So You Want To Start A Firewood Business???
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- Опубліковано 20 лип 2024
- Today we talk about 10 considerations before starting a firewood business
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That's gotta be one of the best videos on business in general I have seen. Thanks for putting this together. It should help a lot of people out.
Eastonmade Wood Spliters, get off the internet and go help to make your spliters, I was thinking about buy a Ultra, but the waiting list is ridiculously long, greetings from Connecticut.
@@sandrocamargo698 maybe the wait time is long because I have invested the time in the internet 🤔🤔🤔🤔😀😀😀😀
The only reason I’ve ever heard of Eastonmade splitters is because of Hometown Acres! I’ve since seen them on other UA-cam channels, and now they are at the top of my list if I ever get into a different splitter.
@@steveb4992 adam does a great job
@@EastonmadeWoodSplitters Agree!
"Firewood is relaxing." So true. Firewood is also good exercise, heats my home, and is a beneficial way to get rid of all the downed trees on my 10 acres of woods. What's not to love? The one thing about selling firewood that is sketchy is the customers.
Hi Adam. Good advice on firewood. I don’t advertise, word of mouth for me. I started out firewood for myself, 5-7 cords for me to burn. I looked at it as exercise and not work. I buy the wood in log length at first and now by tractor trailer load of 12 cords. I’m not out to make money, just as exercise and liking the outdoors. I’m 72 and in somewhat good shape. Keeps me going. Good advice again Adam.
I'm in my 30s somewhere and this is exactly what I'm looking at it as.
Started with a splitting maul… 3 years later have a 30 ton splitter selling 500 face cords/year @ $150/delivered & stacked.
🎉🎉🎉
-Set aside at least 10% for taxes
-Start out as a side biz and reinvest every penny into ordering log loads from tree companies for a couple years.
-offer delivery + stacking!!!
Stacking is a lot of manual labor, I like the model where you just deliver the wood stacked in some sort of modular container that your customers can return, presumably. But based on this comment, maybe that means I should invent some sort of system for transportation I’ve stacked wood that can basically hold the wood stacked, and then drop the wood off stacked, but that might be a little more complicated than I am imagining
Firewood kiln...
Procure a shipping container.
Typically 2-3 grand.
Grand worth of roofing tar..
Coat it and park it in full sun.
You can get White oak to the same moisture level as a proper three year seasoning for oak in six months.
Minimal cost and it works great.
Up the ante a little bit and buy a used reefer or refrigerated semi trailer.
The insulation factor works out well.
Got into it over the summer of 2020, since then I’ve bought 2 STHIL chainsaws and a 35 ton log splitter. I’m in SoCal and I’ve learned you can never have enough wood. Have wood a year ahead of time. It’s a rewarding side biz
Please help with a tad bit of information. I have a farm in miami literally get my first load today to cut. I have tons of land and a virtually unlimited free supply from landscaping companies.
I simply have no clue how much I could make. But I plan on chopping all year.
For ex, ef I sell 100 cords, how much should I sell them for?
@@Devoneakapimp it really just depends on what wood ur selling and the going price is where you live. It can fluctuate just usually stays around the same price. Offer up is a good place to look to see what it’s going for. Some people will want as little as a wheel barrow or a small truck to a long bed truck load. Mixed wood will go for cheaper than eucalyptus where I live. It burns longer so people want it more. Good luck! I hope that helped a bit.
@@justwannaname yes you did. Thanks.
Where I live there’s virtually no major competition. Just a few people selling some trees they cut.
I noticed that here, wood is sold my pallets, wheel barrows and truckloads (pickups).
The only serious seller I saw sells pallets of split “firewood “ for $200.
I’m not sure how many customers I’d get, but I certainly have an almost unlimited supply of quality hardwood from tree cutting services.
We’ll see what happens.
If you need some help running your firewood, business and you’re near Los Angeles hit me up buddy, I’m very interested in this business and I’m good with machines chainsaws and I have a masters degree in engineering so maybe I can help you improve the efficiency of the operation😊
Yep. Your parting thoughts are spot on. I own a successful small business and all I want to do on the weekends is get out on our land and manage it. Part of that is processing firewood that we heat with. And that alone is just so cathartic. I do not go to church on a regular basis but, I always say that working our land is my way of communing with God.
