How Profitable is my Hobby Firewood Business?
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- Опубликовано: 26 июл 2022
- How profitable is my hobby firewood business. Today I explain how much money I make per cord and break it down to an hourly rate.
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Thanks for watching. If you’re not subscribed to my channel now would be a great time. Thanks Ben.
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$400 per cord that’s great!! I found that getting to busy selling just adds more stress. I was always worried about keeping my inventory up, now I only advertise my bags and bundles and my heating firewood is all repeat customers and word of mouth. Keep up the good work Ben I really enjoy your channel👍👍
Jeremiah thanks for watching as always. I’m going to try more advertising to increase sales. I get quite a few no’s with my prices. The customers are out there and I also want to try selling kindling and more bundles. Take care, Ben.
Your price per cord is double what one brings around here. If your market supports it, more power to you! One thing for certain, your firewood is neat, uniformly cut, and premium species. I completely agree about working it up in the summer - it’s brutal. Unfortunately, I have to buck up a lot of logs still. It won’t be dry enough for this year, but by next I’ll be doing ok.
The market is here if I was a little closer to the city I couldn’t keep up. I’m going to advertise more this year and see how that works. I try to selectively work this time of year that’s why I have logs stacked around. Thanks as always take care, Ben.
Over 20 years ago I was selling a cord of firewood for $180. People want to pay that same price today, but think about how the prices of everything else has gone up since then, but the hard labor of firewood needs to stay the same.. If I sell any firewood today I will ask $400 a cord any less and I will keep and burn it myself.
That’s a big load of firewood there. Love the firewood business myself. I agree, the heat makes working with firewood far harder. Thanks for sharing friend!
I’m hoping things will soon be picking up. It has been a long hot summer for sure. I’m really looking forward to the fall take care, Ben.
When I’m learning a new skill, I don’t pay myself much (min wage), but as I get better, my prices go up because I get faster and more efficient at it. For my chainsaw carvings, I’m now at about $20/hour. That hobby / side hustle is a never ending learning process. Firewood is just fun for me right now. I can’t get what you do for a cord, so it’s pretty much what I can when I can. The price of heating oil is going to cause a lot of folks to buy wood and burn their fireplaces this year.
Denny thanks for watching sir. Wish you the best with your side hustles. We just work hard and do the best we can. Hope you’re firewood business does well. Take care, Ben.
Hi Ben! Good talk! I used to bass fish too…had a nice boat, 1,000 rods and reels, artificial lures that would fill up a truck bed…you know how it is with bass fishing. I am the same way, it got to be so expensive it wasn’t fun. This firewood hustle can be expensive too if you let it. However, it’s the only hobby I’ve ever had that has the potential to earn money. $35/hour for doing something you enjoy, as a hobby! That’s awesome! Keep it up! Stay cool and go enjoy that pool!
Thanks Mike sounds like you know where I’m coming from. I haven’t been fishing in a little over 12 years just completely walked away. Firewood has it’s moments but for the most part I enjoy. This RUclips stuff brings on some frustration when you’re trying to make a video but you really just want to work. Take care, Ben.
You’re winning kid , fresh air , hard work , extra scratch , let’s not forget peace and quiet , maybe some bush cooking
I’m trying. My market here in the south is just so weather driven. I’ve been slow lately but hoping things pick back up.
Thank you for giving us an actual realistic amount per hour. $35 per hour is not enough for me to want to start a business but the info you provided was very helpful.
No problem. It’s enough in my situation for part time work. I may have to run the numbers again some day. Thanks for stopping by.
Another great video you are a hard worker
Thanks Jack just a little talking and stacking. Take care, Ben.
Neatly stacked on your trailer with 2' height, you should get about 2.2 cords. Probably close to max weight for that trailer if it's a 10K trailer. I like how you utilize the trailer for firewood processing.. don't have to bend over as far.. Here in the pacific northwest average price for nice wood is around $300 cord. Mostly Doug Fir, Maple, Alder, Cherry.
Yes I had originally planned to just haul logs etc back to the property. It sure is nice being able to stack from the trailer like you said. I’m hoping not to have to stack it on I like the tossed version. Thanks take care, Ben.
The Summer heat sure does take the fun out of outside activities. I wish we could send you some of the rain we've been getting here in NC. If it doesn't rain every afternoon, we still get a storm. Gas is too high to be mowing the grass so often.
Thanks Phil glad you are getting some rain. Summer will be over before we know it thank goodness. Appreciate you watching sir take care, Ben.
