Frequently Asked Questions
“How Much?”
This is a difficult question to answer as every cutting job is
unique, and there’s lots of wiggle room to give you the biggest bang
for your buck. Some basic rates are as follows:
Setup Fee: $50 to set, level, and otherwise prepare the saw on your
site. This typically takes from 10 minutes to 45 minutes depending
on terrain.
Milling Fee: There are two possible fee procedures that apply to ALL
sawing jobs: Hourly rates or board-foot rates. This is to ensure
appropriate billings to BOTH parties. For small logs, an hourly rate
of $100/hour applies, as determined by clock hours on the machine. I
ask for a minimum 2-hour charge, unless you bring the pieces to my
location.
For large logs, the board-foot procedure applies. I charge 30 to 40
cents/board-foot for good, completed lumber. If we have a rotten log
and you get NO usable lumber, no charge applies. If I cut beams or
2X4’s, board-foot rates apply regardless of dimension. However, if
we are exclusively cutting thin stock (less than 1” thick for all
logs), a higher board-foot rate will apply. Generally, my customers
get a mix of thin and thick material, making a different board-foot
rate for different dimensions inappropriate, and I usually stick to
the 30-cent rate for soft woods, and 40 for hard woods. As the job
gets larger, the board-foot rate may decrease somewhat depending on
what is to be cut.
Blade Fee: I charge $40/blade when they encounter metal or other
hard material that destroys the blade. Otherwise, there is no blade
charge for normal wear and tear.
Travel Fee: This MAY apply depending on distance. Typically, I do
not charge mileage within 20 miles of my home.
Sales Tax: I charge sales tax based on job location.
Due Date: Payment is due upon completion of the job. If this is not
possible, partial payment can be an option with a payment plan to
apply as agreed.
Remember: I cut by the finished board foot, not by a specific quote.
If I estimate a pile of logs has 1000 board feet in it but I yield
2000, YES, I will charge you for board feet produced, not the
original estimate of 1000 board feet. It is more expensive to you,
but you also end up with twice the estimated finished material! On
the other hand, I also have customers who ask for a specific amount
of material, and we stop cutting when that amount is reached. As you
can see, every cutting job can be altered specifically to your
needs.
“If you cut for me, what are the site requirements?”
If a truck hauling a ski boat can get to your logs, chances are, so
can I. A clean water supply is generally needed to clear the saw
workings and lubricate the blade. Access to restroom facilities is
welcome.
I expect the logs to be stacked on-site for easy loading to the
mill. Otherwise, the customer must have equipment to manipulate the
logs as needed. There must be enough room to tow the mill to a
RELATIVELY flat site. If there is no equipment to move the logs,
then the mill MUST be on the downhill side of the logs, and the logs
must be able to be rolled onto the loading forks of the saw.
"Can I review your contract?"