Hi Adam - it's Big Rodders in Ireland. Another option for somebody to learn the trade is to split for another person. I'm retired and not interested in the hassle of running my own business but enjoy doing firewood. I split part-time for two Tree Surgeon companies using my equipment as and when required. I'm paid on producton levels so that makes me hone my operation to optimise efficiency. This pathway could be ideal for folk not prepared or able to take the full leap into managing the entire process.
Is selling green firewood to a middleman more efficient rather than dry so they do not need to check the moisture content and can then have more control over drying it by doing such themselves?
Hi Joseph - it's Big Rodders in Ireland. There are so any variables that I couldn't give you a definitive answer. Each operator has to work out the optimum system for their own operation. I prefer to only buck and split with no responsibility for seasoning or selling. However, I'm not dependent on this work for an income, which is a very relevant issue. Most UA-cam firewood folk are part time so maximising income is generally not their primary driving force.
Great points Hometown...#8 is my favorite - there is never enough!! lol Also like the bonus one...that gets overlooked I think since a lot of people don't realize there is actually 'work' involved...hahaha. Have a good weekend. 😃👍🍻
I liked your video. I am lucky because I have a tree service and charge people to haul the wood away from the job. We have 2 commercial spliters 2 cord per hour each 4 cat loaders and excavators to make it easy and fun.
Wood can be a pain in the axe.
I was just about to axe you a question about that
wood you Get off your axe, 🪓 and get to work.😮
I love the honesty. I belive wood is either in your blood or it aint
That’s a good way to put it. I think my great great great grandfather was a lumberjack way back before all this cool equipment. It’s definitely in me
@@HometownAcres way kind wood
My grandpa built log homes his whole life just finished up recently. two of my uncles currently build log homes and sell firewood and ancestors before that & recently I’ve started selling firewood and I can assure you it is in my blood. I have a new found love
Good advice Adam. Like your business approach to a tough business. Keep on going your doing fine.
Hi Adam, I love your channel. I bought a home in New Brunswick, 🇨🇦 for my retirement years, the house has a wood/electric force air furnace about 15 years old. The NB government had an energy program to up grade your home. After the inspection they are are going to remove that old furnace and install an air source heat pump connected to my duct work. My problem is I just had 2 cords of wood dropped off for next winter. What I'm thinking about is setting up a wood stand and selling it, I have a neighbour kid that has helped me out on other projects and see how this works out and give him some knowledge of how to make money part time. We also have a number of parks in our area. Sorry for the long post.
Excellent info and advice. Hope you do more videos on this subject. Thanks!
Best video on selling firewood, Simple and straight to the point, Thanks
Great video, I’m going to dabble in this . I have given up snow removal as part of my lawn business after 20 years. Bought a portable sawmill. So between that and firewood I’m extremely excited for winter. Healthy work that will hopefully make some supplemental income . I love the eastonmade splitters . Then found out they are in Ontario. Perfect as I am too. Thanks for sharing .
Dang brother - great video! Very concise logic here, hats of to you and no wonder you do so well both here on UA-cam and with firewood sales!
some really good points Adam. Love your firewood.
Thanks so much for sharing your process, and I can see the true accountant coming through when you analyze the steps!!!
Love the totes! I cut the tubs in half to make lids. No more tarps...
Where do you get the totes?
ua-cam.com/video/cfD8ut8tXPw/v-deo.html
@@andrewwilliams246 usually on Craigslist
Thank you SO much for creating this video. I learned a LOT. It is a big help.
Great video. It all makes sense.You broke it down completely and succinctly.
11:00 that's why I even thought about this. Longest time I've been trying to find myself and recently i started thinking back to my younger days and realized splitting wood really puts me at ease and i thought why not make a business out of this. I'm trying not to let fear stop me and really pursue something that i could enjoy and hopefully not be so stressed out
men must do physical work, part of our DNA.
