We earn commissions if you shop through the links below. Read more

How to Start a Firewood Business

Written by:

Esther is a business strategist with over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur, executive, educator, and management advisor.

Edited by:

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

How to Start a Firewood Business

Fast Facts

Investment range

$6,050 - $13,100

Revenue potential

$80,000 - $230,000 p.a.

Time to build

1 - 3 months

Profit potential

$40,000 - $90,000 p.a.

Industry trend

Growing

Commitment

Flexible

Firewood has many uses in America. People use it when they go camping and for their fireplaces, grills, and bonfires. So if there is significant demand for firewood in your area, becoming a firewood dealer could be a lucrative opportunity.  

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about starting a firewood business. From understanding the industry, all the way to hiring your first employee, we’ll leave no stone unturned. 

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Before you start your firewood business, it’s a good idea to understand the industry as a whole so you can find the best opportunities. 

Pros and cons

To gain a balanced view of the firewood industry, you should consider both the pros and cons.

Pros

  • Simple business model — sell wood for money
  • Steady demand in many areas
  • You’re the boss — work full or part-time

Cons

  • Demand is low in some areas
  • Preparing the wood can be labor-intensive
  • Danger of sharp tools and machinery

Firewood industry trends

About 2% of US homes rely on wood for heating, according to the US Census Bureau ((https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2018/02/who-knew-wood-burning-fuel.html)). While this may seem like a small amount, in some US counties as much as 60% of homes are heated by a wood stove. Also, many other homes have fireplaces, and a good number of people and restaurants use wood for grilling and cooking. 

Industry size and growth

firewood industry size and growth

Trends and challenges

The latest industry trends include:

  • Oil price spike causes surge in demand for firewood
  • Soaring prices due to strong demand

Some challenges faced by the industry are:

  • Supply chain problems
  • Environmental problems
firewood industry Trends and Challenges

Consumer spending

firewood industry consumer spending

How much does it cost to start a firewood business?

Starting a firewood business will likely cost between $8,500 and $60,000, with an average upfront investment of $30,000. 

Your costs will vary depending on the brand and condition of the equipment you buy. But here’s an estimated cost breakdown for starting a firewood business, excluding the cost of a production facility:

Start-up CostsBallpark RangeAverage
Setting up a business name and corporation$150 - $200175
Business licenses and permits$100 - $300200
Business cards and brochures$200 - $300250
Used truck$2,000 - $5,0003500
Tools and equipment$2,500 - $4,000$3,250
Insurance $100 - $300200
Website setup$1,000 - $3,0002000
Total$6,050 - $13,100$9,575

How much can you earn from a firewood business?

A cord is a stack of firewood measuring 128 cubic feet, or about 4 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 8 feet long. On average, a cord of ready-to-burn hardwood sells for $120 to $180, depending on your location and the wood quality. In some areas, when demand is high, a cord can be sold for as much as $400. So you’ll need to do some research to see what you can expect in your local area. 

In your first year or two, you could work from home and sell 10 cords a week at $150 each,  bringing in almost $80,000 in annual revenue. This would mean $40,000 in profit, assuming a 50% margin. As your brand gains recognition, sales could climb to 30 cords a week. At this stage, you’d rent a commercial space and hire staff, reducing your profit margin to around 40%. With annual revenue of around $230,000, you’d make a tidy profit of more than  $90,000.

You could also sell firewood bundles which are much smaller—about 0.75 cubic feet. This will involve more work to wrap and deliver, but you can also charge more for your firewood. 

firewood business earnings forecast

What barriers to entry are there?

Like many industries, there are a few barriers to overcome when selling firewood: 

  • Obtaining inventory
  • License to cut trees 
  • Low local demand

Related Business Ideas

If you’re still not sure whether this business idea is the right choice for you, here are some related business opportunities to help you on your path to entrepreneurial success.
How to Start a Firewood Business

How to Start a Carpentry Business

How to Start a Firewood Business

How to Start a Logging Business

How to Start a Firewood Business

How to Start a Woodworking Business

Step 2: Hone Your Idea

develop a business idea

Now that you’ve learned a bit more about the industry, it’s time to start brainstorming the details of your business. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Your competition will depend on who you decide to supply with firewood. If you want to sell directly to the public, then your competition could be grocery stores and other local wood sellers. 

If you want to supply grocery stores and convenience stores, then your competition will be other firewood wholesalers. 

Once you figure out who your competition will be, it’s time to do some research. Find out information such as the quality and type of firewood they sell, how much they charge, and who their main customers are. 

