I don’t understand why this channel doesn’t have many more subs ! Great content, consistent frequent delivery, great photography, excellent editing and subject matter encouraging capitalism, hard work and thrift. As a retired industrial photographer and one time firewood operator I think I can truly appreciate what Chris is balancing. Good job pard. We appreciate the long hours.
Chris, i know this is a 2 yr old video but i love your 5 tips, especially getting back with people. This stood out because i literally have had several businesses from various needs ignore me or not communicate. One was when i reached out for a new fireplace insert. I guess they dont want the 6-7k very bad lol. My grandpa just recently passed away and now i myself am trying to work up a plan to continue his firewood passion and one day turn it into a business. Hopefully i can use you and so many others experiences to my advantage. Thanks for this video, even though its dated.
I see you analyze every single aspect of the value proposition. Responsive, flexibility of time, quality of product, customization, etc. You focus on your core competency, and are better than every other business. I understand the mastery of this can be a lot of effort, but understanding the concept is using common sense. Come to think of it, common sense is so rare they should really call it a super power. You're an awesome business man. Thank you for your time!
U r totally right about people not calling back or calling back 2 or 3 days later . I live in orange county ny and yes I got mad and will not buy fire wood from anyone I rather pay for oil now . And I'm happy I found u and I'm a fan and will start cutting my own fire wood and thinking about selling also you are lighting a fire my my ass to do so
I really appreciate the "Be That GUY!" philosophy. I have used it for years with all 4 of my sons. When they are starting jobs or school or teams or whatever....I tell them..."Be That Guy!" Be there early. Stay the whole time. Do the best job. Work the hardest. Stay the longest. Be That Guy! This is something that is missing in today's society and bleeds into a lot more than firewood. As a manger in a large company's maintenance department...I coach my reports to "Be That Guy!" You want a promotion...You want a raise..."Be That Guy!" Thanks much for those words.
problem with this mentality is that in a lot of places (especially big places) you wont receieve any recognition... I was "that guy" for years at my job, you know what I got for it in the end? The same raise and promotion as everyone else. What happened after that? I quit and started my own business. Why? Because thats the only place you are guaranteed to get recognition, by your own self.
Man, I love your attitude to work and your "Tips videos" like this are amazing. The way how you give tips, how honest, straightforward and persistent you are is just so persuasive. And you are talking to camera, not a real person which makes this being believable super difficult. Only a man with open and honest heart can achieve this effect! Thank you!
#3 We work in the horse business offering riding lessons training and boarding! We get so much business by responding fast. We get leads from our website, and social media. I get right on it and respond via text and also email copy and paste! Works every time....
that number 3 tip is the key, i went to 200+ customers in four years because i called them back immediately, and that brings the numerous referrals, all those tips are true, great video.
Can having too many potential customers be problematic because you'll have to turn some away emptyhanded (or sell fresh green wood) so they might not comeback?
@@josephpostma1787 in my early years I would sell out and had to explain to people that the firewood is green and they still bought it, would tell them to buy their firewood earlier next year so they can get the seasoned firewood which they normally would do. I’ve had since been able to amass about 250-300 cords and only delivering 200 or so a year it’s easier to maintain the stockpile of seasoned firewood each year.
Among many campers at Evergreen and Oakwood I have the reputation already of having wood ready to burn. Need to keep up with supply to be worthy of that honor. More than one person buying wood from my roadside stand said they were told to come to me for good firewood by their neighbors in the campgrounds they are in.
Thank you for Scarborough fair loved that more than anything I have a wood working business thinking about firewood also but the Beatles took me back thanks we’re the same age!!!
I have to cut half the size of your lengths but the logs I cut are smaller from gardening jobs. Nearly sold out eaten well this winter thanks to you wood yard.
Great tips. I've run across some firewood producers that sell in odd ball units. (a certain size pickup truck bed, or trailer). It makes it hard for the customer to compare pricing. It would be smarter to use the standard firewood units that are common in your market place. (Face cord, full cord, etc). It will save on the confusion for the customer.
US law on wood sales states you must use cubic feet or cubic meters to describe the volume of wood being sold it also states that words like truck load, pile ,stack even cord or face cord are forbidden however if a measured amount in cubic feet is displayed or used in the description those words can be used as a descriptive word in combination with the volume amount
I'm buying fast drying wood now so I have a good inventory for next spring's campfire season. Only way I've been able to keep up is by being able to buy ash logs that were ready to burn as soon as I cut and split it. Hopefully by spring I'll have enough to not have to work in the heat of summer. Chris, since is going to rain most of the day, text me back and I'll be there to get those chaps.
Another homerun. Have you ever heard certain types who are always saying..."drying wood is the customers job, I shouldn't have to do their job". Some of them don't work in the heat either.... This video brought the heat. Lol
Instead of being a jackass about it, why can't the firewood guy in question just inform the customer "I don't have any wood ready to burn" instead of bitching about it on TH-cam?
Everything goes into the business Chris. Your Time, equipment, gas, oil, chain saws, and how to market it and make sure its dry wood. I'm sure there is more then what I have said. Good Video Chris. 😀 Don't forget Friday night in the Back 40.
Qualifying questions for Every customer is very important to fulfill each customer's specific needs do that correctly and have a solid product and a solid inventory you end up selling wood year round
First come, first serve. Just experienced that last weekend, they got ahold of a guy that took logs a year ago for his saw mill. He didn't respond. I got a huge pile of pine (intended for bundles) and can go back for the tops/limbs anytime until they burn the "brush pile". Get on it and respond!!
