Firewood prices

[Zenfordinner]

Well having just had a letter from the electricity company telling me they're putting 13% on the price, I can't see a problem with the price of logs going up to. After all, energy is traded on the world market. That's whe the increase in prices of gas, oil and coal thanks to the Chinese demand is affecting the cost of my electricity, despite the fact that the company I buy it from only buys renewably sourced electricity. Problem is, when the price of gas generated lekky goes up, the wholesalers buy up renewables, pushing the price up.

 

Demand for wood fuel is likely to increase. The Forestry Commission seem to be pinning there hopes for the future of forestry on building the wood fuel market on the back of sustainable sourced wood fuel being near carbon neutral. I think you can expect to see increased prices for logs in the next few years, alongside increased markets. Given the work that goes into producing logs, it wouldn't surprise me at all if many arbs started to sell their unprocessed cord straight into chip processing plants as the wood fuel supply infrastructure develops. I'd question whether smaller setups can actually add enough value to the wood to justify the labour by converting it themselves.

 

By the way Zenfordinner, what rate of VAT are you charging. Logs are fuel, so if your selling to domestic customers it should be the lower rate of 5%.

 

5%, as you say.

[igottacabstar]

I sell a level load of split logs in the back of my Cabstar for £90. The wood is a mixture of hard and soft and is stored outside in my yard for a year in the round then split to order (stored in the round so it is less likely to go walkies - if you know what I mean). To be honest I haven't got a clue what the moisture content of the logs would be and I don't think many of my customers would either! Still, I sell around 35-40 loads per season and people keep coming back for more!

[Dean Lofthouse]

To be honest I haven't got a clue what the moisture content of the logs would be and I don't think many of my customers would either!

 

 

Moisture meters are cheap as chips, forget where I got mine now think it was maplins. If you quote moisture content in your logs it helps keep your existing customers, if someone tries to poach them.

 

Your customer, if educated by yourself, will ask the new potential log supplier what the moisture content of his logs are.

 

When the potentail log supplier stands there dumb founded, your customer will stay loyal to you.

 

Trust me, it works.

[18 stoner]

I sell a level load of split logs in the back of my Cabstar for £90. The wood is a mixture of hard and soft and is stored outside in my yard for a year in the round then split to order (stored in the round so it is less likely to go walkies - if you know what I mean). To be honest I haven't got a clue what the moisture content of the logs would be and I don't think many of my customers would either! Still, I sell around 35-40 loads per season and people keep coming back for more!

 

In my experience, your logs will dry out better split on the heap. If you can get over the security issue, you will end up with a dryer product after the same period.

[RPA]

Moisture meters are cheap as chips, forget where I got mine now think it was maplins. If you quote moisture content in your logs it helps keep your existing customers, if someone tries to poach them.

 

Your customer, if educated by yourself, will ask the new potential log supplier what the moisture content of his logs are.

 

When the potentail log supplier stands there dumb founded, your customer will stay loyal to you.

 

Trust me, it works.

 

This the sort of thing?

[ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Handheld-Wood-Moisture-Meter-MD-812/dp/B00118SL6A[/ame]

[Dean Lofthouse]

Yes Edenarb, thats the job.

 

Mine is the MO200 here:

 

http://www.burntecshop.co.uk/acatalog/copy_of_Moisture_Meters.html

 

I originally bought it for my own peace of mind so I knew when my logs were ready, I just split a log and test it in the middle.

[igottacabstar]

Moisture meters are cheap as chips, forget where I got mine now think it was maplins. If you quote moisture content in your logs it helps keep your existing customers, if someone tries to poach them.

 

Your customer, if educated by yourself, will ask the new potential log supplier what the moisture content of his logs are.

 

When the potentail log supplier stands there dumb founded, your customer will stay loyal to you.

 

Trust me, it works.

 

Yeah you got a point there, guess it would sound pretty impressive considering most log suppliers round here don't quote moisture content. Think I'll get one!

[surreyarborist]

Yep i will get one as well, but how long before Ken Livingstone bans log burning.

I have a loyal customer base who have converted to log burners.

Surrey rebels.

[surreyarborist]

For all you want to know about current wood biofuel lots of techq info.

More facts to dazzle the clients with.

http://www.usewoodfuel.co.uk/Index.stm

It appears the jocks are well on the ball on this one, well done.

Clive,

btw, Have a look at my custom built logstore in my pics I put on Arb Dogs thread.

[fifer2000]

I've been selling well seasoned hardwoods,mixed species for £50 a 'big bag'. bags are hand packed in the back of my sprinter van then unloaded by hand. It is labour intensive but I get the chance to chat to my customers,and I can still do 4 in a day comfortably. In September price will be going up to £60.Like a previous contributor stated gas oil and elec have taken huge jumps why shouldnt logs. Diesel goes up almost daily and thats the fuel I use to cut split and deliver. Oh yes,I charge delivery on a sliding scale outside my own immediate area. A few grumbles but no complaints. Cant do logs quick enough in my area.