Firewood prices

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

What are some of the prices of firewood in your area?

Firs: $130 - $150

Oak: $180 - $200 +

Maple: $190 +


I have not idea of where these will be going, come this Winter

[Stevem]

I get about $500/cord off my front porch in 1 Cubic bundles.

But I did just sell a cord of dry fir for $125 and they hauled and loaded our of my back yard. No hassle and no advertisement.

Think I just saw a local add for dry fir @ $175/cord and oak at $200.

Neighbor tells me that for best price if you've got dry wood wait 'till after December to sell it because nobody has any dry wood available and it's a sellers market. 

[Kirk Allen]

I think I am going to have to start selling my fire wood instead of giving it away. All mine comes from slabs and I just pile them up and let a few of the locals have it for free.  Some could afford to buy it but I do have a couple that I would never charge as they simplly cant afford it. (older folks unable to work). 

I had no idea it was worth the prices you mentioned.  I wonder what its like in our area.

[adk patroller]

$65 a face cord (4'x8'x16") for maple/beech/cherry

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Out here, adk, that is called a rick.  So, that come to $195 a cord.

[Kirk Allen]

So what do they call a pick up truck full

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Well, Kirk, the size is important and with or without sideboards.  A standard size box will hold about a third of a cord or a rick.  just tossed in and not stacked.  I have been able to stack a half cord in such as box with a bit over the gunnels.

[Kirk Allen]

And here I thought figureing BF was a pain in the but

[joasis]

Black Jack (Pin Oak) goes for $50 green to around $85 dry per rick, mixed, meaning anything that grows is maybe $10 less.

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

If I can find good saw logs of Pin Oak out here, I make lumber and firewood with the slabs or fall down material.

[Kirk Allen]

Good saw logs of Pin Oak?  Whats that

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

I did a dance floor for some folks, here in Dallas.  They were absolutely delighted with the results.  At $8.00 as board foot I made the flooring for them.

[Kirk Allen]

I guess at $8 a bf I would make just about anything they wanted

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Remember, Kirk, that included sawing, drying and t and g ed lumber.

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

I just saw Oak going for $225 a cord.  I would bet that it will get higher as the season passes.

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

The local garbage liner from Salem was advetising mix Oak and Fir for $190 a cord, while Fir was going for $160 a cord from another fella.  Only two adds today.

I have someone coming today to get Fir trimings from the mill and I am only charge them $135 a cord.  I saw it in my jig and dump it into their trailer that they have left for filling.  It makes for a pretty easy haul from this end.

[Stevem]

Now here's a twist.  I just asked the local meat store where he gets his wood for smoking meat.  Answer was, "In Portland." (Portland is a 1+ hour drive)  My questions was why he didn't get it locally? His answer was it had to be "Food Grade"

Ever hear of such a thing?  Food grade fire wood?  What do you suppose that is?

[Kirk Allen]

Who knows in that area.  I have been to fire Departments that cant shoot water for training because of the chlorine in it.  That is Environmental whackos going to far.  Probably the same type issue with the wood. 

I could lable some hickory as food grade if you like.  We sell it locally with no problems and I consider it food grade.  You could eat it if you want but probably wouldnt taste very good 

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Check your local fish wrapper and let us know, Kirk.

[Kirk Allen]

I sell the stuff locally for smoking so must be a NW thing like the chlorinated water thing.

[Stevem]

Just saw an ad today for seasoned oak firewood at $200 per cord, u-haul.  That's about $400/m.

[Buzz Sawyer]

I recon seqouia(SP)wood is food grade ...I ate a good bit of it and it was refreshing......

[caryr]

Given that 1 cord is about the same as 100 gal of fuel oil shouldn't we be getting about $400 per cord .

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

You got tht correct, Cary.  I will raise my prices, based on your calculations and all the while try and blame your theory.

[Kirk Allen]

IF that is the case then its time to plant a boat load of the Sequoia.  As fast and big as it grows who needs fuel oil!

[caryr]

Like all rules of thumb it depends on the size of your thumb!

FYI the first winter in our house we used about 800 gal. of oil and no wood. Last winter we used 7-8 cords of wood and no oil. The house was probably a bit colder, but that may have as much to do with how cold it was this winter compared to previous years. This year I should have 10+ cords ready so we don't have to conserve.

[Kirk Allen]

I am stockpiling the sawdust so I dont have to use any propane this year.  If it all works out the Biomizer will pay for itself in two years. 

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

I just had the first of three loads of Oak logs delivered yesterday for resail.  There are about 8 cords per load and very little of it will have to be split.  I am paying $700 a load and expect to sell for $275 a cord this winter.


Had a call later in the day and will deliver 2 cords for $225 from a diffterent source and not have to cut or split any of the wood.  Just haves them load and I drive to the dump location.  Profit will be $250 less some fuel.

Speakig of stock pilig sawdust, IZ have asround 500 yards, if you  are interested, Kirk.

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Had somewhat of a profitable morning with firewood.  I hauled two cords of Oak slab firewood and sold it to my wife.  Such a deal.  I only made a profit of fifty dollars, but it was better than a kick in the head.  I then decided to take the remainder of the day off, as the temps are pushing the higher 90s today and thought it would be nicer to not put out too much more energy after the great profit margin that I made.