A man that never does any physical labor is not a real man.
Adam lots of good info there great video. Nothing like these hobbies to keep us hopping. Wild how the market is so different you’re wrapping up October ish and I’m just getting into full swing. Take care brother.
Your presentation has allowed me to collect my ideas into restarting my firewood collection process. I do not sell firewood, however we use about 5 cords a year to heat our home. We also have propane hot water to heat our home. I
Like cutting and splitting my own firewood. I’m a high school English teacher and working outdoors making firewood is a relaxing hobby. Perhaps in 5 years when I retire, I may consider having a firewood business. Thank you for your expertise.
G'day HTA, great advice for a young up and coming firewood merchant it's a by product for me but it sells. I was talking to an old mate that buys blocks from cutters up north and delivers to yards around Melbourne three tipper and dog loads per week 120 tonnes that would equate to 65 cords of your oak at 12% MC per week. He's got 1500 tonnes to deliver by March he said .
In any industry that is full time - Joe from the video you did a collaboration with has it right : it's unacceptable to go full time and run out of inventory. That's poor planning in my eyes. How would you like your gas station to run out of gas? Not good! I love all of your points here, and it's clear that if you were to go full time for this firewood business - you'd know how to adapt your inventory, process, and business methods. What a wonderful thing you have here!
Firewooding is a beautiful thing. I love any hustle that you can stockpile raw resources on your own time. And to add its out in nature. Very good for your soul
Love this video. Never thumbed up or commented on one before that I can remember. Great delivery, great advice, great attitude. Feels good.
Thanks Tony. It’s nice to hear from you. Hope to see you in the comments more often!
Sir, I salute you. You are a man of integrity, intelligence, wisdom, and honesty. Bravo!
A lot of good info in this video buddy. Look how far you've come! Can't beat a hobby that puts good money in your pocket. 👍
There is a lot of good advice here. I have had a firewood business since 1980. I started with a chainsaw, splitting maul and pick-up. Now I have a feller buncher, skidder, log truck, two dump trucks and a Multitek firewood processor. I have always said that firewood either involves a lot of labor or a lot of expensive equipment.
I’m interested. Would you say it’s realistic to go full time to support a family having a firewood business?
@@Painfulwhale360 Yes. It does depend on where you are, what your market is and what your supply of wood is. I would suggest you start part time and don't get in too deep on equipment at first. Offer a good product, full measure and on time delivery. It will take a while to get your name out there but once you do word of mouth advertising is the best.
Adam, just like pricing, you need to take your own advice and apply it to how you make videos. You need about 10% - 20% of people that watch this video to dislike it. Otherwise you've made too good of a video. After I hit the like button the count was 366 likes to 0 dislikes. I think you know what you need to change . . . . .
Great honest and straight forward content as usual. I've been inspired to cut and sell firewood from watching this channel. Keep it up Adam!! 👍🏾
Hahaha I made too good of a video. That’s funny. I appreciate it. Hope things are going well with your firewood production and sales. As always thanks for the support!
It takes much longer than 4 years to learn how to file to near perfection. You are excellent for
4 years. The difference that takes so long to perfect is from wanting it to just be sharp to needing it to cut smooth and sharp. Which means every tooth needs to be almost identical. So with that said you just keep learning and get a little better with each passing year. You are awesome, hard worker, great example.
Yes. I’m not satisfied with my sharpening yet but thought I’d share what I have learned so far
I live in Ohio and am thinking about doing this as a hobby. I run my own business sanding and refinishing hardwood floors, and it slows down in the winter. Appreciate the good vid!
Some really good advise for people starting out. I’ve got a part time firewood business as well and I would say don’t get in over your head financially is huge, don’t buy a lot of expensive equipment right away and to prepare for the unexpected. I have a contract with a local logging company and have to go out to the forest to get the wood so for me weather shutdowns are a big concern, snow and heat shutdowns plus what happens if you get injured(currently down because I fractured my arm). Always keep some wood stored just in case because there are always bills coming in when you’re running a business!