G’mornin Chris. Thanks for sharing the knowledge. #3 is HUUUGE, I’ve gotten tipped just for that very reason. Thank you for the reliable content every single solitary morning. APPRECIATE IT ! GoodNightIrene
Love this channel helped me alot out with keeping large stock of firewood or anything to keep thriving. Appreciate the content! More is always better. Don't teach you this in school
Thanks for the video Chris. Well done. Watch your video's every day.. Do it once, do it right and move on. No wonder you sleep well every night. Keep up the good work 💪
All good customer service tips from the Sensei of Firewood! As in most businesses you should have what the people want and when they want it. Supply and demand and deliver quality. All of your "reasons" videos have been spot on for solid firewood business advice. Having the space to do what you do is my #1 factor in volume inventory. If you don't have space to handle logs and cords of inventory, it's going to be tough to handle much volume. Space ain't cheap! You have great space and set up! Dat's why you da guy!!! 😎 CYN & GNI
This is a regional gold mine. But a lot of saw mills will let you take their wood for free or 20 bucks a truck load. All the pieces are perfect for splitting. They require a few inches knocked off depending on the length ya need. I live in missouri and have 3 pallet mills in my town. Every tree that has less than 4 feet at the end is a waste to them. I'm just spreading the word. Bigger companies have waste management issues.
Great business etiquette Chris. Man after my own heart. Here in Aus there are a number of people who want to sell green wood or logs. They also want pretty near the same price for that wood as for dry seasoned wood.
I sell firewood not lumber and I do not have a saw mill and the logs have been sorted by the logger and we firewood people get all the discard junk wood the mills do not want.
Nice tips, Chris. I’ve been on the receiving end of those negatives and it does drive me crazy. I’ve purchased “seasoned” wood that was green. I’ve waited too long for a response, and yes, contacted someone else. I’ve received junk wood. Thanks for the tips! In case you missed it, our video from last night has a mention of your channel and your splitter in it! :) Chad #purplecollarlife
All my junk wood thats rotting or something i stack by my firepit outside. Works out because when it comes to a firepit you want atmosphere more than anything. I want to keep adding wood and being invovled as its just kind of calming and enjoyable, best part is it burns quicker so i dont have to worry, when i am just about done and ready to go inside i know it will burn out fairly quick. That might just be me though lol
Awesome job Chris, great advice and information. I feel like I'm back in college. "In the woodyard university" with professor Chris. I enjoy your woodchuckin classes.
My grandpa has cut for almost fifty years and he has had a customer who wanted specifically red oak only split small like cookwood, only wanted green and paid $500/cord. I've now started and have followed his teachings, if it's dead for a year, its ready to burn and just tell people it is and theyll believe you. I have several customers that love my firewood and are repeat customers almost weekly. I rarely let my firewood sit, it usually gets cut down, cut up, and split and goes straight to the customer. I haven't had a single customer walk away. This year i have been stocking up to prepare because last year i ran out but i wont be storing for more than a year because its ready to burn now but i want it to be obvious that its dry.
Ive learned a lot from watching your videos. With my lawn care business you can't deceive people. Some I've given advice how to do something to take care of their lawn. Im trying to apply a lot of your philosophy to my business. Have a Safe Day
One more thing, if you can’t get there at the time you told a client. Call or text them and tell them you are running late and give a time of your arrival. Nothing pisses off someone more than a company showing up past the time that they said they would be there.
I know a lot of people in my area sell green firewood. And I know some people with processors will let logs sit for a year, then run it through into a truck and deliver it, and call it seasoned. I do have a hard time with 'free wood' since I do some tree work and property maintenance. And I just laugh when I see ads for people asking $100 or more for a tree that fell or got cut down
I definitely need to build an inventory of winter wood. What would you recommend building an inventory of for people that visit their vacation homes in the winter and want a fire in the fireplace? Could be a regular fireplace, high-efficiency insert, or high-efficiency free-standing wood stove in these vacation homes. Vacation homes and campers are my customers. I also need to get business cards. Who do you recommend to get high-quality business cards from?
Morning Chris, “I want to be the man” , your the man on the spot. I agree with you on setting your schedule and controlling deliveries. I would much rather go and pick up materials, than sit around waiting for a delivery , they tell you a time, usually way off , rarely a call or text. I believe every customer you have now will be a customer for life or when you decide to hang up the saws. Great product, excellent service and “decent personality “ Just kidding. Thanks for taking the time to help others in the biz, especially the Young kids, “with the skulls full of mush”
Yeah Chris, we sure could use his wisdom now, to help us through these dark times, sometimes you have to hit bottom before you dust yourself off and rise again to greatness
Hello Scott good video keep them coming. When you have time can you please do a video around your Town some like when you went to Gas station and convenient store's and looked at fire wood very interesting I find my self doing the same thing now looking at prices and quality of the wood maybe stoping by a hard Ware store and looking at chainsaw and log splitter. And maby some more videos with your new Best friend Tony your guys are great together he has a lot of cool toy's. Hello Tony. Thank you have a good weekend and also everyone from Massachusettes. Good NIGHT Irene.👍
Chris, your business tips are on point and a good reminder. Glad the firewood business supply chain doesn’t suffer from a chip shortage😉. Guess I shouldn’t name my fledgling firewood business…Green Leaf Firewood 💨
Chris, do you ever have customers check moisture content before you unload? I've just turned away a delivery as most pieces I tested we're nearing 35% moisture. The delivery guy looked a bit shocked when I whipped out my moisture meter!
