If you know what you're doing, selling firewood can provide you with a small to moderate supplementary income that will remain stable throughout the cold weather season.If you want to sell firewood in your state, prepare the wood and brush it up.You can begin selling your product once the details are worked out.
Step 1: The right tools are used.
Supplies will allow you to cut and transport firewood.A razor-sharp axe, a buck saw, and a Swede saw can be used with gasoline-powered chainsaws.If you have to drive a wedge, use a sledgehammer and maul.Since they can save a lot of time and energy, powered log splitters are very useful.If you want to expand your business, you'll need a low-boy trailer, not a pickup truck.
Step 2: There is a good source of firewood.
You can't cut down a tree.You need to get firewood from a legal source.If there are no laws preventing you from cutting down trees on your own property, they are usually fine.You can usually find marked trees in a national forest.Thin, dead, and dying trees on private forests are usually okay.The excess wood is usually thrown away.Offer to remove trees that fall after a storm.
Step 3: The bark needs to be removed.
It is usually easier to legally ship firewood to a larger customer base if you treat it.The simplest way to treat firewood is to remove the outer layers.You have to remove the bark and cambium layer if you choose this option.
Step 4: You can use a kiln drying treatment.
Another way to treat firewood for shipment out of the county is to use a kiln drying treatment, which dries the wood out and kills off many forms.The maximum thickness of wood is usually 3 inches.To heat the wood to a minimum temperature, use steam, hot water, or a kiln.The temperature should be maintained for at least 75 minutes.
Step 5: The wood should be kept in dry conditions.
Store the firewood in neatly stacked bundles in a dry place.firewood should be elevated off the ground so that it doesn't get wet.If you have to store firewood outside, keep a tarp or similar covering over the piles to keep out the rain.
Step 6: Obtain approval from the state.
Every state requires you to fill out an application to sell firewood.Obtain the application, fill it out, sign it, and take it to a state office for approval.After being approved, you will be issued a stamp or tickets that can be used to label or bundle.Your name will be added to a list of approved vendors.Each county will need a separate application for each type of firewood.
Step 7: You can renewal your application every year.
Since firewood sources and other details can change on a yearly basis, you will need to reapply as a vendor.Make sure your application is renewed on time.The deadline usually arrives in early to mid-fall.
Step 8: Don't sell firewood outside of the state.
While some states will allow you to move firewood past state lines when strict conditions are followed, most states strongly discourage it, so it is easier and safer to only sell firewood locally.Firewood can easily be used to transport insects.If you sell firewood from your state to someone in another state, it could spread the problem.Since the insect will not be native to that area, there won't be many natural predators to help reduce the population.
Step 9: The firewood should be packaged in cord-based units.
You can only sell firewood in full or partial cords in most states.A cord is a stack of firewood.A half cord is 19.5% larger than a quarter cord.If the total volume equals the correct amount, the dimensions of the pile don't need to be precise.The stack could be wide, high, and long, but it could also be 2 feet (0.61 meters) wide.You can't use terms like "face cord" or "rack" to sell firewood.
Step 10: Pay taxes.
When you apply for permission to sell firewood, you also become a small business, no matter how much firewood you sell.You will have to pay small business taxes.You will have to pay self-employment taxes.If you make less than a certain amount, you don't own business tax, but the income will still be taxed.The amount can be different from state to state.
Step 11: Don't focus on the wrong time of year.
During the late fall, winter, and early spring, people are more interested in buying firewood.It is possible to sell wood during other times of the year, but you will make the most money when the weather is cold.If the temperatures are supposed to stay low for several days, then sudden drops in temperature will increase your sales even more.
Step 12: Put a sign up.
The most traditional way to sell firewood is this one.Put a "Firewood for Sale" sign on the nearest road.Those who pass the sign should have a phone number.A roadside stand is another take on this principle.There is a "for sale" sign on the truck or trailer that you parked along the street.
Step 13: You can place an ad in the newspaper.
Placing a small ad in your local newspaper will help some since most of your firewood sales will come from local sources.The ad should state "Firewood for sale" and include your phone number.
Step 14: Get the word out.
One of the best marketing resources a small business has is word of mouth.Encourage your customers to spread the word to their friends if you make them happy.It is possible to let your friends, relatives, coworkers, and acquaintances know about your business.Business cards can be printed up.Send a business card with each delivery to potential interested parties.
Step 15: You can sell online.
If you only intend to sell firewood locally, having a sales presence on the internet is a good idea.Customers can make purchases online by setting up a website.You can make a page for your firewood business on social media.You can post an ad on a website.
Step 16: Delivery services can be offered.
If you sell firewood from home, most buyers will call in their orders and ask you to deliver the wood they buy.Customers want a fast delivery since most firewood is purchased during cold days.Make sure you have enough time to make the delivery and give estimates that will give you more time.If you think you can deliver firewood the next day, you should still say it will take three or four days.Getting something early doesn't bother someone as much as getting something late does.
Step 17: Provide a receipt to the buyer.
Most states require you to give each customer a receipt when they make a purchase.The seller and buyer's names, addresses, and phone numbers should be included in the receipt.The price and amount of wood should be noted.The date of delivery or shipment is included.
Step 18: The list of customers should be kept.
You should keep a list of every customer who has bought firewood from you.Call these customers early in the cold season to ask them to purchase from you again.A customer who wants to be removed from your list should not be on it.