Flooring & Pricing

Kirk_Allen · July 10, 2005, 09:50:04 AM

Got a call today from a guy that has rough cut walnut and wants a price on making T&G Flooring. The wood will have to be cut to length, joined one side, ripped to width, planed and then T&G.

Any input on what would be a fair price for all that is appreciated.

Brad_S. · July 10, 2005, 10:04:24 AM

Kirk,

I'm always sending people here from over 'there', so here's one time I'll refer someone back. :D
http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/swmf.pl?read=415305

Not a whole lot of info but I'm sure every little bit will help you come to a decision.

woodmills1 · July 11, 2005, 07:43:02 AM

It is hard to price jobs like this one. You could price it at say 50 percent of the value of the finished product, which I would estimate at around 8 bucks per square foot for walnut flooring. If I did it that way I would use the full size to calculate not the installed size.

A local lumber yard charges 100 dollars per hour to rip stock then pass it through their 4 sided planer moulder. The machine is fast so thats why the high per hour figure.

The last job I did like this was done on an hourly charge of $50 per, which added around 5 dollars per bd ft to the product, though it isn't a real good comparison as there was a lot of time taken up producing a 16" wide shelf by glue up and a baseboard moulding as well as the T and G. Both the shelf and baseboard I also sanded.

Fla._Deadheader · July 11, 2005, 10:10:54 AM

Kirk, just call a local milling shop. They do all that stuff, and tell them ya got so many feet of whatever and need a "Rough" price on them doing it. ;) ;D

Frank_Pender · July 11, 2005, 10:29:00 AM

Out here, Kirk, I get the planing and t & g run for $.25 a running foot. For the end trimming they charge by the hour at $50.

flip · July 11, 2005, 10:31:07 AM

Speaking of which...How does one cut the flooring out of a log? Do you saw 2 or 3 cants out, say 4X10 then cut 1" out 10 4" strips? (Assuming you are wanting 3" wide boards) I also read at the other site to figure for 30% waste from start to finish. My plan once I get my mill up and running is to start cutting out flooring and trim blanks for a house remodel.

Kirk_Allen · July 11, 2005, 05:32:03 PM

HorseLogger came to the rescue. He does this stuff a bunch and is set up with a 5 head shaper and can crank it out. He is going to call the customer direct and see if he can be of service. I quoted him $.25 per Lft for planing, ripping, joining, and then $.35 for T&G.

WORKED OUT GREAT! After telling the guy I thought Horselogger could do a much better job of it at a better price the guy fell out of his seat in shock that I would refer him to someone else instead of trying to get the job.

I am so busy and dont really have time for a job like that right now and besides, as a local in a small town the last thing I need is an unhappy customer.

Well, he is happy. He called back and asked if I ever need any Hedge trees (Osage). I told him I am ALWAYS interested in Osage. He said he would sell his to me for cottonwood prices since its junk wood.. He set the price at $.18-.20 cents bf based on what DNR has on there web page.

I went and looked at them a few minutes ago. WOW. 30-40" WHOPPERS! We are going to meet saturday and determine what I am going to cut.

8) 8)

Buzz-sawyer · July 11, 2005, 05:39:05 PM

Kirk..that 18-20 cents is him cutting them, skidding and F.O.B ..........delivered to your mill.......STANDING timber is about 6-8 cents. ;)

Kirk_Allen · July 11, 2005, 06:06:54 PM

That is him cutting them down. They are 50 yards off the road and he wants the branches for firewood.

Trust me! I am not going to buy standing timber as I dont have a Timber license. ;D