I have 1 customer that buys fresh cut wood ahead of time and stores it. Its the best. It's rare, but there's a few out there. I charge her a little less tho because I don't have to store it
i agree on on the dry wood sales if you want dont wait do it my green wood sales are sold as green wood dont try screwing a customer not a good buisness aspect a happy customer is a repeat customer
Too many people that work in sales don't know how to sell something. Even though I am not a big fan of it, sales is one of the most important pieces of a business.
Most wood here is sold green up to customer to dry wood. I'm increasing my inventory to sell dry wood I can double my my money by buying it split green all I do is pile it
I would like to know what percentage of your followers are in the firewood business. I just buy grapple loads and cut it for our wood stove and for friends. I follow you and learn so much about the tools and principles of cutting, splitting, stacking, and drying. I do enjoy your dry sense of humor and particularly like it when you and Kenny are going after each other. Your photography is excellent and so are your gardens. Keep on cutting!
Good morning Chris!!😀😀 Today doesn't look like it's going to be a good day for building inventory. Looks like we might get 3 to 5 inches of rain this weekend. Stay dry my friend!!😀😀 Logger Al
@@aldredske6197, let's just be thankful we didn't get the 17 inches of rain in 24hrs like they got in the Lorreta Lynn's Ranch area. Her ranch foreman died in the flooding.
@@thefirewooddoctor wow didn't hear about that. Couldn't imagine that much rain in that short period of time. That much snow is bad enough in that much time.
Customer service Is the name of the game. Keep them happy and you will keep them but give them substandard service and you can lose them in a heartbeat.
I have one lady I am delivering green wood now in the late summer.. I refuse to deliver till I seen her wood shed and she is definitely stocking up for next year as she already has 2 cords ready for this year heating.. She is one of the few that is ahead.. As for your video today all good points.. Now can you answer one for us all.. Why did you decide to start TH-cam?? I can wait for that replay in a video as I think it's a good one.. For me its because I wanted to show others how I do firewood here in the Pacific NW..
@@InTheWoodyard : interesting🤔.. I will be nice and not say what I truly feel about JPF.. Guess you and Ohio Wood Burner started at the right time.. So thank you Chris..
I'm not a big time operator, only did 48 cord last year. Probably 42 of those cord where green. My customers buy a year ahead of time so they can save some money.
I have 100 cords of dry seasoned wood on hand at all times for new people. Then 300+ cords that I sell throughout the year. I only sell full cords. 1/4 semi seasoned. The rest is seasoned
Hi Chris, Thank you for your five tips on starting a wood business! I am on 3.25 acres with house and pole barn, and I am curious after watching you all the time, how big of a lot you have for the business, and would you think my size lot is it doable?
What do you do if the place you live rains abit. How would I keep it dry during winter when I’m selling it? Do you have any tips for this thanks. I do Oregon wood how long would you recommend to dry it if logs have been down for 6 months but not split
I cover the split and stacked wood on the top with a tarp in the fall before it snows and it stays on until it sells. Wood in log form can take years to dry depending on the kind of wood and cut and split wood drys much faster.
love ya, brother, but i've been doing this 5+yrs, and the VAST majority of what i sell is green. it's what i sell to my "major" customers - guys who buy 3+ cords (one buys 8) a year. i have about 20 such customers, they know exactly what they're getting, and they buy 9-12 months in advance. and they buy green because i charge half for it, since there are numerous steps in my process which i don't have to take with green wood. [sometimes i can deliver it straight to the customer from the site i get it from, after splitting it right there, without even having to take it back to my house first.] it's the dumb customers - sorry not sorry - who wait until it gets cold out and then pay double, if i can even get to them at all. but again, love ya anyway.
I am just learning. I have only cut firewood for a little over 50 years and I only sell 200-250 full cords a year to a couple hundred customers.... so I appreciate your advice. 97.39531% of the wood I sell is sold to people for fireplace burning not boiler wood, they want wood that will burn today not next year. But they do pay $360-400 for a full cord plus delivery.
Do you charge tax on the sales of your wood ? Here in PEI if you sell wood as a business, you have to charge tax on it. Saw an ad here today, one cord of split hardwood $250.00, tax included.
Tax? No way. I don't care how much wood I sell the government is not making money off my product. I haven't paid taxes for 30yeare now. In fact they will never do a thing. If they did my taxes they would owe me money.
Get a processor and a hard place like with asphalt to pile it once and not move it and it's done ,u start moving it a hundred times like I do or having to bring the pile down because the town complained is just not worth it unless u just love tons of work for short money lol ,because that's what it is when u start moving it 2 or 3 times ,and if u gotta stack it on you're trailer In order to sell it forget it ,I see one guy that stacks his wood then stacks it on his trailer to sell it ,just to much , there's a point where it's just to much and u gotta realize that or u will just drive yourself crazy
Blacktop would be very nice to work on but that is an expensive thing to get. My parking lot at my main business is just 24 parking spaces with the apron and 20 years ago it was $35,000 so that might be a while to pay for with firewood.
@@InTheWoodyard u gotta like hard work to do firewood I think ,the way I do it even without stacking sometimes I'm just moving it to many times ,the old timers hate that ,the guys would say I'm moving it to many times to make money ,I think I just love doing it ,but sometimes I don't ,and when it's real hot I don't ,I like the winter and the fall
Number one killer to give you a bad name is selling green wood... i lost count how many times a customer would take a few logs off the truck to test burn be for i unload. Take care wood dude.. ✌☺
What type of insurance do u need for this business? Would general liability work, I'm wondering in case a tree that falls hits a house, car etc. Also which easier LLC or a Inc? I'm currently LLC but will be selling this one In 30 months.
