blaggy111

According to my maths that means you got around £18 an hour for your time. Which sounds OK to me!

Hard graft though, not sure I could do it full time

If you are buying it in at the 'going rate' then the only saving to be made is the element of profit that you would have paid to your local 'professional' log dealer and that is only the case if you can cut, split, stack, store, season and move them as efficiently as they do (which is unlikely).

 

Don't kid yourself you can save money unless you consider your own time to be worthless. If you have not yet purchased any kit then the cheapest option would be an artic of Latvia's finest - they are not bothered whether it is going to a dealer or end user.

 

However, there is great satisfaction in the whole process of preparing your own firewood and it can potentially justify quite a few toys that might not otherwise be allowed. So good luck to you and enjoy yourself!

I had to change my original idea due to a cash flow prob, so I bought some arb waste instead plus a tree from a work mates house I dismantled for him. There was roughly 6 ton in all, took me around 20 hrs to saw, chop and stack approx 10-11 cubic metres of logs mainly hardwood, probably 80/20 mix. Round here its around 60 to 80 quid a cubic bag. The wood I bought cost 240. Even at 60 a cube I've made a reasonable saving, plus a few good workouts thrown in!

I can see why Logsnstuff is upset I get sick of people wanting to buy "cheap cord wood for my own use" when I say yes can deliver 12 tonne at £60 a tonne plus vat they say oh no that's not cheap I wanted anything I can saw up delivered for a few quid. It does your head in.

I can understand folk being annoyed with that but I was after buying the wood at the going rate not trying to get it on the cheap. Just asked for any possible contacts, to help me on my way.

My original post was about buying a lorry load of timber, to process myself. Due to a problem with finances I've changed my plan and I am buying in small loads of arb waste to fill my log sheds gradually, I can't afford to pay for full price logs so this is what I do to save money. Not quite sure why the thread as been derailed. I work as a bricklayer and I've lost count of the jobs I've priced only to be told they can do it cheaper themselves or their cousin or brother can do it cheaper, its just how it is, if I can do something myself why shouldn't I, to save a bit of money.

Same here, I usually work Saturdays to keep the cash flowing, if I'm not I'll try and put some firewood in the shed, working to save money is the same as being paid to work. Also I enjoy the odd day sawing and chopping logs.

I have asked about, area I'm in there's a lot of people on solid fuel so most guys I've spoke to either log it up or have their regulars who take the rougher stuff off their hands.

Yes you're right there. We're renting the place, single glaze windows no wall insulation, if I keep fire in it stays warm but at a cost, but its on a private country estate, very quiet/peaceful wouldn't want to move.

Wish this was happening round my way I'd be there every day, running my fire through winter can be a problem. Stone house with solid walls, the fire won't go out for 3 months, get through a builders bag a week so any free logs helps keep my costs down, I can get a bag of silver birch for 40 quid, but £40/week is a lot for me. Even timber you see as low quality can be chopped, stacked and dried to make acceptable firewood.

Having had a rough old year so far, money wise, my idea of buying a full load has gone on the back burner. Still on the lookout for a cheap source of firewood I have bought a few loads of mixed arb waste. Had 3 loads about 1.5 ton per load at 80 quid a time plus a free load of silver birch from a tree I dismantled for a work mate. I think about 6 ton in total has created 10ish stacked cubic meters of logs, do these figures sound about right?

Thanks for everyone's input and for the numbers/names passed on to me. Just need to get the cash together and let the hard work begin!

I can get you timber on the deck for £63 a tonne I'm not making I'll give you numbers of forester and transport they will both want paying up front[/quote

Is that 63 quid delivered? Sorry if that's a daft question, any names numbers would be a help, cheers.

I've used a forestry haulier to deliver oak for milling. I know he operates between Derbyshire and Mid Wales, but probably elsewhere too.

 

Depending on distance I've paid £12-£20 a tonne haulage between 25 and 100 miles, including time spent picking thru stacks in the wood to get the best timbers for my purposes, so may be cheaper for firewood, but don't quote me on that.

 

You might be looking at £65 a tonne plus vat delivered in, depending on what he knows about in your area. If it's personal firewood the VAT would only be 5%. I've had decent hardwood logs at £45 a tonne plus haulage and vat.

 

No affiliation, just been very happy with what his company has done for me so don't mind saying so.

 

I probably shouldn't pass on his details over a public forum without his permission, but if you're interested I could give him a call and ask him if it's ok to pass on his number, which I'm sure it will be.

 

Oli

If you could get a number/name it would be appreciated, cheers.

Its good to have peoples opinions on this, given me a few things to think about. It won't be a sole operation as my brother going in halves with me (money and graft to get it into logs) I'm pretty set on doing this, but if it doesn't work out how I expect its not the end of the world.

Thanks for the input everyone. Not scared of the hard work, just trying to save a bit of cash, seems harder and harder to get logs at a reasonable price around our way. During the winter I could get through a bulk bag a week.

Hi there, I'm new to the forum, I am looking into producing my own logs for personal use. Me and my brother are trying to reduce the cost of heating our homes by buying in the timber and processing it ourselves, we would be be looking at buying a full lorry load ( 25t ish of hardwood) once a year. We are in the north notts area, if anyone can supply us please let me know, cheers.