Planing Small Beams

[TimW]

I have a potential customer that wants 3x9x9 beams.  At first she wanted 2x12x8.  Then she realized I can saw exactly what she needs.  It is a small order of 14 beams.  I called and talked to her.  She sounds like an artist or interior decorator.  She then mentioned Cedar and wanted it in that.  I explained I don't have that big or enough ERC onhand and that would be 3x the price I quoted for pine..
  We settled on a price and now she wants them planed.  I have never cut and planed undried SYP.  Can it be done?  The trees were cut down about a month ago.   Also, I think she said her budget is $20 a board.
What is a good price per board feet for planing 3x9x9s?  This would be my first ever planing for a customer.

[beenthere]

Do what you want, but I would tell her the bandsaw cut is likely going to be good enough and be $25 per beam but you would settle for $20. 
That the planing would be an extra charge if needed.

[doc henderson]

If i charge, it is 100 bucks and hour.  unloading loading, debating what they want.  planning.  If they help it goes faster so they can save some money.  if you provide the log then there should be something for that.  by the board foot, the customer may pay a lot for 4 cuts to get to the final dimension of the beam.  make something for yourself and I am sure you will be fair.

[scsmith42]

You're going to have problems attempting to plane green material. There will be lots of tear-out and it usually does not go well.

I would pass on planing if I were you. At $1 per board foot, you're ok on the price for milling the pine but no way would I plane them too.

[GAB]

Tim:
The  3x9x9 beams: Are those dimensions intended to be off the mill or is that supposed to be a dried and finished dimension?

Scott:
Would sanding cause as much tearout as planing?
GAB

[TimW]

3x9x9 finished dimension.
I'm not gonna sand anything.

[TimW]

You're going to have problems attempting to plane green material. There will be lots of tear-out and it usually does not go well.

I would pass on planing if I were you. At $1 per board foot, you're ok on the price for milling the pine but no way would I plane them too.

I agree on not planing them.  She called when I was knee high in sawdust and really, I don't think that fast on my feet.  I need to hunker down and cogitate on it.  Once I got to the house and started this thread, I realized......You don't plane green wood.

[scsmith42]

Tim:
The  3x9x9 beams: Are those dimensions intended to be off the mill or is that supposed to be a dried and finished dimension?

Scott:
Would sanding cause as much tearout as planing?
GAB

No, but green pine will really gum up the sandpaper quickly.