effective choice. Engineered wood products make economic sense when you need longer spans, heavier loads, or more predictable performance than sawn timber can provide.
Understanding Timber Grades and Their Impact on Price
Timber grade directly affects price — higher grades cost more because they have fewer defects and more consistent structural properties:
- C16 grade — The standard structural grade for most residential construction in the UK. Suitable for studs, joists, rafters, and general framing. This is what most builders' merchants stock as their default framing timber.
- C24 grade — A higher-strength grade with fewer knots and better structural properties than C16. Used when structural calculations require higher allowable stresses. Costs 10–20% more than C16 and is readily available from merchants like Jewson and Travis Perkins.
- TR26 grade — A specialist truss grade with controlled properties for manufactured roof trusses. Usually only available through truss manufacturers.
- GS (General Structural) and SS (Special Structural) — Older grading designations still encountered on some projects. GS is roughly equivalent to C16; SS is roughly equivalent to C24.
- Appearance grades (joinery grade, clear grade) — Used for finish carpentry, skirtings, architraves, and exposed applications where looks matter. Priced 50–100% above structural grades.
- D40, D50, D60 (Hardwood grades) — Strength grades for hardwoods per BS EN 338. The higher the number, the stronger and more expensive the timber.
For framing, C16 grade is the standard and most economical choice. Only specify C24 or higher when structural calculations demand it — you will pay significantly more for marginal improvements in strength.
Timber Price Trends and Forecasting
Timber prices are notoriously volatile, and understanding the market cycle helps you time your purchases:
UK timber prices surged dramatically during 2020–2021, driven by pandemic-fuelled demand, supply chain disruptions, and reduced imports from Scandinavia and the Baltic states. Structural timber prices more than doubled before stabilising through 2022–2024. A standard 47×100×2400 that cost £8–£10 at the peak can now be found for £3–£5. These dramatic swings underscore the importance of getting current prices rather than relying on historical estimates.
Seasonal patterns are predictable: timber prices typically peak in spring and early summer (March through June) when building season drives demand, and bottom out in late autumn and winter (October through January) when construction slows. Buying framing packages in November or December can save 10–20% compared to May pricing. However, you need dry, covered storage to protect timber purchased months before your project start date.
Long-term factors affecting timber prices include UK housing starts (the primary demand driver), post-Brexit import dynamics, Scandinavian and Baltic supply capacity, environmental regulations on forestry, and exchange rate fluctuations (as most structural softwood is imported). The weak pound has added significant cost to imported timber, particularly from Sweden, Latvia, and Finland.
Where to Buy Timber: Retail vs Trade
Where you buy timber significantly affects your total project cost. Here are the main channels, ranked from most to least expensive per metre:
- DIY stores (B&Q, Wickes, Homebase): Most convenient for small projects and individual lengths. Prices are posted, returns are easy, and stock is immediately available. However, pricing is 15–30% above trade merchants for the same species and grade. Best for: homeowners, small repairs, and projects under £300 in timber.
- National builders' merchants (Jewson, Travis Perkins, Buildbase): Better quality control, wider range of sizes and grades, knowledgeable staff, and trade pricing. Most offer delivery for orders over £250. Expect 10–25% savings over DIY store pricing on comparable materials. Best for: contractors, large DIY projects, and anyone who values quality and range.
- Independent timber merchants and sawmills: The best pricing, typically 20–40% below retail, with expert advice and the ability to cut to size. Some sell direct to the public, especially in rural timber-producing areas. Best for: house framing packages, bespoke joinery, and large orders.
- Online specialists (Timbmet, UK Timber, Timber Online): Best source for hardwoods, sheet materials, and specialist products. Pricing includes delivery surcharges. Best for: hardwood projects, specific species requirements, and those outside easy reach of a good merchant.
- Reclamation yards and salvage dealers: Reclaimed timber (old beams, floorboards, railway sleepers) at variable prices but with character and provenance. Best for: renovation projects, exposed beam features, and period-appropriate repairs.
For projects over £500 in timber cost, always get a quote from at least one trade merchant in addition to checking DIY store prices. The savings on a framing package can easily reach £500 to £2,000.
Bulk Buying and Volume Discounts
Buying timber in volume unlocks significant savings. Here is how bulk pricing works at each level:
- Pack pricing: Structural timber sold by the pack (a banded bundle, typically 6–10 lengths of the same size) costs 10–20% less than individual piece pricing. A pack of 47×100×2400 C16 might cost £25–£40 versus £4–£6 per individual length.
- Framing packages: Many builders' merchants will quote your entire framing material list as a package deal, including studs, plates, lintels, joists, rafters, sheathing, and fixings. Package pricing is typically 15–25% below the sum of individual retail prices. Submit your framing plans and get at least two quotes.
- Trade accounts: Builders who purchase regularly can set up trade accounts with merchants for an additional 5–15% discount below package pricing. Jewson, Travis Perkins, and Buildbase all offer trade account programmes.
- Pallet pricing for sheet materials: Buying a full pallet of plywood (50–60 sheets for 18mm) saves 10–15% over individual sheet pricing. A pallet of 18mm structural plywood at £28/sheet versus £35/sheet saves £350 to £420.
- Seasonal promotions: DIY stores run major timber sales during spring and bank holiday weekends. Watch for 10–15% off structural timber, multi-buy deals on treated timber, and trade pricing events at merchants.
The biggest single savings opportunity is getting a complete framing package quote from a trade merchant. For a typical 140 m² house frame, the difference between retail piece pricing and a merchant package can be £2,500 to £6,000.
Calculate Your Timber Costs
Use our free timber calculators to estimate the exact cost of your project — from framing studs to hardwood boards to plywood sheets.