Ask Tractor Mike did an excellent video on the dangers of negative tongue weight with trailers. You can get in a lot of trouble in a big hurry on the highway like that.
Oh I know had a skid steer loaded too far back once. Lets just say it got pretty scary at about 50 mph. Everything I haul these days I make sure I have weight forward. I don’t travel far and I stick with back roads. Slow and steady wins the race. Take care, Ben.
Good evening Sir, Doing firewood is also an OUTSTANDING way of doing fitness and it is free doing, no gym subs to pay !!! You have also gaining very nice tools too 😇👌👍 Keep up what you are doing if you like what your doing Sir 🤔😉😇👌 Have both of you an OUTSTANDING week Cheers 👌👌😇😇🍻🍻
Thanks Dave always working hard getting things done. Thanks so much for watching take care, Ben.
Hello Ben, Good Money in the Hobby, and Good Exercise, Take Care and Stay Safe 🪵👍🏼🇺🇸
Thanks Larry I just need your truck lol. You guys stay safe take care, Ben.
Hello Ben, without a doubt, firewood does not get any better than the wood you produce, super premium stuff, and as time goes on, word of mouth will get around from your customers, you will sell all you want to. If you can get a bit ahead on inventory, just work like the devil in the fall/winter months- like you say- when it’s enjoyable, Take care
Hey Mike good to hear from you sir. Good advice work hard in the cooler weather hope I remember that. If you catch me slacking be sure to crack the whip. I’ve been hitting it pretty hard lately got a couple new SF toys as of late. Take care, Ben.
Thanks for the info
Any time!
92 degrees here in Seattle today.. This is the only time of the year I don't like being outside, I would rather be in the snow than the heat..
Prices here in Seattle range from 150 to just north of 325 delivered and stacked..
Daniel it seems it’s hot everywhere this year. Stay safe my friend take care, Ben.
Hi Ben, Nice load of firewood, #5.00 an hour is pretty good for a hobby.
It’s enough to keep me motivated at least in cooler weather. Take care, Ben.
You definitely need some helper springs for that 1/2 ton truck. Back in the day with added sides we hauled 1/2 cord in truck bed..
I have added some Monroe coil over shocks. They helped quite a bit gained a little lift and the ride seems to be better. Thanks for stopping by.
Great job Ben. You sure are a hard working man. How do you keep all that wood so neat and orderly?
Christie I just stack when I can. Teresa makes me keep it neat lol. Thanks for watching.
Good looking wood.
Thanks for watching take care, Ben.
You hit the nail on the head "truck load" well we all know how much that can vary. Second, was it advertised as seasoned? If it was, was it "seasoned" for 2 months in a big pile on the ground? Stacking takes time, but in my opinion it is absolutely necessary if you want a premium product. Uniform lengths, small splits, and proper seasoning makes for a premium product and commands a premium price. I put right in my ad "if you're looking for the cheapest wood that will burn, I'm not your guy but thanks for looking" and I explain that I am providing a premium product delivered to them and stacked, they do nothing but pay, and there is a market for that in many areas it just depends on how big of a market. I'm with you, I'd rather sell 20 cords in a year and make 8k than sell 50 cords in a year and make 10k.
Jason all good points pretty much exactly the way I think. Although I am going to make a pile to go along with my stacks for next year. I tried a couple piles in the past and it worked okay. I’m thinking 3-5 cords we will see. Take care, Ben.
@@OGAOutdoors stacking is a time consuming pain in the, but in my opinion it's part of what makes a premium product. You might consider trying the face cord bags too as another option. I bought a few but haven't tried them because I don't have a conveyor yet and if I'm going to throw it in I might as well just stack it. I use ibc totes and wood crates I get for free which I like for being able to move around as needed.
@@jasone679 Yeah I like the totes too but I only have one. At the prices people want for them it cuts too much into my profits.
@@OGAOutdoors yep, I'd like to have more but I only buy them when I get them cheap. I've gotten some as low as $15 each.
That’s actually not bad.I’m looking at some land that will need to be cleared.Trees have to come down anyway,so might as well.
It’s enough to keep me motivated. I’m more of higher quality less volume. Take care, Ben.
Firewood is just firewood just have to know your wood.
I'm in central pa. I'm lucky to get $80 a truck load. I only sell to a few people but they heat with all firewood so its hard to keep up. Plus cutting my own firewood
Rusty when I first started selling a few years ago I was at about 85$ delivered. Most all of those were easy people at work or drop off on the way home. It just all depends on your local market. If I was closer to the city I could probably sell more. I know of one place that sells for $150 picked up no deliveries. I’m going to try to advertise hopefully and improve the value. Take care stay safe, Ben.