Guys i know around here .😅sell wood they literally just split .and call it seasoned firewood... They even try to argue with me and tell me how it burns great . I had thrown some of there wood on a big fire i had eatlier. .and it sizzled and steamed. And almost put my fire out. .. there is a special place in hell for people that do this .yes the customer shoukd know the difference in seasoned and not seasoned...by look and feel...u should see expansion cracks And it should feel much lighter.than green / not seasoned wood. Can you imagine depending on heating your home With the wood you bought as seasoned. And not being able to even have a fire... Because it wont lite ? Shame on them .. Dont do this to anyone period. !!
I don’t understand why this channel doesn’t have many more subs ! Great content, consistent frequent delivery, great photography, excellent editing and subject matter encouraging capitalism, hard work and thrift. As a retired industrial photographer and one time firewood operator I think I can truly appreciate what Chris is balancing. Good job pard. We appreciate the long hours.
Chris's channel has only been uploading videos for 13mo or so. He's doing really well.
Thanks John, things are going good more is always better!
There’s no chicks in leggings. Sadly that works… but unlike Chris they don’t have the retention.
Chris, i know this is a 2 yr old video but i love your 5 tips, especially getting back with people. This stood out because i literally have had several businesses from various needs ignore me or not communicate. One was when i reached out for a new fireplace insert. I guess they dont want the 6-7k very bad lol.
My grandpa just recently passed away and now i myself am trying to work up a plan to continue his firewood passion and one day turn it into a business. Hopefully i can use you and so many others experiences to my advantage. Thanks for this video, even though its dated.
Thanks so much for watching..just get to it and keep cuttin'!
If you want to grow your firewood buisness listen to this man he knows what he is talking about
Thanks Matt!
I see you analyze every single aspect of the value proposition. Responsive, flexibility of time, quality of product, customization, etc. You focus on your core competency, and are better than every other business. I understand the mastery of this can be a lot of effort, but understanding the concept is using common sense. Come to think of it, common sense is so rare they should really call it a super power. You're an awesome business man. Thank you for your time!
Thanks so much for your kind words Michael!
U r totally right about people not calling back or calling back 2 or 3 days later . I live in orange county ny and yes I got mad and will not buy fire wood from anyone I rather pay for oil now . And I'm happy I found u and I'm a fan and will start cutting my own fire wood and thinking about selling also you are lighting a fire my my ass to do so
I really appreciate the "Be That GUY!" philosophy. I have used it for years with all 4 of my sons. When they are starting jobs or school or teams or whatever....I tell them..."Be That Guy!" Be there early. Stay the whole time. Do the best job. Work the hardest. Stay the longest. Be That Guy! This is something that is missing in today's society and bleeds into a lot more than firewood. As a manger in a large company's maintenance department...I coach my reports to "Be That Guy!" You want a promotion...You want a raise..."Be That Guy!" Thanks much for those words.
Thank so much for the kind words Chewy!
problem with this mentality is that in a lot of places (especially big places) you wont receieve any recognition... I was "that guy" for years at my job, you know what I got for it in the end? The same raise and promotion as everyone else.
What happened after that? I quit and started my own business. Why? Because thats the only place you are guaranteed to get recognition, by your own self.
@@Motoko1134 I just about to comment the same sort of thing as your first paragraph.
Man, I love your attitude to work and your "Tips videos" like this are amazing. The way how you give tips, how honest, straightforward and persistent you are is just so persuasive. And you are talking to camera, not a real person which makes this being believable super difficult. Only a man with open and honest heart can achieve this effect! Thank you!
I appreciate that! I am just talking to you Boris!
#3 We work in the horse business offering riding lessons training and boarding! We get so much business by responding fast. We get leads from our website, and social media. I get right on it and respond via text and also email copy and paste! Works every time....
Early bird gets the worm!
that number 3 tip is the key, i went to 200+ customers in four years because i called them back immediately, and that brings the numerous referrals, all those tips are true, great video.
Thanks a bunch, now get cuttin'!
Can having too many potential customers be problematic because you'll have to turn some away emptyhanded (or sell fresh green wood) so they might not comeback?
@@josephpostma1787 in my early years I would sell out and had to explain to people that the firewood is green and they still bought it, would tell them to buy their firewood earlier next year so they can get the seasoned firewood which they normally would do. I’ve had since been able to amass about 250-300 cords and only delivering 200 or so a year it’s easier to maintain the stockpile of seasoned firewood each year.
Ok Chris that was a lot of good information. Hope your people take it to heart. Goodnight Irene
Thanks John, I hope so too!
Thank you Chris! Today's video is a lesson in life, not just firewood.
Thanks Keith!
Excellent points! Keep the videos coming. That is how I start my day.
Thanks Dan! Will do!
Among many campers at Evergreen and Oakwood I have the reputation already of having wood ready to burn. Need to keep up with supply to be worthy of that honor. More than one person buying wood from my roadside stand said they were told to come to me for good firewood by their neighbors in the campgrounds they are in.
That is great!
Thank you for Scarborough fair loved that more than anything I have a wood working business thinking about firewood also but the Beatles took me back thanks we’re the same age!!!
Start cutting and splitting if you want to sell wood !
I have to cut half the size of your lengths but the logs I cut are smaller from gardening jobs. Nearly sold out eaten well this winter thanks to you wood yard.
Good!
Amazing that these things need to be said--but you are spot on as usual. Thanks Chris.