Good information as always Adam. Keep up the good work.
great point of getting the wood out of the woods compared to having it dropped off, i hit a gold mine for firewood probably over a thousand full cord from a tornado that went through but its 13 miles from home which is closer by 15 miles than where i have been cutting so that is a plus. as for enjoying it i never make a job of it so it is a good way to get exercise and be outside.
My father and i started a tree service company 7 years ago. We are doing extremely well and i've been looking to start keeping wood from good trees we remove(it's free for me lol). All i'd have to do is haul it to a location and process it.
Great video! I'm just getting into this, and I'm an office manager. Looking foward to getting this going. Great advice.
Only doing this for myself. You are generous to sell your wood!
Great video Adam,
That’s the one thing I miss now that I live in town, no chance to head to the woods. One day I’d like to get back into it, before I get too old lol.
Stay safe my friend and enjoy the wknd.
I love this video. I am a CPA who lives on a fairly large acreage in rural northeast Oklahoma so we some things in common. I have four kids that are growing up fast and I want to instill a good work ethic into them. My two older boys (8 and 10) helped me split and stack firewood the the last couple years. They are young but they seem to enjoy it ok at least for now. I think starting a small firewood business could be very beneficial for them. They are homeschooled and need to spend more time outside. This would provide them with some extra money to save and help them understand business and economics. I look forward to watching more of your videos!
Really good timing , I process firewood for my own use and have some excess. I really like doing this as my job is very sedentary so like the exercise it gives me. I have just started exploring the route of selling so any advice I can get is more than welcome. Thank you very much.
Super thumbs up sir! I've saved that video to watch again later. I have exactly the same goal as you. A nice hobby to wind down from my day job. I just moved to a new property where the zoning allows for firewood production on a larger basis. Thanks again Adam!
Love it!
Yeah I like doing firewood it is good it clears my head all the time i like your new video today you did a really good jop buddy
This was so useful and eloquently said. Thanks a lot!
Nice video Adam.
My log splitter is supposed to be delivered this week but I’ll just be doing it as a hobby a little here and there.
Great video i have been doing for 43 year 4 generation logger and firewood business and it in the blood
Good advice
I’ve been at it 30 years now
To make a living you need a lot of equipment
And it never lets you down 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Spend most of my time welding things back together
Great video 👌
Great information! Big fan of your videos!
Great job explaining! All valid points.
Great video and lots of very useful information. We started with just two splitting miles and us very inexpensive small chainsaw and rapidly grew to where we bought a hydraulic splitter and a couple more chainsaws.
The one exception to your rules is drawing time is absolutely dependent on your location. Not sure where you are but we’re in the Salt Lake area where we get a lot of sunshine, very low humidity and consistent breezes. We can dry Spruce in 4 to 6 weeks. Hardwoods take 2 to 3 months and it’s dry. People say we have the best firewood they’ve ever used because we were very careful about making sure that it’s good and dried.
Part time we made over 10 grand and we sell out every week. It is a part-time business which means we put in about 30 hours a week. We only sell bundles of firewood or 1/3 of a cord. We have it set up so our customers usually 98%, pre-pay by Venmo and then can pick up their wood at their convenience because it is separated with their name tag on it. Again thanks for all the great information really like your videos!
You have really awesome customers, especially if they’re honest enough not to take other peoples firewood😂
Good video. I am just starting. I want to grow into smalltime but fulltime. Thx for your help.
Great incite Adam, informative and helpful. Thanks
Good video. One thing to maybe add is to know your product, at least some basic knowledge. Know the species, and definitely know exactly how much wood a cord is, or whatever measurement is common in your neck of the woods.
Im at a point where my hobby firewood business could easily become my full time job and im seriously considering it.
Good points. Three years into it. Still looking at best ways to make sales easier to access and always finding less touches.
Thanks for the video. These are exactly the things I am thinking through right now. We came to a similar conclusion to how you finished--lets sell a few trailer loads and see how it goes. Then we can look at a wood splitter etc. Thanks.
Great information buddy! I sure enjoy watching you progress and the system you use. Take care and have a happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks Davey. Happy thanksgiving to you and your family as well
Thanks for the tips!