[Kirk Allen]

Spend all day from 6-6 cleaning up the town after a major wind storm took out hundreds of trees and poles.  No sooner than I got home and showered we got toned out for a house fire.  Got home about 2 in the morning.  Just now getting up and feel like I have been awake for 10 days

[Steve G.]

Was everyone okay?

[Kirk Allen]

All are safe but the couple who was renting the home are now homeless and all on the same day the found out their soon to be born twins died.  Pretty rough day for them. 

Our Firemans club donated money to them last night then we got them hooked up with the Red Cross so they at least can have some clothes on their backs. 

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

How is the family doing at this time, Kirk?


I just got as log truck load of Douglas Fir logs for the hauling away. About half will become firewood and other will be sawed into bee boards for outdoor school kids, this next Fall.  Such a deal.

[Kirk Allen]

How is the family doing     Well, the wife was arrested Monday and charged with Arson and as far as the twins, there wasnt any. That was a lie.  There was one new born baby boy we found in the woods and we are still waiting to hear what charges will come from that.

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Just delivered a cord of  mill trimings, last night, to town and got $165.  Not bad for a less than one hours work for a cut and loaded cord.  That firwood jig is sure a time saver for me.

Those dollars should almost cover the cost of filling the F450 fuel tank with diesel.

[mike p]

That firwood jig is sure a time saver for me.

frank please explain your jig as im trying to decide what or how to construct me a slab jig
your experence would be appreacited

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Man, pictures are sure going to cost me.  I am going to have to con Alice to try and get them on the topic.  I will work at the task.

[Kirk Allen]

Not to hijack the thread Frank but this local mental case has now been charged with 3 counts of First Degree Murder, 1 count of Arson, and 1 Count of Concealment of a Murder. 

I hope they smoke this woman.   

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Good news, Kirk.  Thanks for the update.

 Back to wood prices.  I have two cords of Douglas Fir, all rounds, 6" to 2" diameter, 16" long, loaded on the F450 and ready for hauling to Portland, this coming Sunday. 

My question is, traveling 65 miles one way for delivery what kinds of suggestions have you folks got for charging per cord?

Diesel is running me $4.85 a gallon.

[Steve G.]

Your payin' alot for diesel, we get it for $4.69

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

What, no suggestions?  I have to leave here in the morning without input on what to charge?  How am I going to make a profit if I have no soothsayers giving me the word?

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Ya' all  still have time to share your thoughts on what I ought to charge per cord for the delivery to Portland.  The folks were not available at time of delivery and I have not yet shared the amount per cord, with them.  HELP?

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Geeeee whillerkers, with 646 hits on this topic I can't even get a comment on  :'(what I ought to charge.   

[Kirk Allen]

Fuel costs plus 40%! 

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

That means $140 a cord.  I am getting that right out of the log yard, now. 

[Kirk Allen]

Im sorry Frank, what I meant was the fuel charge plus 40% of that on TOP of the chord charge. 

If the fuel to deliver is $50 and your getting $140 a chord, I would charge $70 for deliver (fuel cost plus 40%) and $140 for the chord, thus $210 total. 

[Stevem]

I don't see how you can be competitive taking wood to Portland unless you're already going that way with a truck for some kind of haulback!!!!!!!!!!!! 

So price should be something like:

Base price for the wood + fuel cost + $ for your haul time X 2 (round trip). 

The IRS is allowing $0.40+ per mile expenses for a vehicle operation and that was at a lot lower fuel costs.  This year should be more.

Charity, friends and special people are up to you on how much you want to loose.

[Kirk Allen]

The numbers I suggested represent "total" fuel costs (round trip) and the 40% covers your time. 

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Well, if I add the fuel at .40 per mile I get $60.00.  With the fee of $135 at the mill site, that gives me $195, then I add Kirks 40% and I get $273 a cord.  That might be a little high?  Or, I can take 40% of the $135 and do the total.  Lets see, that makes the per cord price $251. 

[Kirk Allen]

Frank, the 40% surcharge is 40% of the fuel costs. 

$135 per chord
$60 for fuel
$24 surcharge (40% of $60 fuel costs)

Total of $219

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

I am a senior citezen and a little slow.  Thanks for the explaination.

[Kirk Allen]

Its OK, we just had to lower the explanation to that 12 year old  level 

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Well, how do you think I have gotten along with you and Buzz, when you were out here.  That 30 years of experience working with 12 year olds.

[Kirk Allen]

 

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Well, here is the decision all have been waiting for about the price I will charge.

What did I chose:

a. $273

b. $251

c. $219

d. $195


Better yet: which ever one gets the highest votes, I may just use that figure.

[DaveK]

I think at $195 you are practically giving it away, so I would go with $251

[Kirk Allen]

$219

[Stevem]

I'd go with the $219.  Nines on the end always sound like a sale.

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

I reckon the polls are closed and the voting is complete.  Therefore I have chosen, based on popular vote counts, the $219 figure.  I will call the customers and let them know.  Thanks for the imput.

[Steve G.]

$219

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Saw today that u-haul Oak was going for at least $220 a cord.  I might have to set my sights as bit higher for later this year and for sure next.