Asking for firewood bids on craigslist

[SlyFerret]

I'm thinking of posting an "want to buy" ad on Craigslist for firewood. I want to get bids from dealers for 5 cords, cut/split/delivered firewood.

Have any of you guys tried that tactic? Did you manage to get a better deal that way?

5 cords would more than cover me for next year, enabling me to get ahead so that I can scrounge all the way through the summer/fall knowing that the wood that I'm gathering will have an entire year to season before I need it.

If I get it ordered now, It'll probably be OK to burn next winter.

-SF

 

[stockdoct]

I directly contacted 5 tree-service companies in town, telling them I wanted C/S/S wood in a large quantity. One of them responded and delivered 3 cords to me in one massive delivery. He also said he'd deliver to me some softwood for free this summer "better than driving it to the dump".

Nice guys to work with, and next years firewood is all done. But I'm determined never to pay for firewood again it was so painful on my wallet.

 

[SlyFerret]

Hmm... good idea. I don't mind if I have to stack it. I'll be more fussy about how it's stacked than the delivery guy anyway.

-SF

 

[stockdoct]

My suggestion to you would be for you to stack it with him, and then pay him based on the actual number of cords. Most tree service guys deliver firewood by the facecord (1/3 cord) and when you ask to have 10 x that delivered, they've never done that before. He may say "I'll bring a dump truck full" but since he's never done this before, he has no idea what the dump truck will hold.

I paid a flat fee for "a dump truck" full, but when we stacked it, it was almost a cord less than what we thought. I wish I would have pre-arranged to pay by the cord and paid him after it was all stacked. Stupid me; sometimes the learning curve costs money.

But I'm happy I have 3 cords set away for next year already ..... and I'm working like hell to get another year or two on my own.

 

[pinewoodburner]

I have done that before. Asked for quotes to pick up 1 cord. Got about 8 responses.

 

[Hiram Maxim]

I post for free wood from tree services and residents in the area. I state that I will take any logs 16" to 18" in length and no larger than 24" in diameter.
It really depends on the area you live in but around me people would rather just get rid of the stuff. I have ended up with over a full cord in my driveway this spring from tree services.
I have also been getting cut and split wood from locals.

 

[SlyFerret]

I think I'll post and see if I get any bites.

-MG

 

[daveswoodhauler]

Another option would just be to send a quick nice letter to 3-5 tree companies in your area. Might not get a response right away, so perhaps a follow up phone call about a week later? Some folks look all the time on Craiglist...but some others probably don't even know what Craigslist is.
Always ran into better deals when I made some calls versus posting an ad...just my thoughts though....some folks here have scored some great deals with CL.
Good luck.

 

[SlyFerret]

I'm looking to purchase a load CSD so that I can get it stacked and drying for next year.

That way, as I continue to get wood over the summer, I can relax, knowing I'm a year ahead.

I'll definitely talk to some local tree services though.

-SF

 

[daveswoodhauler]

I'm looking to purchase a load CSD so that I can get it stacked and drying for next year.

That way, as I continue to get wood over the summer, I can relax, knowing I'm a year ahead.

I'll definitely talk to some local tree services though.

-SF

Talking to the tree companies is a good idea....if you have a place for them to drop it at your house, just let them know that if they are in the area and have a real small load to small for them to process, they will probably just give it to you. Small batches works good for me...not too overwhelming seeing 3 cords that is just beggin ya to stack it.
Let us know how it goes.

 

[Hiram Maxim]

I'm looking to purchase a load CSD so that I can get it stacked and drying for next year.

That way, as I continue to get wood over the summer, I can relax, knowing I'm a year ahead.

I'll definitely talk to some local tree services though.

-SF

Talking to the tree companies is a good idea....if you have a place for them to drop it at your house, just let them know that if they are in the area and have a real small load to small for them to process, they will probably just give it to you. Small batches works good for me...not too overwhelming seeing 3 cords that is just beggin ya to stack it.
Let us know how it goes.

Absolutely!
I have scored 90% of my wood from either tree services or neighbors that are getting trees cut down, go and directly talk to them about get some wood.....

I ask the tree service nicely about getting some wood, say must cost you guys a small fortune to haul that wood off, isn't the price of diesel ridiculous? And ask them what kind of beer they like? ;-P

Worked my butt off last year to get ahead of the game.

 

[SlyFerret]

Got one bid back already from one dealer. $130 /cord cut/split/delivered/stacked

That's the price on his website. Photos of his product look pretty good. I may see if I can stop by and take a look to see exactly what he's selling.

-SF

 

[Hiram Maxim]

Got one bid back already from one dealer. $130 /cord cut/split/delivered/stacked

That's the price on his website. Photos of his product look pretty good. I may see if I can stop by and take a look to see exactly what he's selling.

-SF

That's a damn good price.....$43 and some change, a face cord.

Yesterday I drove by a place that had firewood and they wanted $85 a face cord, no discount for a full cord............... Holy cow!

crappy looking wood too!

 

[Stevebass4]

Got one bid back already from one dealer. $130 /cord cut/split/delivered/stacked

That's the price on his website. Photos of his product look pretty good. I may see if I can stop by and take a look to see exactly what he's selling.

-SF

great price compared to here in the NE - we're still at 250 / 300 a cord

 

[daveswoodhauler]

Got one bid back already from one dealer. $130 /cord cut/split/delivered/stacked

That's the price on his website. Photos of his product look pretty good. I may see if I can stop by and take a look to see exactly what he's selling.

-SF

great price compared to here in the NE - we're still at 250 / 300 a cord

Ouch, my guy is at $175 cord in Central Mass....green, but all hardwood with full cords....doesn't stack it though.

 

[LLigetfa]

Nor delivered or stacked but they help load it for $75 if it's to be believed to be a full cord and not a face cord or bush cord or stove cord or musical chord.

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewreply/401928/

 

[newstove]

Yup, I've found here in Central MA green hardwood in the range of $150-$175/cord, cut/split/delivered.

There is one guy on craigslist delivering 1/2 cords of Oak Rounds for $40 plus $1/mile from Rutland. To me, that works out to be about $65/half-cord, or $130/cord, but I would still have to do all the splitting. For an extra $20, I get order it already split. Not such a deal, but I suppose I could use the exercise. ;-)

I've got 4 cords stacked and drying now (bought 3 more just to be safe, scrounged the rest) and still have about 1/2 to 1 cord left to split/stack (scrounged maple/oak - nice stuff.)

I've been debating on if I should buy another few cords to get them drying for the following year (I don't think I'll go through more than 4 cords this year), or just keep scrounging as time permits. Plus, I know some of the oak I just started drying won't be ready, but I figure I have at least 3.5-4 cords that will be easily ready (ash/maple that is already pretty dry.)

 

[bgoodwithwood]

I cannot understand why the price for green is staying so high. You would think with the end of the heating season and all the downed trees around central mass (I live in Shrewsbury) that prices would start to drift lower. Last year got 2 cords C/S/D for 150 a cord. Same guy yesterday is hanging firm at 220. . . quite a sizable leap. I wonder if the Asian Beetle thing is helping to keep the prices high.

 

[newstove]

Agreed. I'm trying to figure out which direction it is going to go, and debating on if I should just load up on a few more cords now while I know I can get it for $150-$175/cord green, and let it season a year or two more. I suppose I have time to wait and see how much I can manage to come across first.

My next door neighbor just picked up 9 cords, log-length. Last year he paid $700 for the same load. This year, same supplier, same load, $1100.