Cost and Price Guide for 5/8 Tongue and Groove Plywood 2026

Buyers often pay for 5/8 inch tongue and groove plywood by sheet, with price driven by grade, core type, and finish. This guide explains typical cost ranges in USD, including per-sheet and per-project estimates, to help budget planning and quote comparisons for U.S. projects.

Item	Low	Average	High	Notes
5/8″ Tongue & Groove Plywood (4×8 sheet)	$40	$60	$90	Common exterior or interior panel grades; plywood core varies
Labor and Installation (per sheet)	$20	$40	$60	Includes handling and basic fastening
Delivery/Haul-Away (per load)	$15	$40	$100	Distance dependent
Total Project, 1000 sq ft Subfloor (est.)	$2,120	$3,400	$5,400	Assumes 20 sheets + labor

Assumptions: Midwest labor rates, standard A-B grade plywood, typical access, and normal site conditions.

Pricing Outlook by Sheet Size and Grade

For 5/8″ tongue and groove plywood, a typical 4×8 sheet ranges from $40 to $90. Prices vary with grade (A, B, C, or utility), core (fir, birch, or hardwood face), and exterior exposure requirements. A conservative common setup uses interior-grade or utility-grade panels around $50-$70 per sheet, with higher quality or exterior-rated panels reaching $75-$90.

Sheet count depends on project scope: a 1,000 sq ft subfloor usually requires about 20 sheets of 4×8 plywood. Per-sheet costs accumulate into a clear project total when installation labor is included.

Major Cost Components in a 5/8 Inch Tongue and Groove Plywood Quote

Breaking down the quote helps identify where savings come from. The typical components include Materials, Labor, Delivery/Disposal, and Optional Fasteners or Adhesives. See the table for a compact view of common ranges.

Component	Low	Average	High	Notes
Materials	$40	$60	$90	4×8 sheets; varies by grade and core
Labor	$20	$40	$60	Installation per sheet
Delivery/Disposal	$15	$40	$100	Distance dependent
Fasteners/Adhesives	$2	$6	$12	Decking or subfloor use
Overhead/Contingency	$8	$12	$25	Regional pricing buffers

Assumptions: standard access, mid-range labor, and typical material mix.

Strong Variables That Change the Final Quote

Thickness consistency, exposure rating, and panel grade are the top drivers. In most markets, a 5/8″ T&G with interior residential exposure will price lower than a water-exposure rated exterior grade. A 4×8 sheet with A-grade face plywood costs more than C-grade or utility-grade panels. Other numeric drivers include run length to cover large areas, and the number of extensions or cutouts required, which can push labor hours per sheet higher as complexity increases.

Regional wage differences can shift labor by 15-25% between Northeast and Midwest. For projects with minimal waste and tight layouts, expect the per-sheet labor to be at the lower end of the range; expansive or intricate cuts can push labor toward the high end.

Regional Differences in 5/8 T&G Plywood Costs

Location matters for both material availability and freight. In the U.S., West Coast markets often see higher material premiums and freight surcharges compared with the Midwest or South. East Coast pricing can reflect regional demand for exterior-rated T&G panels. Per-sheet material cost can swing by roughly $5-$20 regionally, while delivery charges vary by distance and carrier.

For jobs near ports or timber-producing regions, you may see modest savings on material if local mills supply the panels. Conversely, remote rural areas can incur higher delivery fees that lift overall project cost.

Labor Time Impacts on 5/8 Inch Tongue and Groove Plywood

Installation time per sheet drives total project cost just as much as the sheet price. Typical installation ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 hours per sheet depending on access, alignment requirements, and finishing needs. A minimal crew of two might install faster than a crew of one using mechanical tools. If subfloor leveling or fastener substitution is required, expect additional hours and higher labor costs.

Budgeting guidance: assume 20 sheets for 1,000 sq ft of subfloor, with 1.0–1.25 hours per sheet for a straightforward layout. More complex layouts or limited access can push time toward 2 hours per sheet.

Ways to Reduce 5/8 Inch Tongue and Groove Plywood Costs

Scope control and material choices are practical levers to lower total price. Consider opting for utility-grade panels with acceptable tolerances instead of premium A-grade for non-visibility installations. Scheduling mid-week deliveries, batching material purchases, and reducing waste through precise layout can trim both material and labor costs. Where possible, reuse cut pieces for short joins to minimize waste. Bundling delivery with multiple jobs also reduces per-load charges.

Careful site preparation, such as clean access and staged unloading, reduces handling time and reduces the risk of damaged sheets that would require replacements.

Per-Unit and Per-Sheet Details for Most Jobs

Understanding per-unit costs helps compare quotes side by side. A standard metric is price per sheet (4×8). When combined with labor, some contractors present a per-square-foot figure for subfloor installs. For 1,000 sq ft, expect around 2.12–3.40 per sq ft in material+labor terms if priced per square foot, translating to $2,120–$3,400 total. Per-sheet pricing remains the clearest baseline for quick budget checks.

Typical per-sheet range you’ll see in bids: $40–$90 for material, plus $20–$60 for labor, then delivery and extras. The final price should reflect project scope and regional cost differences.

Common Scenarios: Subflooring vs Ceiling Applications

The application context changes both cost and required panel spec. Subfloor uses heavier wear ratings and may require exterior-grade or moisture-resistant panels, which raise material cost by roughly $5–$20 per sheet compared with interior-only uses. Ceiling applications often permit lighter-duty panels, reducing material cost but potentially increasing labor if precise alignment is needed for acoustic or aesthetic reasons. In both cases, ensure proper fasteners, seam sealing, and finish choices are included in estimates.

Keep in mind that moisture exposure, such as in basements or bathrooms, often necessitates a higher-grade panel with better dimensional stability, which raises the price but can prevent long-term damage and replacement costs.

Real-World Quote Scenarios

Concrete quotes help set expectations for your project. Scenario A involves 1,000 sq ft of subfloor with 20 sheets of 4×8 T&G at a mid-range A/B grade, interior exposure, standard fasteners, and local delivery: material $1,000–$1,400, labor $800–$1,000, delivery $40–$100, total $1,840–$2,520. Scenario B uses exterior-rated panels for a covered porch with higher moisture exposure and higher grade sheets: material $1,200–$1,800, labor $1,000–$1,400, delivery $60–$150, total $2,260–$3,350. Scenario C is a ceiling retrofit with low-profile panels and simple layout: material $600–$900, labor $500–$900, delivery $20–$60, total $1,120–$1,860.

Figures above are illustrative ranges. Actual bids depend on grade, region, and job scope.

Delivery, Disposal, and Accessories

Delivery charges and fastener kits can noticeably shift totals. Typical delivery runs $15–$40 per sheet for nearby markets; long-haul deliveries can exceed $100 per drop. Fasteners (staples, screws) and adhesives add $2–$12 per sheet. If disposal of old panels is included, add $5–$20 per sheet or use a per-load charge. Always confirm whether delivery includes staging and offloading on-site to avoid unfamiliar charges later.

Inspect shipments for moisture damage on arrival; damaged sheets incur replacement costs and possible delays that affect the overall project price.

Scenario	Material	Labor	Delivery	Total
Standard interior subfloor	$50 per sheet	$30 per sheet	$25 total	$4,000–$5,000
Exterior/moisture-rated for porch	$75 per sheet	$40 per sheet	$60 total	$6,200–$8,000
Ceiling application	$60 per sheet	$35 per sheet	$30 total	$2,800–$3,800