You’ll sell every stick you have this winter. With high electric bills folks will come to wood for heating. Won’t matter if it is dry or not…God bless..
James thanks for watching sir. Time will tell a lot depends on the $80 dollar guys and how long they last. Thanks again take care, Ben.
$400 a bush cord in southern ontario canada pick up not delivered. But our diesel is also $1.80 per liter so more costly to get the wood.
Yeah I’m still raising prices a little. I’m mainly just sitting on firewood waiting on the weather to turn cold. We are also under a burn ban due to the drought so that’s currently got things moving slow.
Just a thought 🤔... If you're selling out, you're not charging enough. (Maybe apply seasonal/surge pricing like Uber does? More at the start of winter/ around the holidays, or on weekends, or less in, say April...)
Anyway, that's not firewood specific, just basic supply and demand.
I guess I’m charging enough I’ve yet to sell out. The mild winter might have had something to do with that too. Thanks for watching and stopping by.
@@OGAOutdoors
It's a hard balance to hit, eh? For me, it took years before I realized I was undercharging just to have constant work, production, etc... before I started to find that balance. (If I even know it now! It changes so quickly!)
Cheers!
Website is a good idea if you have products that can be shipped easily. Firestarters, small bags of smoking chips, and logo merchandise.
Should be able to keep such things in stock year around.
Shotty I was thinking I could showcase the quality of my firewood and bringing in more of the higher paying customers. I also want to push bundles more and I’m going to give kindling a try. I’ve got the chipper here and was thinking about the smoker chips but after one trip to Walmart I’m thinking not worth my time. Depending on which species they were either $3 or $4 per bag. I just think overall to the customers it would seem more professional maybe maybe not.
If you think you can grow your firewood business and want to, go for it!!! Terry
Terry kinda hesitant though because of inventory etc. I just don’t want it to become a full time job. Take care, Ben.
Another great video. Ask what the market will allow. Run your prices as a deficit that causes your competitors to fold then ask what you want per cord as you'll be the only major player in town.
Thanks Tony I’m sticking to my guns. I’ll sell it for a good price I’m thinking the new website will help. More to follow.
@@OGAOutdoors And why not as it seems to be working! Keep making those vids, always enjoy watching as you already know!
I work for a Tree Service Company in Boise Idaho.
It's reasonable to sell a face cord of split mix hardwood for $200
I have space this year and am hoping to run 20 cords in '24
Keep splitting brother
Sounds like a good plan. If I was closer to the city I could probably get that much. I’m just slightly geographically challenged.
@@OGAOutdoors geographically challenged....or blessed. Depending on your perspective ✌️
nice work
Thanks
Damn Ben! You get $400 a cord?! I live in CT and its usually $250. God bless you!
Actually $397.50. If they pick up it’s $375 and if I deliver it’s $420 plus mileage etc. If I figure in the roadside stand and the other bundles I sell that raises the average more. Thanks for stopping by God bless.
$250 in CT? Maybe 8 years ago. Look around at quality seasoned wood, you’ll not find it for close to that. One can barely get whole log loads delivered for $200 a cord. $400 is right
Me and my dad sold it for 75 a cord until 2018 when we stopped and we sold all maple uniform cut I can’t believe you get that much
That being said we bought logs and used a splitter and we’re lucky to break even most of the time
It just has to do with your market and location. I wouldn’t sell it any cheaper I’d have to find something else to do. I’m selling a small truckload today delivered for $100. The load will be odd lengths etc not the quality stuff. I’m actually thinking of raising my prices a little first of next year. Thanks for watching.
My only regret is starting out with a big roadside stand instead of a small one like you. Would've given me the chance to build inventory instead of being almost behind every week.
I’ve never been behind on inventory. I’m going to set me up a website to attract more higher paying customers. I get a lot of okay thanks when I tell them the price. Take care, Ben.
@@OGAOutdoors, $10 for bundles of premium barkless cooking/smoking wood isn't out of the question in my area. And it is a very rural area with only 25-26,000 permanent residents.
@@thefirewooddoctor Sounds good.
Ben, I really enjoy yours and Teresa’s channels. Does your price include delivery? -Karen
Karen thanks for watching and supporting our channels. I do charge delivery but the $400 dollar per cord is the average with all profit figured in. Thanks again take care, Ben.