Really really helpful and informative, cheers Adam👍🏻
Great content Adam.. In selling wood I am the kind of guy I sell it just under what the most expensive guys are selling at and I offer delivery. This seems to be working out great for me
At the end if the summer to mid September I don't want any firewood left over thats seasoned and start on next seasons supply by October.
Some great tips. I had to put my roadside stand on pause after the first weekend after having more bundles stolen then bought. I brought the rest it the bundles back to my camp and am in the process of putting together a remote surveillance system with 5G wifi and cameras. Had to figure a way to secure everything. I will make a video when I am done of it.
This a great video, Adam! It answers a lot of question except the one which you are best suited to answer. You are an accountant and the thing that concerns me the most is how do I handle the business end of the business? What are some of the challenges you faced there? I you have not thought about that, it could be a suggestion for another video.
Outstanding video I'm 72 years old and you made me want to get out there and start cutting
Great video Adam, and excellent idea for content. This info will undoubtedly provide a lot of value to a lot of people.
You are 100% correct on all your points. I would like to share another option for procuring wood. I’m in s.w. Wisconsin, we have a few lumber mills local ( some Amish), lumber mills don’t cut 100% of every log they get. Some get slabbed out and there some rot, cracks or punkiness to the cant. They reject them and sell as “fire cants” , which are debarked. They also carry “fire logs” which are too crooked, cracked, or may have hardware in them. I find this option works great for me, I have a skid steer and 14k goose neck trailer, thatI use for our farm. For a round $100 I can’t have my trailer loaded, take the logs home, and unloaded in less than an hour.
* also, the lumber yard I work most with has a “ free firewood” pile, which is hardware, cut crotches, and part that won’t fit in the chipper, which if you really don’t mind the extra work, is a great place to start.
This video has a lot of great information before anyone else is interested getting into the firewood business! I was noticing the IBC totes behind you in the video and I was wondering about how much of wood do you have in them? Do you have a FULL FACE CORD or something close to it? Keep up the great work buddy because you have come a long way to have something to fall back on for emergency cash flow!
Couldn't get much clearer than that without "stick figure instructions"
Thanks for laying it out!
Something I have been looking into is getting a polytunnel to use as a kiln, here in the uk you can get a good quality 10x20 foot one for about 310 quid, put it up and install a extractor fan on a end to let the moisture out to improve the drying process, it is something i have thought about because in my mind it gets hotter in one of them, you can be looking at over 30 maybe even 40 degrees depending on how much sunlight it gets, and even though it isnt as hot as a kiln it should in theory dry out quicker which is always a good thing, and you dont have a massive investment, you could make that money back with the first lot you dry in it, and then some.
Good vid. Picking up buying a posch bit of equipment tomorrow.
Great video! I really enjoy it helped alot I’m looking to start full possibly. I really enjoy it. I got the itich anyone else have it lol. I think it’s great!!
I have to agree with everything you said. I’m a registered nurse, but have always had a keen sense for business. I sometimes regret not going into finance. It’s definitely more prosperous to sell in smaller amounts as you do. Always great to hear advice and pick up some inspiration and extra info. God bless!!
As someone who is starting a side hustle for firewood I can say number 10, the flow/process is probably the most important. You can really waste or save a lot of time by planning out how your going to handle and move your material. My issue starting out was just that, I started out just cleaning up some down trees, to then thinking about selling it to now having a tractor with a grapple. I moved the same split pile of wood twice before stacking it, moved the rounds twice ect which is a lot of wasted time and $$$.
I streamlined it even more, back when I sold wood, by teaching my customers to buy green wood. That way I could cut, split, and right into the truck and delivered. I sold it slightly cheaper, and it costs nothing to dry it either way. Also makes a far better cash flow!
Just started this. Same scenario... Im an accountant, started with an axe, bought a 2 chainsaws, and some general stuff. Have 25 chords right now (personal use). Just bought 2 leases (pieces of forest I can call my own untill december 23 next year) last week to get started again. ... and yeah ... I love splitting wood, I see it as a sport.
