Treated Wood Price Trends: BLS PPI Data for Decks, Sill Plates, and Site Work Bids
Estimators pricing treated lumber for mudsills, exterior decks, grounds equipment framing, and site screening face distinct procurement challenges. Pressure-treated products require chemical preservation processing, tying their cost structure to both timber markets and preservative processing capacity. Tracking federal commodity indexes provides baseline data when evaluating quotes and establishing price adjustment provisions.
Scenario Walk-Through: Framing Estimator Setting Up a Treated Wood Bid
Consider a hypothetical framing estimator assembling a commercial bid package that includes exterior treated boardwalk decks, ground-contact landscape enclosures, and structural sill plates. The trade contractor must submit a firm proposal for work scheduled several months out. Instead of assuming material stability, the estimator turns to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics PPI commodity data series WPU0871, titled Lumber and wood products-Treated wood and contract wood preserving.
In this hypothetical walk-through, the estimator pulls the latest monthly figure of 273.8 for September 2026. Because federal commodity values are not seasonally adjusted, and recent months are preliminary and subject to revision for four months, the estimator notes that recent data can shift. To determine whether local vendor quotes reflect broader producer shifts, the estimator contrasts the September 2026 index of 273.8 with the September 2025 level of 263.5, recognizing a 12-month increase of +3.9% across the commodity category.
Evaluating Five-Year and Pre-Pandemic Benchmarks
To establish risk parameters for extended schedules, the hypothetical estimator reviews multi-year historical shifts. The treated wood series uses a base period of June 1985 = 100. Over long horizons, the producer pricing profile reveals substantial movement:
- September 2026 vs. September 2025: The index shifted from 263.5 to 273.8, representing an increase of +3.9%.
- September 2026 vs. September 2024: Two years prior, the index stood at 279.5, indicating a change of -2.0% to the latest reading.
- September 2026 vs. September 2021: Five years earlier, the index stood at 229.2, showing a five-year escalation of +19.5%.
- September 2026 vs. January 2020: Prior to pandemic disruptions, the pre-pandemic index in January 2020 registered 211.8, placing current levels +29.3% higher.
- Historical High and Low Range: Between January 2017 and September 2026, the lowest monthly value was 196.0 in July 2017, while the highest monthly value reached 311.2 in March 2022. The latest level is -12.0% below that peak.
These long-term movements show that while treated wood has declined from its peak of 311.2, it remains well above its pre-pandemic mark of 211.8. Estimators can compare these trends against general framing lumber movements detailed in Softwood Lumber PPI Trends for Estimators: 2026 Data & Escalation.
Summary of Key Treated Wood PPI Benchmarks
The table below summarizes the key data points from the federal commodity series, providing baseline figures for subcontractor estimates and supplier negotiations.
| Time Period | Index Value | Change Relative to September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 (Latest) | 273.8 | N/A |
| September 2025 (One Year Earlier) | 263.5 | +3.9% |
| September 2024 (Two Years Earlier) | 279.5 | -2.0% |
| September 2021 (Five Years Earlier) | 229.2 | +19.5% |
| January 2020 (Pre-Pandemic) | 211.8 | +29.3% |
| March 2022 (Window Peak) | 311.2 | -12.0% |
| July 2017 (Window Low) | 196.0 | N/A |
Tracking the Recent Thirteen-Month Price Trajectory
In our hypothetical bid preparation, the estimator examines short-term trends to detect recent momentum. The annual average index sat at 200.7 in 2017, rose to 213.3 in 2018, leveled to 211.6 in 2019, and advanced to 233.2 in 2020. It climbed further to 255.1 in 2021, reached 282.6 in 2022, settled at 280.3 in 2023, moved to 280.6 in 2024, and dropped to 267.5 in 2025. For 2026, the average through September stands at 270.0.
Monthly movements across the last 13 months highlight steady increases through mid-2026 before easing slightly:
- September 2025: 263.5
- October 2025: 263.8
- November 2025: 264.2
- December 2025: 263.7
- January 2026: 265.3
- February 2026: 265.1
- March 2026: 265.3
- April 2026: 269.3
- May 2026: 268.4
- June 2026: 272.6
- July 2026: 274.7
- August 2026: 275.3
- September 2026: 273.8
From August 2026 to September 2026, the monthly index moved down by -0.5%. Tracking these shifts helps the estimator identify whether supplier price holds should carry short validity windows or contingency allowances.
Establishing Bid Protections and Threshold Guidelines
When proposals involve substantial sill plate framing or exterior decking installations delivered over future quarters, estimators frequently address material exposure in prime contracts. Using an objective benchmark published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides clear reference points for both prime contractors and subcontractors. When pricing jobs subject to lumber fluctuations, estimators can consult Price Escalation Clauses: How to Protect Your Bid From Material Price Swings to establish structured baseline mechanisms.
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Series WPU0871, Treated wood and contract wood preserving
Published October 31, 2026. No affiliate links on this page. Facts come from the sources linked above; check them for updates.