Is This A Reasonable Price for Wood Delivery & Stacking?

[kenrobin]

I've got a new LSG offset crossflow smoker on the way (20X42) so I'm trying get a feel for how much its going to cost to feed it. I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area where everything seems to cost more. I just received my first quote for wood delivery & while I expected the costs to be higher than $100 for 1/4 cord, I was still surprised. I asked them to give me prices for oak and for cherry.

Here's what Bear Bottom Farms in Richmond, CA quoted me:
1/4 cord of any combination is $168. plus tax, 1/2 cord oak is $245. plus tax 1/2 cord of cherry is $235. plus tax. Delivery to your driveway is $62.00. Stacking is a minimum $45.00 to $65.00 per man hour no stairs involved (stairs minimum $75.00 per man hour).

Do these prices for wood, delivery & stacking seem reasonable? T

If I cook once per week, how long can I expect a 1/4 cord to last me?

[EdF]

All I can say is "Wowza" about that price. But then again, I got outta there in '83. Check Craigslist. You may need to settle for woods that are not primo, but are relatively native.

[Randy-Phx]

I'm surprised CA will allow a stick burner with their emmission laws. Enjoy it while you can.
When I was in high school many years ago, I sold a 1/2 cord of oak, split and delivered for $40 after raising my prices by $5.

[ComfortablyNumb]

Definitely hit Craigslist, even go outside the Bay Area to Sac or Stockton. Check orchards for fruitwoods. Contact local tree companies. Hopefully you have a truck and haul it yourself.

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/grd/d/firewood-still-available/6616865711.html

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/for/d/premium-oak-firewood/6619103400.html

https://stockton.craigslist.org/grd/d/walnut-oak-firewood/6576487779.html

[kenrobin]

Thanks for the tips about CL. I have a F150 & I probably will haul it & stack it myself. Those manual labor prices are high!

[MBMorgan]

Huskee will apparently do it just for beer. It’s worth asking ... ...

[PBCDad]

I agree with ComfortablyNumb, more legwork and patience will definitely pay off. My go-to has been either picking up from orchards when I'm in the area on a business trip (I make sure I have a large trunk those times to make it worthwhile) or getting it little by little from the Free section of Craigslist.

Doing a quick search for San Fran, under Free, searching for firewood yields several good results. I see oak, cherry, alder, and apple. Sometimes it isn't fully seasoned, and sometimes you have to message them to confirm what type of wood it is, but I've had very good luck so far.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/zip?query=firewood&search_distance=21&postal=94151

[Huskee]

Wow, that seems quite steep. Of course this will vary by area and local economics. I have my oak delivered from a full sized pickup box and I believe it's a close to a face cord. This means when stacked it's 8' long x 4' high, but only as deep as the pieces were cut- instead of 4' deep (so it's only a cord by it's "face") this is commonly called a rick too. The guy charges me $60 for a heaping, sagging in the rear pickup load. But he doesn't stack, he tosses and goes. Still this is comparative to 1/4 - 1/3 full cord, roughly. I'd encourage you to shop around also. This dude's making some killer money, BUT, if that's all you can find, 1/4 cord will last quite a while.

[FireMan]

Keep in mind the mean for a hose is 1.6 m vs. 216 thous. For Pittsburgh.

[kenrobin]

This was the 1st quote that I received & it gave me sticker shock LOL. A quick check of Craigslist has yielded some better options. I will definitely shop around.... I was just curious if the prices in the 1st quote are what I should expect.

[Steve R.]

Dang, I need to cut down all my trees and haul them to California to sell. That is definitely a lot more than I would pay for wood. Craigslist is a great resource for obtaining wood, a lot of which is free.

[CaptainMike]

Check Craigslist in Lake, Napa, or Mendocino counties. A little bit of a drive, but you'll save enough money to buy 1/2 case of decent wine while you're passing through.

[kenrobin]

I love driving to the wine country. Good wine & dining would certainly make it worth the effort.

[Steve B]

Hey Ken. DO NOT get their combination wood assortment. Sounds like there’s gonna be woods in there that you don’t want.
Those prices are really high. But I’m in NY. So not sure what you should be paying.
What I am now doing is using a local tree service.
Just got a 1/2 cord of oak with some cherry for I think $150. But it’s not seasoned and I went to his place of business and picked it up myself and stacked it myself.

Now the seasoning part is not a big deal.
I just keep the wood covered with ample air flow. Henrik has inspired me to make a better cover for my wood. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks.
But right now I just have to tarp over it with the ends open as much as possible.
I start using the wood 4-6 weeks after I get it and have had no problems

When are expecting your LSG?
And of course if you have any questions about it feel free to ask. Either here or PM me.
Steve B.

[kenrobin]

Thanks Steve, I’ve come to the conclusion that the 1st quote is too high. I’ve received lots of great ideas that I will pursue. I have a F150 so I will probably pickup & stack my own wood once I settle on a source. The freight company’s tracking is confusing, but I think my LSG will arrive by no later than 7/3. It has already made it to Phoenix so I’m hoping it will arrive sometime next week.

[Steve B]

kenrobin that’s freaking awesome. I’m totally psyched for you. I er we need pics when you get it.
From the delivery, unpacking and set up. 👊

[kenrobin]

I will definitely share photos.

[Fire Art]

I sale lodge pine 250 cord split dump where I can get my pickup that’s the going rate around here

[Troutman]

Wood here in Houston is plentiful, you definitely need to find a better price. What I’m excited about is your LSG.... great choice bro!!!!

[kenrobin]

Thanks Troutman!

[Steve B]

Hell yeah Troutman

[JakeT]

I agree, if I had the room for a EOS it'd be the LSG for sure. Love the new design.

[JakeT]

kenrobin I suggest checking out Lazarri headquarters in Brisbane. They sell bags of all types of wood, perfectly seasoned and split. If you call or go into the office I'm sure they'll quote you for any amount outside the bags. Not too far of a drive from Clayton if you avoid rush hours. I go by there every time I have to check a job over on the Peninsula!

[kenrobin]

Thanks for the tip JakeT. I have thought about going there but I wasn’t sure if it would be worthwhile.

[Nuke em]

Back in the 80’s a delivered cord of oak wood dumped in the driveway of the Cali desert home split was 100 dollars. Times sure have changed. I remember it well cause I had to stack it in the back yard and only by hand.

[leol2]

wow these prices scare me. I can get a cord of oak or any other hardwood delivered, cut and split for $175