Selling out of firewood would be great!
Yes I guess it would then I would have to process more. Only problem I might loose some of my regular customers. Take care, Ben.
Keep grinding your videos are great!
@@cesarbejarano7363 Cesar thanks for all the support take care, Ben.
Nice clean looking oak! So, you sell bulk mostly or bundles? My bundles must be the wrong time of year. No sales in about 3 weeks on FB Marketplace. It's hot here. 103 degrees yesterday. I saw the stretch wrap on your Amazon, but without sales, I can't see getting more. I'm guessing when cooler weather arrives in fall, things will take off. Nice video, Ben!
Mostly bulk bundles business is nonexistent heck I’m not selling anything. It will pick up in the fall I’m also planning on advertising more. No 100s here we just stay a nice comfy 93-97 with 298% humidity.
@@OGAOutdoors When it was 103 degrees yesterday, it was only 18% humidity! Very dry heat thankfully! I've been in that 298% humidity in the South. It's a muggy, miserable, sweaty mess!
It's currently 97 degrees and 30% humidity. Probably will hit 100 degrees before the day is over. I can tell the uptick in humidity today. We also have smoke filtering in from California wildfires 600 miles away. It's just a bit hazy, I've seen much worse smoky conditions.
@@stevepreston7030 So long story short your 103 is more pleasant than my 95. lol
@@OGAOutdoors Maybe. Both hot though. Talking to grandkids in Georgia today and they say it's HOT!!!
@@OGAOutdoors It's going to be 101 today and it's 58% humidity right now at noon. Feels like the South today in Oregon! Not dry heat today. I looked at Chattanooga weather an hour ago and just about the same temperature and humidity as here, ughh. But thankfully we don't have thunderstorms pooping up here.
35.00 an hour is quite good for a hobby! 🙂
Candice I think so I guess that’s why I keep after it. Appreciate you watching take care, Ben.
I personally consider a cord of wood a cord of round (logs) 4 ft wide, 4 ft tall and 8 feet long. The round wood takes up more space than bucked and split wood. Which means there is more than a cord of wood in a bucked and split pile 4 ft wide, 4 ft high and 8 ft long. I think that needs to be considered in how you price your wood. I hope thats not an out of context comment. If it is please disregard it. It is only a humble opinion.
Makes sense. I just don’t have a lot of reason to stack logs. I recently had some rounds in my trailer and once they were split I had more wood than I thought. Thanks for stopping by.
What size truck is that, that is a huge trailer.
It’s a Chevy 1500. It moves the trailer around pretty well.
Did you say you have Post Oak in your area of Alabama Ben?
I was surprised to hear that. I thought it was only native to Texas?
I did or at least that’s what I decided after some research. I could be wrong there are just so many varieties of oak.
What state you located in? I agree with selling firewood for hobby vs full time business.
Larry I’m in Alabama northern part of the state. It works pretty good for a part time job. I may try to grow it some but not too much. Take care, Ben.
NC here, too hot for wood chores😀
My 14ft trailer can hold one cord with double 3500 pound axles. A cord is around 5000 pounds so my trailer is maxed out. Your trailer looks to be a 14000# trailer so do the math keeping in mind the empty weight of the trailer. As for selling I keep it at hobby level so 20 cords is just right. I wasn’t lookin to make this a second job but just recreation and a way to buy new saws. Thanks buddy.
I think my trailer has 5k axles. Yea I know the feeling about the hobby getting out of control. Here in my area business is mainly weather driven. When it’s mild here people don’t need firewood as opposed to up north where they still need it. This winter after December was very slow. Oh well I guess I have plenty for this year.
@@OGAOutdoors I’m in south Louisiana so it’s the very same here. The day before a hard front comes they all want wood.
180 Cubic foot tossed is a cord =5.1 cubic m = 3.62 cubic m stacked (128 FT)=about 3 cubic m solid= 106 Cubic ft
Ok I’ve never actually tossed a cord. I mostly deal in thirds and I’m sure I don’t get into cubic m measures. Thanks for stopping by take care, Ben.
What machine do you use to split the rounds down into firewood?
Ross I mainly use my Split Fire 2265. It’s a great little splitter does a good job for my operation.
I love the look of the 2265...I've tried to access one here in the UK but no luck... to import from Europe costs way too much, over £5600 which exchanges to about $6800...which is ridiculous ...shame i'd love to get my hands on one of them....Thanks for the great video...I have subscribed so will now catch up on the rest of your content...Thanks again mate @@OGAOutdoors
@@rossmac3084 Yes that is pretty pricey for sure. Thanks so much for watching and subscribing.