Thanks so much for watching Tom!
Great tips. I've run across some firewood producers that sell in odd ball units. (a certain size pickup truck bed, or trailer). It makes it hard for the customer to compare pricing. It would be smarter to use the standard firewood units that are common in your market place. (Face cord, full cord, etc). It will save on the confusion for the customer.
US law on wood sales states you must use cubic feet or cubic meters to describe the volume of wood being sold it also states that words like truck load, pile ,stack even cord or face cord are forbidden however if a measured amount in cubic feet is displayed or used in the description those words can be used as a descriptive word in combination with the volume amount
You are exactly correct.
That is a good thing, but so many people sell a little bit of wood and are gone that it is impossible to enforce.
Less than 2 minutes in and I had to stop watching and head to my wood yard…you’re not wrong! I’ll catch the rest later! 😊
Thanks for watching Baron!
He almost had me putting my boots on lol
I'm buying fast drying wood now so I have a good inventory for next spring's campfire season. Only way I've been able to keep up is by being able to buy ash logs that were ready to burn as soon as I cut and split it. Hopefully by spring I'll have enough to not have to work in the heat of summer. Chris, since is going to rain most of the day, text me back and I'll be there to get those chaps.
Yup!
Good points. Similar rules with sawmilling.
Thanks!
Another great video always enjoy your show is the highlight of TV in this day and age
Glad you enjoy it Philip!
Another homerun. Have you ever heard certain types who are always saying..."drying wood is the customers job, I shouldn't have to do their job".
Some of them don't work in the heat either.... This video brought the heat. Lol
Some people who blame the customer will also mention they haven't had any recent sales. What an odd coincidence!!!
Instead of being a jackass about it, why can't the firewood guy in question just inform the customer "I don't have any wood ready to burn" instead of bitching about it on TH-cam?
@@TakeNoneForTheTeam not hard to guess who you are referring to 😜 JPF !!
@@thefirewooddoctor JPF ?? 🤣
@@sootie620, yeppers.
Thanks. This is more helpful content. If this is something I am going to do than I need to get busy.
Glad it was helpful! Get cuttin'!
Everything goes into the business Chris. Your Time, equipment, gas, oil, chain saws, and how to market it and make sure its dry wood. I'm sure there is more then what I have said. Good Video Chris. 😀 Don't forget Friday night in the Back 40.
Well said! Thanks for the reminder, I will try to be there!
Morning Chris. The wood yard is looking very organized. Time for a couple trucks loads of logs.👍
You got that right! I am going to order it today!!!
Always good advice! Premium seasoned firewood! And you’ll always have the repeat customers wanting more!!🔥😀
Thanks Mark!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, EXCELLENT ADVICE.
Glad it was helpful!
Your efforts deserve many more subscribers in my opinion. Bring on processor and tractor stuff 😀
Thanks Steve, I am working on it!!!
Qualifying questions for Every customer is very important to fulfill each customer's specific needs do that correctly and have a solid product and a solid inventory you end up selling wood year round
You are very correct Wiley!
First come, first serve. Just experienced that last weekend, they got ahold of a guy that took logs a year ago for his saw mill. He didn't respond. I got a huge pile of pine (intended for bundles) and can go back for the tops/limbs anytime until they burn the "brush pile". Get on it and respond!!
Yup, be the early bird!
G’mornin Chris. Thanks for sharing the knowledge. #3 is HUUUGE, I’ve gotten tipped just for that very reason. Thank you for the reliable content every single solitary morning. APPRECIATE IT ! GoodNightIrene
You got it! Thanks Corey!
Response is essential, too many people don’t so they loose my business. If they can’t return a phone call, they won’t be reliable.
EXACTLY!
Love this channel helped me alot out with keeping large stock of firewood or anything to keep thriving. Appreciate the content! More is always better. Don't teach you this in school
Great to hear! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video Chris. Well done. Watch your video's every day.. Do it once, do it right and move on. No wonder you sleep well every night. Keep up the good work 💪
Thanks so much Paul, I appreciate it!
Super 👌🏽 thanks for good teaching 👍🏼
Thanks so much for watching!
Going to try your 3 rows on a pallet method starting to pile next summers wood
Sounds great! Get to work!
All good customer service tips from the Sensei of Firewood! As in most businesses you should have what the people want and when they want it. Supply and demand and deliver quality. All of your "reasons" videos have been spot on for solid firewood business advice. Having the space to do what you do is my #1 factor in volume inventory. If you don't have space to handle logs and cords of inventory, it's going to be tough to handle much volume. Space ain't cheap! You have great space and set up! Dat's why you da guy!!! 😎 CYN & GNI
Thanks so much David, I appreciate your time to watch and comment!
This is a regional gold mine. But a lot of saw mills will let you take their wood for free or 20 bucks a truck load. All the pieces are perfect for splitting. They require a few inches knocked off depending on the length ya need. I live in missouri and have 3 pallet mills in my town. Every tree that has less than 4 feet at the end is a waste to them. I'm just spreading the word. Bigger companies have waste management issues.
Thanks!
Another good talk ! Thank you .
Thanks Bruce!
Great business etiquette Chris. Man after my own heart.
Here in Aus there are a number of people who want to sell green wood or logs. They also want pretty near the same price for that wood as for dry seasoned wood.
Interesting! That is to bad that they do that!
Great advice it can apply to any business.
Yes, that is true!
You got that right always here to watch your video keep them coming Christ 👍
I appreciate that!
