How much should I charge?

[Backwoods Savage]

I'm thinking of having a couple fellows come in to cut their own wood. They would have to cut dead ash and elm only and would have to have a way to get the wood out as almost all of it is not accessible to a pickup and not even that great for a tractor. An atv works nice. I suppose I could always let them use the atv and trailer or use their own atv and could use my trailer.

So, how much should I charge if I let someone in to cut? I was thinking of charging by the pickup load rather than so much per cord.

 

[Battenkiller]

I know I'd have no problem paying $30 for a full-size pickup load. I can get half a cord neatly stacked in a full-size bed. That's $60/cord... a little bit less than I'd have to pay to get wood by the log load, but I'd want a break for having to fell, clean up, and transport the wood myself.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Batten, I don't think I'd even consider charging that much for a load of wood unless I did the cutting. Actually, I was thinking somewhere around $10-$15.00.

 

[geoffm24]

Sounds like a real PITA to get that wood out of there and very few people like elm so I wouldn't be surprised if most people wouldn't take you up on this even if it was free. Maybe you could get a very minimal fee. I certainly wouldn't pay $30 and truck load for all that work and a mixture of good and bad wood.

 

[vvvv]

insurance coverage might be of concern...vvv

 

[BrotherBart]

Tell'em what kind of new saw chain to bring you.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Sounds like a real PITA to get that wood out of there and very few people like elm so I wouldn't be surprised if most people wouldn't take you up on this even if it was free. Maybe you could get a very minimal fee. I certainly wouldn't pay $30 and truck load for all that work and a mixture of good and bad wood.

Not true about the elm being a pita. Our elm knows better than to be hard to split. Really, dead elm with the bark off splits pretty easy and burns much better than if you cut and split it green. Also, there would not be a mixture of good and bad wood. It would all be good wood or I would not even consider trying to sell it. One more point is if someone insisted on all ash or all elm, I'd consider that. I might even sell the elm at a lower price just because it is smaller trees.

 

[geoffm24]

Sounds like a real PITA to get that wood out of there and very few people like elm so I wouldn't be surprised if most people wouldn't take you up on this even if it was free. Maybe you could get a very minimal fee. I certainly wouldn't pay $30 and truck load for all that work and a mixture of good and bad wood.

Not true about the elm being a pita. Our elm knows better than to be hard to split. Really, dead elm with the bark off splits pretty easy and burns much better than if you cut and split it green. Also, there would not be a mixture of good and bad wood. It would all be good wood or I would not even consider trying to sell it. One more point is if someone insisted on all ash or all elm, I'd consider that. I might even sell the elm at a lower price just because it is smaller trees.

I just meant PITA to get. I'm sure it isn't punky but lots of guys consider Elm bad wood.

 

[hoosierhick]

Do you know them? If you do , do you trust them? If they pass both those tests maybe theirs some kind trade you can make.
Doesn't sound like you need the cash.

 

[struggle]

If you charge and they have an accident you will be liable no matter what you say.

IF you want the wood cleaned up allow them in for free.

Otherwise you are opening yourself up to a lot for very little money to be gained.

 

[golfandwoodnut]

How about selling some of you fine cut, split, stacked and seasoned wood for a good price, then cut it yourself?

 

[golfandwoodnut]

How about selling some of you fine cut, split, stacked and seasoned wood for a good price, then cut it yourself?

 

[vvvv]

check ur ins. policy insofar if it covers someone getting hurt on ur property & for what reason..........good lux

 

[Bspring]

A lawyer would tell you that it is not a good idea to charge them anything without them signing a waver. For the small fee that you are thinking about you might come out better suggesting they make a donation as they leave.

 

['bert]

Dennis, having read so many of your posts over the past few years, I am sure your approaching this with the idea of trying to help people out more so then to make any real money at it.

But I am concerned that your good hearted intent will end up getting you sued after some dolt drops a tree on his buddy or cuts his / her leg off with the saw. I for sure would not let some JA overload my quad trailer for $ 10 or $ 15 rent and end up with a busted up trailer and only $ 10 to fix it.

If you need the wood removed, have someone do it, pay them, sell the wood to cover the costs or do it your self and just sell off the wood.

Not sure the gains are worth the risk in this situation. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Battenkiller]

Dang.... double post again. Second time today and the earlier one was a first on this board.

Must be the Talisker messing with my brain cells. :shut:

 

[Battenkiller]

Batten, I don't think I'd even consider charging that much for a load of wood unless I did the cutting. Actually, I was thinking somewhere around $10-$15.00.

20 years ago I was paying $20 for a pickup load I cut from tops dumped by tree services on vacant land. I didn't have to fell the trees or pickup after, but it was still a lot of work at the end of the day. It sure beat paying the going rate at the time in my area - $75/cord.

Wish you were closer, you're a very generous man.

 

[golfandwoodnut]

Dennis, here is what some people do around here. Let them take some for free and leave you some. You decide the percentage, 1/3, etc. Then you could always sell it later, or give it away, or burn it of course..

 

[Flatbedford]

How do you feel about the liability of having people cutting on your property? In this litigious society I would be concerned.

 

[Battenkiller]

In this litigious society I would be concerned.

Heck, someone could come in and steal your wood in the middle of the night and hurt themselves and you'd still get sued. Happens all the time. I couldn't live my life effectively if I spent my energy worrying about these scenarios.

 

[golfandwoodnut]

I know a friend of mine works for a company that owns alot of land. They allow people to go in and cut wood, however they have them sign a release form first. I think that would be adequate, as Battenkiller said you cannot worry about everything. Unfortuneately our country club is that way. They have tons of primo wood laying around, they even had a bunch of trees harvested and just burned the branches for fear of getting sued if someone got hurt cutting the wood. They even shut down the water fountains for drinking because of fear of bacteria in the lines. Now we have to be sure to get water before we go on the course. Sorry, I have to let my golfer side come out sometimes.

 

[savageactor7]

Savage today our lives are ruled under the tyranny of parasite lawyers. Rather than taking cash you might want to take it out in trade. Like for every 3 loads you get 1...or whatever you want.

 

[kenny chaos]

I vote for doing it on shares.

 

[Backwoods Savage]

Some good ideas.

As for cutting on shares, I really do not need any more wood so I'd rather stay away from that if possible. I could print up a wavier to have them sign I suppose. Will check on that.

As for who would be cutting, for sure I know them and would not allow anyone I don't know do any cutting.

What do you guys think of this idea? My wife is in need of some new dentures. I'm considering a trade here. I'll supply the guy with wood (I've already supplied him with some) and he makes the dentures.

 

[Battenkiller]

What do you guys think of this idea? My wife is in need of some new dentures. I'm considering a trade here. I'll supply the guy with wood (I've already supplied him with some) and he makes the dentures.

Well, I don't know... Is the guy a dentist? ;-P

If so, it sounds like a very good deal. If not... well, just remind her that George Washington had wooden teeth.