Why are you putting so much time on stacking it instead of just bagging it? It takes more space but I mean you'd cut the work time almost in half right?
Yeah stacking does take time. I’m always changing things up. I’m currently migrating to just splitting and tossing into piles on pallets.
$35 is about what I’m coming up with as well.
Yea it’s a good number for my hobby business. I struggled to reach that today. It was equipment problem day everything went wrong that could. Nothing catastrophic but had issues with everything. Thanks for watching take care, Ben.
looks like pine wood is that what you burn in wood stove fireplace
The wood I was stacking in this video was oak. I do burn some pine as long as it’s dry. I’m going to try and sell pine kindling in bundles this fall. Thanks for stopping by take care, Ben.
What part of Alabama do you service?
I’m in north west part of the state. I kinda range west Huntsville to Florence.
Do you get hickory?
@@germansmith3291 Yes I have hickory. Here is the link to my website for the firewood and also has my contact information. Where are you located?
ogaoutdoors.com/
🧡
Yesssir Jesus is very good
Yes he is thanks for watching and stopping by. Take care, Ben.
$35 an hour is really good for firewood.
Looks like kinlin
It does hopefully I can sell it. Take care, Ben.
What state are you in ?
I’m in north Alabama.
I figured you was somewhere in that area , talking about the heat , I’m in southwest Virginia , in the foothills of the Appalachians , I’m trying to start a part time firewood business but I’m still working ( I’m a machinist ) 50-60 hours a week , so finding the time is my main issue , your channel is very helpful , I am a subscriber, Thankyou for all the videos , God Blessings to you and your family .
@@fergusonto-2032 Ferguson thanks for all the support watching the channel. Glad you are getting helpful info. Sounds like you’re a busy man hopefully you will have time to get the firewood business going. Thanks again take care Ben.
Where are you located? where in the south?
Hey Chewy I’m in northern Alabama. How about you? Thanks for watching take care, Ben.
@@OGAOutdoors NE Tennessee. Looking at raising my prices this fall as well. Probably won't reach $400 per cord but will try for around $350. There is so many people with channels that are up north. Good to find another Southerner! Take care my friend.
@@chewysfirewood1434 That is my average price $400. I’m at $360 if they pick up $405 delivered plus mileage then some bundle sales.
Do you have a channel?
@@OGAOutdoors I have one started but no video posts yet. Still trying to decide if I want to or not. I am pushing 25 cords for this year. Using a big box store Champion splitter but have an Ultra coming in October. Hoping to increase my output. Have a 6x10 dump trailer that I bought last year with money from sales. Run mostly Husky saws but do have cs 680 Echo that is pretty good.
If you sell or advertise too much, suddenly your hobby became a job. I for one would not want to make my 'fun hobby' a job.
Good advice Jeff. I feel I need to advertise to get more exposure so I can get top dollar. If that makes sense. Thanks for stopping by take care, Ben.
ᑭᖇOᗰOᔕᗰ
As much as you handle the wood you need $400 a cord. Work smarter, not harder.
I can’t remember what I did in the this video but I’m sure I touched it several times. I’ve changed several things that I used to do. I pretty much now try to always keep the splitter next to the stack and stack it as I split it.
@@OGAOutdoors stacking is a huge waste of time.
@@randygrider9758 I agree but with my setup it’s pretty much my only option. Currently.
@@OGAOutdoors You spend a lot of time stacking wood, that is where you waste effort. You can eliminate that.
@@randygrider9758 What do you recommend?
You didn’t sell much last year because your prices are 150% high. I wouldn’t pay more than 100.00 a chord for firewood,it’s NOT gold.
Thanks for watching hope you are having a great day. I wish you the best of luck finding a cord of firewood for $100. If you do please let me know because I’ll probably buy all they have. Merry Christmas God bless.
I would buy at 100.00 a cord and then resale at the going price in my area if you can even find it at 100.00. Good luck on that. Some people do not realize how much labor is involved in processing a cord.
@@brianwalters8302 I agree completely I’ll buy every cord I find for $100.
Not all hobbies make money, after all you live in Alabama.
Thanks again for watching. My hobby does make money. That said I’ve had several that didn’t make money.
$35 an hour is really good for firewood.
Thanks for watching. I’m pleased with it. Good to have a little extra side income. Take care, Ben.
He didn’t sell any last year I wonder why? Prices to high.