How to Estimate Material Cost

The cost is the volume

Lumber is priced per unit volume (m³ or board foot). Estimate the volume of every part, add waste, and multiply by the price:

Volume = length × width × thickness (in metres)
Part cost = volume × price per m³
Project cost = Σ part costs × (1 + waste%)

Worked example

A table needs 8 top boards of 1800 × 110 × 28 mm in oak at 850 €/m³:

Volume per board = 1.8 × 0.11 × 0.028 = 0.00554 m³
Total volume = 0.00554 × 8 = 0.044 m³
Wood cost = 0.044 × 850 ≈ 37 €

Don't forget the rest

Material cost is only part of the budget. Typical extras:

• 5–15% waste on panels
• Hardware: hinges, slides, handles, screws
• Finish: varnish, oil, sandpaper
• Blades and consumables

Board feet pricing

In North America, quotes come in $/board foot:

Board feet = (length ft × width in × thickness in) / 12
Cost = board feet × price per bd ft

Convert everything to one unit before comparing quotes. Use the wood volume calculator and wood cutting calculator to size and cost your cut list.