Great tips Chris. You are a very efficient human being and your wood yard looks spiffy! ( that’s good)
Thanks Harold!
I hold about 50 m2 of oak and you are correct I hold mine up to 5 years
Yup, oak lasts!
All these great lumber logs your talking bout splitting makes my sawyer heart hurt lmao
I sell firewood not lumber and I do not have a saw mill and the logs have been sorted by the logger and we firewood people get all the discard junk wood the mills do not want.
Nice tips, Chris. I’ve been on the receiving end of those negatives and it does drive me crazy. I’ve purchased “seasoned” wood that was green. I’ve waited too long for a response, and yes, contacted someone else. I’ve received junk wood. Thanks for the tips! In case you missed it, our video from last night has a mention of your channel and your splitter in it! :) Chad #purplecollarlife
Thanks for sharing! And thanks for the mention!
All my junk wood thats rotting or something i stack by my firepit outside. Works out because when it comes to a firepit you want atmosphere more than anything. I want to keep adding wood and being invovled as its just kind of calming and enjoyable, best part is it burns quicker so i dont have to worry, when i am just about done and ready to go inside i know it will burn out fairly quick. That might just be me though lol
Yup, I like pine in the fire pit! Fast and fun!
Awesome job Chris, great advice and information. I feel like I'm back in college. "In the woodyard university" with professor Chris. I enjoy your woodchuckin classes.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching Shawn!
My grandpa has cut for almost fifty years and he has had a customer who wanted specifically red oak only split small like cookwood, only wanted green and paid $500/cord. I've now started and have followed his teachings, if it's dead for a year, its ready to burn and just tell people it is and theyll believe you. I have several customers that love my firewood and are repeat customers almost weekly. I rarely let my firewood sit, it usually gets cut down, cut up, and split and goes straight to the customer. I haven't had a single customer walk away. This year i have been stocking up to prepare because last year i ran out but i wont be storing for more than a year because its ready to burn now but i want it to be obvious that its dry.
That sounds great .....keep cuttin'!
All good information I got free load wood this morning. Going get it split and stacked.
Yup, get to work!
@@InTheWoodyard the only bad thing about free cut wood is it cut 6 to 20 inches hard to stack
@@danshouseofsmokeandoutdoor7119 Yes that makes it less good!
Ive learned a lot from watching your videos. With my lawn care business you can't deceive people. Some I've given advice how to do something to take care of their lawn. Im trying to apply a lot of your philosophy to my business. Have a Safe Day
The more you help them and solve their problems, the more they will like you and trust you and hire you! Thanks for watching!
Good show today Chris. I noticed you changed your theme music.
Take care friend 👍🇺🇸
Yup, I thought it was time for a change. Thanks Gary!
One more thing, if you can’t get there at the time you told a client. Call or text them and tell them you are running late and give a time of your arrival. Nothing pisses off someone more than a company showing up past the time that they said they would be there.
YES! ABSOLUTELY!
Thanks for sharing your firewood knowledge Chris GNI
You are very welcome, see you tomorrow!
Thank you sir!
You are welcome!
I know a lot of people in my area sell green firewood. And I know some people with processors will let logs sit for a year, then run it through into a truck and deliver it, and call it seasoned. I do have a hard time with 'free wood' since I do some tree work and property maintenance. And I just laugh when I see ads for people asking $100 or more for a tree that fell or got cut down
Yes, it will lay for a long time before it is gone! HA!
I definitely need to build an inventory of winter wood. What would you recommend building an inventory of for people that visit their vacation homes in the winter and want a fire in the fireplace? Could be a regular fireplace, high-efficiency insert, or high-efficiency free-standing wood stove in these vacation homes. Vacation homes and campers are my customers. I also need to get business cards. Who do you recommend to get high-quality business cards from?
Smaller split oak and other hardwoods. Vista print.
Morning Chris, “I want to be the man” , your the man on the spot. I agree with you on setting your schedule and controlling deliveries. I would much rather go and pick up materials, than sit around waiting for a delivery , they tell you a time, usually way off , rarely a call or text. I believe every customer you have now will be a customer for life or when you decide to hang up the saws. Great product, excellent service and “decent personality “
Just kidding. Thanks for taking the time to help others in the biz, especially the Young kids, “with the skulls full of mush”
Thanks Mike, I have not heard the phrase "skulls full of mush" for a while now! Thanks, I miss Rush!
Yeah Chris, we sure could use his wisdom now, to help us through these dark times, sometimes you have to hit bottom before you dust yourself off and rise again to greatness
@@mikehughes2026 Yes, unfortunately, I think the descent is going to continue for a while yet!
Hello Scott good video keep them coming. When you have time can you please do a video around your Town some like when you went to Gas station and convenient store's and looked at fire wood very interesting I find my self doing the same thing now looking at prices and quality of the wood maybe stoping by a hard Ware store and looking at chainsaw and log splitter. And maby some more videos with your new Best friend Tony your guys are great together he has a lot of cool toy's. Hello Tony. Thank you have a good weekend and also everyone from Massachusettes. Good NIGHT Irene.👍
Jeff, those are all on the video list and you will see them all eventually! Thanks for watching, Chris.
Chris, your business tips are on point and a good reminder. Glad the firewood business supply chain doesn’t suffer from a chip shortage😉. Guess I shouldn’t name my fledgling firewood business…Green Leaf Firewood 💨
Try...Seasoned firewood or Dry firewood or Ready to burn firewood!
@@InTheWoodyard Those would certainly send a better message😄. Actually going with Greybeard Premium Firewood
@@canvasman2307 GPF is that like JPF ?
