In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Delivery charges?

Discussion in 'The Wood Market' started by Sandhillbilly, Jun 6, 2026 at 3:35 PM.

  1. Sandhillbilly

    Sandhillbilly

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    Some may be familiar with Cedar to cry for
    Well the time has come for my friend to take delivery of his ceremony wood. Three full cords of skinny rounds approximately 3” to 8” in diameter and cut to 24” lengths. They don’t have access to the pickup and trailer that they used last year. But apparently have rounded up another and plan on renting a 6x12 U-Haul trailer with 24” sides. This trailer should hold one cord pretty easily I’m figuring. That will leave 2 cords that will need to go into my 14 foot dump trailer, which I don’t think will be too challenging.

    My dilemma is the price to haul it. I’ve got no idea (yet) what it’s gonna cost him to rent the U-Haul. ( not my problem really, but I don’t want costs to be so high that he goes elsewhere) He will be bringing a crew of 3-4 to help load. The ceremony grounds are pretty much 100 miles away from my house. I’m figuring that is basically a 5 hour round trip. I will be using my 7.3 power stroke and I’m guessing mileage will be in the 10-12 range for the loaded leg of the trip. I’m thinking $5 a loaded mile. Maybe $5.50. Probably not enough, but, I don’t think it is terribly cheap.
    I’m probably to cheap on the wood price to begin with ($1000 for the 3 cords, picked up at my house) but he is a friend and repeat customer that knows he is getting quality wood and fair measure. So I don’t want to run him off, I would like to do this order a couple more times/years.
    I’m sure a 100 mile delivery is unheard of for probably everyone here that sells and delivers wood.
    This ain’t Nashville and these people aren’t millionaires. And these aren’t Nashville Rick quantities either.
    Let me hear your opinion and thoughts about this endeavor and how much it would be worth to you. IMG_3410.jpeg IMG_3411.jpeg IMG_3413.jpeg
     
  2. CutSplitStack

    CutSplitStack

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    If it's worth it to you that is what matters. If you walk away feeling shorted then you didn't charge enough. If it were me the fact that there are helpers to load and unload is a big bonus, and grabbing a $1500 payday for a chance to cruise the open road sounds like a decent way to spend a day.
     
  3. Jeffrey Svoboda

    Jeffrey Svoboda

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    10mpg at $6.00+ a gallon for 200 miles = about $250

    Labor for 5 hours : $250/5 = $50/hr for your truck, trailer, and you.

    You obviously gotta factor in some wear and tear on the truck and trailer.

    Assuming you're only charging for loaded miles and not the return trip, your $5-5.50 seams very fair to me.
     
  4. Sandhillbilly

    Sandhillbilly

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    I’m not sure what our diesel is right now but I’m thinking somewhere between $4.95 -$5.25
    And yes only the loaded miles
     
  5. Jeffrey Svoboda

    Jeffrey Svoboda

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    So something like $50 in fuel for the loaded part and maybe $35 for the return trip? $85-100 just for fuel.

    $500-100 for fuel leaves $400 for labor, wear, and tear. $80 an hour for you and your truck/trailer.

    Still fair.
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2026 at 7:57 PM
  6. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Seems more than fair to me. I have a couple of "far away" customers and need to charge more than what I am based on what's been said here.
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2026 at 8:20 PM
  7. Sandhillbilly

    Sandhillbilly

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    My customer called this afternoon because he forgot to ask how much cash he needed to bring. I told him $1550. $1000 for the wood and $550 freight. He didn’t seem to balk and said ok, see you Wednesday.

    so I guess that settles that!:yes:
     
  8. Canadian border VT

    Canadian border VT

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    Wouldn’t a U-Haul truck that carry 3 cord easier?
     
  9. Sandhillbilly

    Sandhillbilly

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    I suggested for him to look into one of their smaller box truck/vans. Might not have been one available at the time in this rual part of the world
     
  10. T.Jeff Veal

    T.Jeff Veal

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    We have delivered farwood 80+ miles one way before and have several customers 60+ miles that get a cord dump trailer load. We don't charge that much delivery, maybe we need to go up.
    $333 a cord, picked up at your place is a good price.
    The 6x12 trailer and probably the dump trailer will need to be stacked, our 7x12x2 loaded with conveyor is piled high with just a cord+ load.
    Just my thoughts...
     

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  11. buZZsaw BRAD

    buZZsaw BRAD

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    Nice regular customer you've acquired there. An easy cord seeing its 24" long and no splitting required, at least in my opinion.
     
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