Sawmill and Timber

Forestry, Logging and Building => Timber Management => Topic started by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on April 04, 2008, 09:18:09 AM

Title: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on April 04, 2008, 09:18:09 AM: 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
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Stevem on April 04, 2008, 09:59:28 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on April 04, 2008, 11:17:06 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: adk patroller on April 04, 2008, 11:57:42 AM: $65 a face cord (4'x8'x16") for maple/beech/cherry
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on April 04, 2008, 03:12:49 PM: Out here, adk, that is called a rick. So, that come to $195 a cord. ;D
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on April 04, 2008, 05:13:53 PM: So what do they call a pick up truck full ???
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on April 04, 2008, 08:27:00 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on April 04, 2008, 09:16:52 PM: And here I thought figureing BF was a pain in the but :D
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: joasis on April 05, 2008, 07:48:52 AM: Black Jack (Pin Oak) goes for $50 green to around $85 dry per rick, mixed, meaning anything that grows is maybe $10 less.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on April 05, 2008, 11:17:08 AM: If I can find good saw logs of Pin Oak out here, I make lumber and firewood with the slabs or fall down material.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on April 05, 2008, 11:20:14 AM: Good saw logs of Pin Oak? Whats that :D
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on April 05, 2008, 11:24:19 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on April 05, 2008, 05:38:16 PM: I guess at $8 a bf I would make just about anything they wanted :laugh:
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on April 05, 2008, 09:45:31 PM: Remember, Kirk, that included sawing, drying and t and g ed lumber.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on May 21, 2008, 09:02:26 AM: I just saw Oak going for $225 a cord. I would bet that it will get higher as the season passes.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on May 26, 2008, 09:56:31 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Stevem on June 18, 2008, 01:09:34 AM: 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?
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on June 19, 2008, 10:27:04 AM: 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 ;D
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on June 19, 2008, 11:15:14 AM: Check your local fish wrapper and let us know, Kirk.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on June 19, 2008, 06:33:22 PM: I sell the stuff locally for smoking so must be a NW thing like the chlorinated water thing.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Stevem on June 20, 2008, 11:27:21 AM: Just saw an ad today for seasoned oak firewood at $200 per cord, u-haul. That's about $400/m.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Buzz Sawyer on June 21, 2008, 04:58:01 PM: I recon seqouia(SP)wood is food grade ...I ate a good bit of it and it was refreshing...... ;)
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: caryr on June 25, 2008, 06:56:41 PM: Given that 1 cord is about the same as 100 gal of fuel oil shouldn't we be getting about $400 per cord ;D.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on June 25, 2008, 10:17:34 PM: You got tht correct, Cary. I will raise my prices, based on your calculations and all the while try and blame your theory.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on June 25, 2008, 11:29:10 PM: 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!
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: caryr on June 25, 2008, 11:52:32 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on June 26, 2008, 09:47:24 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on June 26, 2008, 01:45:55 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on July 09, 2008, 03:47:22 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on July 10, 2008, 09:22:07 AM: 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 :-\
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Steve G. on July 10, 2008, 08:45:24 PM: Was everyone okay?
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on July 10, 2008, 11:24:22 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on July 22, 2008, 09:04:53 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on July 22, 2008, 04:28:28 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on July 25, 2008, 01:51:54 PM: 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. ;D

Those dollars should almost cover the cost of filling the F450 fuel tank with diesel. ::) :'( :'(
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: mike p on July 27, 2008, 05:12:51 PM: 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
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on July 27, 2008, 10:22:57 PM: 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. :'(
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on July 29, 2008, 09:19:28 AM: 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. >:(
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on August 01, 2008, 09:04:15 PM: 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. :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Steve G. on August 02, 2008, 12:55:57 PM: Your payin' alot for diesel, we get it for $4.69 ;D
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on August 02, 2008, 10:18:39 PM: 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? :'(
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on August 03, 2008, 06:48:39 PM: 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? ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on August 04, 2008, 07:46:45 AM: Geeeee whillerkers, :'( with 646 hits on this topic I can't :'( even get a comment on :'(what I ought to charge. :'( :'(
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on August 04, 2008, 08:31:41 AM: Fuel costs plus 40%!
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on August 04, 2008, 08:34:49 AM: That means $140 a cord. I am getting that right out of the log yard, now. :o
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on August 04, 2008, 10:07:51 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Stevem on August 04, 2008, 12:13:38 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on August 04, 2008, 01:53:52 PM: The numbers I suggested represent "total" fuel costs (round trip) and the 40% covers your time.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on August 05, 2008, 09:38:20 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on August 05, 2008, 10:26:18 PM: 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
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on August 06, 2008, 07:05:34 AM: I am a senior citezen and a little slow. :'( Thanks for the explaination. :D
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on August 06, 2008, 10:29:39 AM: Its OK, we just had to lower the explanation to that 12 year old level :D ;D ;)
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on August 06, 2008, 01:51:10 PM: 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. :D ;D :D ;D :D ;D :angel:
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on August 06, 2008, 06:02:01 PM: :D :D :laugh: :D :D ;)
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on August 06, 2008, 09:47:55 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: DaveK on August 06, 2008, 10:16:26 PM: I think at $195 you are practically giving it away, so I would go with $251
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Kirk Allen on August 07, 2008, 06:10:05 AM: $219
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Stevem on August 07, 2008, 10:55:17 AM: I'd go with the $219. Nines on the end always sound like a sale.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on August 09, 2008, 09:13:02 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Steve G. on August 09, 2008, 09:52:34 AM: $219 ;D
Title: Re: Firewood prices
Post by: Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner" on August 14, 2008, 10:04:14 PM: 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.