@@InTheWoodyard not copying Joe or just poking fun… just looking in the mirror and reporting what I see😂
Quality channel! This video is filled with gems! Maybe you need to be a northlander to get it right.
Thanks for watching!
Chris, do you ever have customers check moisture content before you unload? I've just turned away a delivery as most pieces I tested we're nearing 35% moisture. The delivery guy looked a bit shocked when I whipped out my moisture meter!
Never, but I have had guys pick up a couple pieces and examine them and they always say the same thing....THIS IS GOOD STUFF! THIS WILL BURN!
I have 1 customer that buys fresh cut wood ahead of time and stores it. Its the best. It's rare, but there's a few out there. I charge her a little less tho because I don't have to store it
Yup, I have a couple like that too, I want more, lots more!
If and when I get a hold of cherry, I advertise it for BBQ smoking.
I get good sales that way. Especially for the area I'm in.
That is great, what area are you in?
@@InTheWoodyard Pennsylvania
@@justinvanscoy140 Is there a lot of cherry in your area?
Very hard to come by in this area.......
i agree on on the dry wood sales if you want dont wait do it my green wood sales are sold as green wood dont try screwing a customer not a good buisness aspect a happy customer is a repeat customer
Thanks for your input and watching Matthew!
Very good
Thanks
Too many people that work in sales don't know how to sell something. Even though I am not a big fan of it, sales is one of the most important pieces of a business.
YES! Without sales nothing else matters.
Most wood here is sold green up to customer to dry wood. I'm increasing my inventory to sell dry wood I can double my my money by buying it split green all I do is pile it
Where are you that everyone sells green wood? If everyone else is selling green wood you could make a killing with dry wood!!
Tupper lake NY 30 miles from Lake placid
@@LeBlancfirewood I see, be different and sell better dry wood!
I would like to know what percentage of your followers are in the firewood business. I just buy grapple loads and cut it for our wood stove and for friends. I follow you and learn so much about the tools and principles of cutting, splitting, stacking, and drying. I do enjoy your dry sense of humor and particularly like it when you and Kenny are going after each other. Your photography is excellent and so are your gardens. Keep on cutting!
Thanks so much for the kind words Chris!
Great advice
Thanks William!
Good morning Chris!!😀😀
Today doesn't look like it's going to be a good day for building inventory. Looks like we might get 3 to 5 inches of rain this weekend.
Stay dry my friend!!😀😀
Logger Al
Logger Al, are you afraid you'll melt in the rain?
@@thefirewooddoctor you know what they say. So I might float away. LOL!!
@@aldredske6197, let's just be thankful we didn't get the 17 inches of rain in 24hrs like they got in the Lorreta Lynn's Ranch area. Her ranch foreman died in the flooding.
@@thefirewooddoctor wow didn't hear about that. Couldn't imagine that much rain in that short period of time. That much snow is bad enough in that much time.
Yes! The rain can stop now! We have enough! Later Al!
Customer service Is the name of the game. Keep them happy and you will keep them but give them substandard service and you can lose them in a heartbeat.
yup!
Ash is my preferred firewood to sell while my oak is drying.
Yes, I think that is true for almost everyone!
Good morning from Piqua Ohio.
Morning Stanley!
I have one lady I am delivering green wood now in the late summer.. I refuse to deliver till I seen her wood shed and she is definitely stocking up for next year as she already has 2 cords ready for this year heating.. She is one of the few that is ahead..
As for your video today all good points..
Now can you answer one for us all..
Why did you decide to start TH-cam??
I can wait for that replay in a video as I think it's a good one..
For me its because I wanted to show others how I do firewood here in the Pacific NW..
I will do a video about it some day! Mainly it was because of JPF!
@@InTheWoodyard : interesting🤔.. I will be nice and not say what I truly feel about JPF..
Guess you and Ohio Wood Burner started at the right time.. So thank you Chris..
@@DanielAtkinsFirewood Thanks Daniel!
Good tips!
Thanks so much John!
I'm not a big time operator, only did 48 cord last year. Probably 42 of those cord where green. My customers buy a year ahead of time so they can save some money.
That is a good side business you have there! Selling ahead, green, is great as long as they know what they are getting!
I run my own excavation business and majority of the work i get is referral and people who say “you were the only one to call us back!”
Yup, that is a fact for a bunch of businesses!
Good morning from Grand Forks
Hello there Dean!
I have 100 cords of dry seasoned wood on hand at all times for new people.
Then 300+ cords that I sell throughout the year.
I only sell full cords.
1/4 semi seasoned. The rest is seasoned
Sounds like you have a good thing going there! Where are you at Brian?
I'm trying.
I'm in northern California about an hour east of Sacramento
@@briansmith5235 Is it true that they are trying to outlaw firewood burning in California?
Only in major cities like los angeles, san Francisco.
But anywhere else is ok
Hi Chris, Thank you for your five tips on starting a wood business! I am on 3.25 acres with house and pole barn, and I am curious after watching you all the time, how big of a lot you have for the business, and would you think my size lot is it doable?
Sounds great! Yup, I think I only use about 1 1/2 acres for my wood yard at most. Go for it!
If you have ever back problems or want to avoid it get a logox.
I tried one, slow and awkward. Not a fan.
Do you plant trees to replace the cut down trees.
yes! Over the last 20+ years I have planted about 500 trees a year but in most woods self regeneration is normal, like after a fire.
