Ready to turn free wood into real profit?
Every summer, people start searching for firewood — and someone in your area is making good money selling it to them. If you have access to free or low-cost logs through tree work, land clearing or logging, you're already closer to a profitable firewood business than you might think.
The barrier to entry is low, the demand is consistent and with the right equipment, one person can process a serious volume of wood in a single day.
In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to start a firewood business from scratch, from building a simple business plan and choosing the right processing equipment to pricing your wood and finding customers. Whether you're looking to fill slow seasons with productive work or build a dedicated firewood operation, here's how to make it happen.
If you’re looking for a stable source of secondary income, selling firewood can be a great option. The firewood market is sizeable; people will always need bundles of firewood for fire pits and home heating. With rising energy costs, many homeowners are choosing to heat with wood, and camping culture and home fire pits have only grown in popularity since the pandemic.
Getting into the firewood selling business is a natural fit for tree services, loggers, land clearers and farmers. If you’re already sitting on free or low-cost logs, you’re leaving money on the ground until you start processing them into firewood.
With a Halverson processor, you can turn that free wood into a steady, high-margin revenue stream.
Before kicking off the business, think through these considerations:
Generally, your manufacturing costs per logger’s cord equal your hourly rate plus the cost of running your skid steer. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Every market is different. Pricing varies greatly by region, demand, seasoned vs. green wood, wood species mix and delivery distance. Customers tend to prefer white and red oak, beech, ash, maple and hickory, as these provide maximum heat and low smoke when properly seasoned. These types of wood can fetch higher prices than other, lower-quality wood.
Be sure to research your local market to make an informed decision on firewood prices. Currently, in Halverson’s home state of Minnesota, retail prices may look like:
| Face Cord | $150–$175 |
| Half Cord | $220–$260 |
| Full Cord | $325–$375 |
The return on investment for a firewood processing business is attractive, especially if you already own a skid steer, tractor or excavator and a truck to move the finished goods. When you invest in a commercial firewood processor, you can do more in less time with less labor, making your profit margins even more appealing.
Many Halverson customers routinely process up to 1.5 logger’s cords per hour with a single operator. This includes picking up the log, carrying it to where you want it stacked and splitting it, all from your host machine’s cab.
For example: If you can process 1.5 cords per hour and sell a full cord for $350, in 4 hours, you’ve made $2,100, not counting the expenses listed earlier.
Any business must operate within the law. We highly recommend consulting a lawyer before starting a business to ensure you’re fully compliant with local regulations. Here are a few examples of important considerations:
To start, you’ll need a skid steer, tractor or excavator. If you plan on transporting the firewood, a truck or multiple trucks are also necessary.
The most important upgrade is a firewood processor, like the ones proudly manufactured by Halverson. They help you process more wood, faster and safer, with less time and manpower required — basically supercharging your firewood operation.
Halverson processors perform three jobs: loading, cutting and splitting logs into firewood from the cab of the host unit. This significantly reduces fatigue and the risk of injuries common with manual splitting and chainsaw use. Halverson makes processors that can cut firewood to sizes ranging from 16” to 33”, from logs 8’ to 12’ long. If you need help finding the right processor for your needs, just reach out to our team.
To start, you won’t need to invest in a sawmill, a permanent facility or a large crew. Many people in the firewood business only need themselves and their machinery. Consider making large investments after the business has proved itself, and you’re ready to make it your full-time job.
Bring your machine directly to any wood source to turn raw timber into finished firewood on-site. You can offer this as a premium service to those who need help clearing wood on their property or cleaning up after a storm.
The most effective marketing is a mix of digital, local and word-of-mouth.
Seasonality plays a part in the firewood business, too. Ramp up your marketing efforts in the summer and fall so you’re top of mind when customers need wood.
Your firewood business can start small and scale easily. Investment is minimal, and our customers find that it’s a great starter business for those looking to make extra money or learn how to run a business.
Once your business has gained traction, you can scale it by building inventory in the off-season. You’ll need to determine how to store it, as storage affects quality and price. Store it somewhere cool, dry and well-ventilated, such as outdoors, wrapped in a tarp and not sitting directly on the ground. Doing so will allow it to dry out, resulting in a better product for your customers and a higher price.
Consider adding a second machine or operator to multiply your output. A large firewood operation can keep quality workers employed year-round, producing during the downtime and the off-season, so you’re always fully stocked. And ramping up your marketing efforts will help ensure you have plenty of business by the next firewood season.
A Halverson processor is the tool that makes the business viable at scale. Request a quote and we’ll help you find the right processor for your volume, or check out our full processor lineup and see the machines in action.