Chainsaw mill price per bd ft

[tyb525]

Hey guys, I was just cutting some lumber with my chainsaw mill. A fellow had stopped and asked me if I was interested in cutting a honey locust in his yard that was going to be cut down by the power company. I said I would give him a call. I don't know what size the tree is, I haven't even seen it yet.

My question is, what is a fair price per bd. ft. with a chainsaw mill cutting locust?

Do I add up the gas and oil used per board plus some more for time and multiply that by the total number of boards? What about cost for sharpening my chains?

I know it's not the ideal way to cut up a tree, and I'm not looking to make a lot of profit as it's more of a novelty thing.

I'm sure someone on here cuts lumber for people with their cs mill, and if they could give me some tips, I would appreciate it.

[Dan_Shade]

have you sawn any honey locust before?

chainsaw mills are brutal to use, I'd go look and see how big the tree is before getting too carried away...

[Raphael]

What sort of CS mill are you running?
I'd charge by the hour and ignore the bd ft count...

What little CS milling I've done for other people was either very custom (three, five and eight sided timbers) or done for free.

[Brad_S.]

I've always had a peeve about inefficient mills charging more than the going rate just because it takes longer. If this is a log that could be cut on a standard mill, IMO, and my opinion only, you should not charge more than the going boardfoot rate in your area.

[Dan_Shade]

I disagree, Brad, a larger mill is more efficient allowing cheaper per BF prices.  I think charging per hour is a good idea.

If you feel guilty about your rates, you could always see if you can find somebody around with a bandsaw or something that can help him out.

[tyb525]

After giving it some thought, I think I'm going to charge by the hour. But I still have to see the tree before I can be sure.
I have Granberg's small log mill and a 20" 036. I can cut over 20" diameter log by cutting 2 or three slabs off the sides, but much bigger than that I won't do. I'm only using it to cut lumber for my personal use, until I get a small sawmill. I've never cut for a customer before, so I'm not sure how it will turn out.

I think I should tell him about the pros (extremely portable, don't have to move the log, lighter weight) and cons (slow, loud, large kerf) of a cs mill. If he is concerned about the kerf loss and wants the most lumber out of it and/or is in a hurry, then I have the numbers of several sawmills around here.

He was interested in having me mill it, because he wouldn't have to move the log.

I know honey locust is hard, but I've only cut it for firewood. I know it's a lot harder when it dries.

I'll make my decision (and he can make his) on whether or not I want to cut it when I see how big this tree is. I don't plan on doing this much anyways. I am still trying to decide if I want to cut this tree for profit, or maybe we could work out some other kind of deal.

I'll let you guys know when I find more stuff out.

As always, I appreciate your feedback!

[Ironwood]

No offense to Brad, Charge what the guy is willing to pay. Who cares what others are charging. Get what you can. By the hour makes sense. I have charged $75 hour free hand cutting "wood cookies" for an estate owner who wanted access to my 6' bar. Charge what the market will bear. Good for you. By the way cutting the locust will put some wear on your machine for sure. Play that card. If he had another way t oget to a mill. or bring a mill to him he would do it. It is likely you will save him a "roll back" tow truck mobilization fee, which could be $75-150 depending on urban or rural setting. I charge $75 an hour to mobilize others logs, lumber what ever they need craned, trucked or moved. I don't get a ton of that work, but that is what it is worth to me, they can go somewhere else if they dont like the fee.

   Ironwood

[ErikC]

 I would go hourly also. A couple of advantages are yours, despite the slow cutting. No equipment in the yard, the boards could be carried out so not even a truck needs to come in the yard if he doesn't want one. You could also cut something longer than normal if it's needed. Might as well charge for your unique capabilities. 

[beenthere]

I think if I were using this as a learning experience, I'd set a rate and tell him I'd give him the first hour no-charge. After that, this is the rate, if he wants me to stick with it.

That let's both of you see what you are getting in to...seeing as you don't know either.

[Dan_Shade]

that's a good idea, beenthere.  Especially if it's close by

[Meadows Miller]

Gday

Tyb "The Young Bloke"  ;) :D ;D ;D
You are on the rite track mate I do all my smaller jobs by the hour sawmill from $77 to $110 per hour on my own and planing at $55 to $ 66 per hour  ;) depending on the size of the job and how rough the wood is eg clean or durty  ;) ;D
when i use to do the Csm milling before we got the Band mill it was $40 per hour plus  Chain and fuel/oil wear and tare costs but that was over 13 years ago  ;) :D ;D
just work out somthing that is inline with your local sevice industry costs eg lawn care ect and go from there  ;) keep up the good work mate

Reguards Chris

[tyb525]

Thanks Chris 

Beenthere I like your idea also.
The tree is within a few miles of me, but I don't know the exact location yet. I still have to call the guy. If/when I do it I'll take pictures.

[mike_van]

tyb, I don't know if honey locust is as hard as the black locust we have, but my bandmill blades only last half as long in locust compared to anything else we have. Hard or softwood.  I don't know why they call it "black locust" either, as it's really green inside.

[Raphael]

tyb, I don't know if honey locust is as hard as the black locust we have, but my bandmill blades only last half as long in locust compared to anything else we have.

Does that include Shag Bark Hickory, that's about the worst I've had to deal with in terms of blade wear..  Fortunately for tyb Honey Locust is a lot less dense (and less rot resistant) than the black...

[tyb525]

No, honey locust isn't as hard as black, but it is hard. Now as Raphael mentioned, if it was Shagbark I wouldn't mess with it. 

[WDH]

Y'all can have the hickories.  All of them, shagbark, shellbark, mockernut, pignut, etc.  They produce good squirrel food, and that is what I intend to to do with most of the ones on my Tree Farm .

[footer]

I've always had a peeve about inefficient mills charging more than the going rate just because it takes longer. If this is a log that could be cut on a standard mill, IMO, and my opinion only, you should not charge more than the going boardfoot rate in your area.

And what if there is no one else in your area doing it. I hava a  manual lt40 and it takes me longer than a hydraulic mill, but if they dont want to pay me a fair amount for my time, then they can just go without. I have better things t do with my time than bust my ass for 20 to 30 cents a bdft. Dont get  me wrong, I dont try and rip anyone off, but I feel like I am doing a service to people that is just not offered by anyone else in the area.If they want to pay me a decent wage for the use of my equipment and knowledge as a sawyer, than I will make time for it, if not, they will have to do without. Most of the time, i end up charging less than my estimate, and most of the time, the guy ends up paying me more than I ask for.

[backwoods sawyer]

I have both bandmill and chainsaw mill and the charge is the same for cutting all hardwoods, $60.00 an hour.
The going rate depends on the area you are in. I charge the same rate as the person running the backhoe does. You are providing a specialty service with the knowledge and the equipment to do the job. Be fair in your price and work hard while on the clock, what more can any one expect.

[mike_van]

I can't say on the hickory Rafe, all mine goes in the firewood pile.  I've never had anyone ask for it as lumber.  Locust, like ash is a pretty dry wood, not much moisture in it to begin with. Probably a lot of blade wear just due to that.