What do you do if the place you live rains abit. How would I keep it dry during winter when I’m selling it? Do you have any tips for this thanks. I do Oregon wood how long would you recommend to dry it if logs have been down for 6 months but not split
I cover the split and stacked wood on the top with a tarp in the fall before it snows and it stays on until it sells. Wood in log form can take years to dry depending on the kind of wood and cut and split wood drys much faster.
love ya, brother, but i've been doing this 5+yrs, and the VAST majority of what i sell is green. it's what i sell to my "major" customers - guys who buy 3+ cords (one buys 8) a year. i have about 20 such customers, they know exactly what they're getting, and they buy 9-12 months in advance. and they buy green because i charge half for it, since there are numerous steps in my process which i don't have to take with green wood. [sometimes i can deliver it straight to the customer from the site i get it from, after splitting it right there, without even having to take it back to my house first.] it's the dumb customers - sorry not sorry - who wait until it gets cold out and then pay double, if i can even get to them at all.
but again, love ya anyway.
I am just learning. I have only cut firewood for a little over 50 years and I only sell 200-250 full cords a year to a couple hundred customers.... so I appreciate your advice. 97.39531% of the wood I sell is sold to people for fireplace burning not boiler wood, they want wood that will burn today not next year. But they do pay $360-400 for a full cord plus delivery.
You can never have enough i thought 25 full cords would be enough my first year selling and nope it's not even fall and im sold out of seasoned stuff
Yes, it goes fast every year!
Happy 420
Thanks, that was 3 years ago, I am around 1500 now! lots for you to watch!
Enjoy your videos. Just curious, where do you source most of your wood?
I get some tree service wood but I buy most in truckloads from loggers.
Would the “chunks” that you have not be classed as boiler wood?? Surely if it’s for filling up a boiler the size would be irrelevant ??
Yes they sure could be as long as the customer knows they are not standard size wood.
need viedoes of cleaning the fireplaxce and wood stove and cleaning the chimney
Maybe some day!
Do you charge tax on the sales of your wood ? Here in PEI if you sell wood as a business, you have to charge tax on it. Saw an ad here today, one cord of split hardwood $250.00, tax included.
Here in Ontario Canada 🇨🇦 we can have 36k in sales before we have to tax it ..
Tax? No way. I don't care how much wood I sell the government is not making money off my product.
I haven't paid taxes for 30yeare now. In fact they will never do a thing. If they did my taxes they would owe me money.
@@optimoprimo132
If you are owed tax money, it disappears after a few years. Anyone that has some coming better get on it.
I pay it as income tax.
Yes the gubmint owes me a lot!
Get a processor and a hard place like with asphalt to pile it once and not move it and it's done ,u start moving it a hundred times like I do or having to bring the pile down because the town complained is just not worth it unless u just love tons of work for short money lol ,because that's what it is when u start moving it 2 or 3 times ,and if u gotta stack it on you're trailer In order to sell it forget it ,I see one guy that stacks his wood then stacks it on his trailer to sell it ,just to much , there's a point where it's just to much and u gotta realize that or u will just drive yourself crazy
Blacktop would be very nice to work on but that is an expensive thing to get. My parking lot at my main business is just 24 parking spaces with the apron and 20 years ago it was $35,000 so that might be a while to pay for with firewood.
@@InTheWoodyard u gotta like hard work to do firewood I think ,the way I do it even without stacking sometimes I'm just moving it to many times ,the old timers hate that ,the guys would say I'm moving it to many times to make money ,I think I just love doing it ,but sometimes I don't ,and when it's real hot I don't ,I like the winter and the fall
@@gregchapman6190 Yup, to many touches are bad! I am looking forward to 40 degrees!
When you were making your decision about your tractor, did you consider a skid steer?
Yes, until I saw the prices and looked at the capabilities for all the other uses.
Also a skid steer would tear up your yard.
@@petergundel2956 A tractor will too, just not as fast.
Number one killer to give you a bad name is selling green wood... i lost count how many times a customer would take a few logs off the truck to test burn be for i unload. Take care wood dude.. ✌☺
Yes, I have people grab a couple pieces and check it out quite often!
must be going to hawai.... lol
Nope, I was there once and that was enough!
Bought wood one time from someone and it was slab wood from a sawmill and refused the load. 80 percent of it was bark
Yup, that is what slab wood is, it is good for boilers bur not as much heat in the bark!
Nice video Chris baby you tell them Chris baby I'm still under the weather Chris baby text me back Chris baby God bless your family
Hang in there Ralphy Baby! We need you here to say hello to every day!
What type of insurance do u need for this business? Would general liability work, I'm wondering in case a tree that falls hits a house, car etc. Also which easier LLC or a Inc? I'm currently LLC but will be selling this one In 30 months.
I have an umbrella policy. But I do not cut by buildings.
@@InTheWoodyard oh now thats smart. I will look into that. I've heard of it but, never looked into it.
Guys i know around here .😅sell wood they literally just split .and call it seasoned firewood...
They even try to argue with me and tell me how it burns great . I had thrown some of there wood on a big fire i had eatlier. .and it sizzled and steamed. And almost put my fire out. ..
there is a special place in hell for people that do this .yes the customer shoukd know the difference in seasoned and not seasoned...by look and feel...u should see expansion cracks
And it should feel much lighter.than green / not seasoned wood. Can you imagine depending on heating your home
With the wood you bought as seasoned.
And not being able to even have a fire...
Because it wont lite ?
Shame on them ..
Dont do this to anyone period. !!
Yup, bad people are still breathing!
Hi I want to asked where did you stare at on your own property or you rent out open land
My own land.