A good way to test the waters is to try "flipping" some firewood, especially if you have a truck. It's usually not to tough to find someone who is selling seasoned wood by the cord that doesn't deliver and therefore will be more likely to give you a better deal especially if you buy several cords. Then you haul it home and proceed to market it in smaller quantities with delivery. You won't make as much but you can test the market without investing a lot of time or money.
Very true. That’s why I’m starting this way and if it pans out to be something more profitable I’ll make it more on the books so I keep it on the up and up.
Man. This video earned you my Subscription! Off to see what else you got now.
Absolutely 💯 enjoyed this video. ! gave me great perspective on so many areas to consider. Thanks for posting this !
Just found your channel tjis morning..great stuff
Good points, but there is another thing to consider.
The “business “ aspect. The legal and regulatory requirements. You can’t operate on a cash basis for long. Every time you make a trip for business all of your assets are at risk.
I owned a business for 30 years.
You can be the best firewood processor out there, but if you aren’t a master at paperwork, you will eventually fail.
It’s great seeing you using those IBC tote frames to contain your wood.
Great business tips! Thanks man
Great video Adam!!
Totally agree!!!! I love your logo!!!
Thanks!
Adam, Id say you just about summed it up!! as they say time is money, money is time! you can’t get back time!! In my eyes a processor is the way to go but a commercial splitter is able to get all pieces a processor can’t do so it’s give and take with the cost of the processor and time saved versus the commercial splitter that can split everything but is more hands on labor wise
Great video! My primary job is in the IT field (data center hardware tech) but I have cut firewood most of my adult life for both personal use and I sell the occasional truck load of firewood. First off I just wanted to say that your video was very informative, gave a different perspective, and came across very honest. you have obviously really thought this whole process out very well. However I would love for you to talk actual numbers, especially as you are an accountant. How much have you invested? what are your profit margins? what are you making per year, per hour, etc? Once again thanks for creating this video.
Nice video. I have a tree service that dumps at my place. I told my girls (16 and 14) they are welcome to sell it if they split it. So they've been doing it for the last 2 years. They did about 12 cords this summer.
It's taught them to work hard but also to plan ahead and have patience. The first year they didn't cut much in the fall and it sold real fast that spring. They realized that they can't just cut and sell. It has to sit and season. So not they are always going out understanding if they don't they won't make money next summer. Good little business for them.
That’s impressive. 12 cords for two young ladies. I’m extremely impressed. Are they splitting with an axe? Or do they have a splitter?
@@HometownAcres they have a hydraulic splitter. The older splits and the younger stacks. We started using the ibc cages this year. That makes things a lot easier. I'll have to show them about bundling and see if they want to do that. Right now they sell to campers and cord wood but everyone comes to them so maybe that's better.
Great video man! Keep up the good work
Great video, keep up the good work!
Top quality stuff here. Thanks man
About to start mine this weekend as a side hustle to build up revenue for my full time sawmill in the future
Excellent review and example
I want to start a firewood business and use some of my robotics experience to see if I can automate some processes in ways that haven’t been done before, there are automated firewood processing machines and they’re pretty decent, but I’d love to somehow create a system that you can take a longer log and basically drop it off at the starting point and end up with nicely bundled pieces of firewood at the end or maybe firewood just conveyed into IBCs etc.
Thanks for the info. I enjoy doing firewood. I'm working on splitting ash right now I just use a maul to split the wood it's a great stress reliever 😁
Great info. Thanks.
Great info video...cheers from Italian Alps
Great video. Thanks for making this
WOW . !! VERY GOOD thinking thru how 2 do this . u think like me . i just use my chain saw 4 now . and also have mine cut and stacked , for my bbq grill , which we use most often . got a bunch from right here in my little town of dunkirk . they were cutting trees and were hard wood maple . so they just gave most of it limbs to and the limb parts i make into kindeling. all the way to the most smallest pieces and put that in totes. totes range in size with what i had on hand. about 5 gal to 20 gallon size. yes i know about your friend in ohio . have seen {{ in the wood yard }} that one is good to him and his brother have wood yards .