Knowing this information will help you find gaps in the market, improve your customer targeting and create a better brand. 

What? Determine your products or services

In general, starting a firewood business is already quite a niche market. But there may be options to specialize further depending on local demand. 

One of these ways is by selling kiln-dried firewood. This is a way to treat your firewood that ensures it’s free from insects and improves the firewood quality. One major benefit of this niche is that it’ll be easier for you to sell your firewood outside of your state because your wood could not lead to insect infestation. 

You could also specialize in the type of wood you sell, such as maple, oak, ash, and birch.

Above all, choosing a niche will help you build a brand identity and help you market your business. 

How much should you charge for firewood?

How much you charge will depend on the quality, type, and quantity of split firewood you sell at one time. Since the price of a cord of firewood can range from $120 – $400, it’s hard to give you a definite number.

Another factor to consider is delivery fees. You could offer free delivery and price the difference into your product or add a fee depending on the distance. The choice is yours. 

You’ll need to determine an acceptable average price for your local market and then tweak it based on the costs to produce your firewood. 

Once you know your costs, you can use this Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your mark-up and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify your target market

Once you’ve got a niche, you can start thinking about who your ideal target market will be. If you live in a small town, though, this might not be possible due to a lower population, so you’ll have to service multiple types of customers. 

But to give you an idea of the different firewood markets, here is a list: 

  • Grocery stores – You can wholesale your seasoned firewood to local grocery stores. While you’ll need to sell your wood at a lower price, you’ll be able to make up the difference through sheer volume. 
  • People who use wood for heating – These customers may require large amounts of wood since they’ll be using their stove daily. 
  • Casual users – These may be people who want to make a backyard fire on the weekend, campers, or people who want to hang out at the beach for a night.

By having a target market, you can focus your marketing and branding towards them specifically.

In turn, this will help increase your conversions and customer satisfaction. 

Where? Choose your business premises

You’ll want a business location that has enough space for storage and processing, yet is also close to your customers. 

In the early stages, you may want to run your business from home to keep costs low, but make sure that your property is suitable. As your business grows, you’ll likely need to hire workers for various roles and may need to rent out a production facility. You can find commercial space to rent in your area on sites such as Craigslist, Crexi, and Instant Offices.

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

  • Central location accessible via public transport
  • Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
  • Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
  • Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed
firewood business rating

Step 3: Brainstorm a Firewood Business Name

Your business name is your business identity, so choose one that encapsulates your objectives, services, and mission in just a few words. You probably want a name that’s short and easy to remember, since much of your business, and your initial business in particular, will come from word-of-mouth referrals.

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

  • Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
  • Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
  • The name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
  • Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
  • Including keywords, such as “wood” or “fire”, boosts SEO
  • Choose a name that allows for expansion: “Reliable Firewood Supply” over “Camping Firewood” or “BBQ Wood Supply”
  • Avoid location-based names that might hinder future expansion
  • Use online tools like the Step by Step business name generator. Just type in a few keywords and hit “generate” and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that set your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Firewood Business Plan

Every business needs a plan. This will function as a guidebook to take your startup through the launch process and maintain focus on your key goals. A business plan also enables potential partners and investors to better understand your company and its vision:

  • Executive Summary: A brief overview of the entire firewood business plan, summarizing key points and goals.
  • Business Overview: Detailed information about the firewood business, including its mission, vision, and the problem it aims to solve in the market.
  • Product and Services: Clear descriptions of the types of firewood and related services offered, emphasizing quality and customer satisfaction.
  • Market Analysis: A comprehensive examination of the firewood market, including target customers, trends, and potential growth opportunities.
  • Competitive Analysis: Evaluation of competitors in the firewood industry, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and strategies to gain a competitive edge.
  • Sales and Marketing: Detailed plans for promoting and selling firewood, encompassing pricing strategies, distribution channels, and marketing campaigns.
  • Management Team: Introductions to the key individuals leading the firewood business, emphasizing their qualifications and relevant experience.
  • Operations Plan: An outline of the day-to-day processes involved in sourcing, processing, and delivering firewood, ensuring efficiency and quality control.
  • Financial Plan: Projections of revenue, expenses, and profitability, providing a clear financial roadmap for the firewood business.
  • Appendix: Supplementary materials, such as additional data, charts, or supporting documents, providing extra context and detail to strengthen the business plan.
what to include in a business plan

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states offer real advantages when it comes to firewood. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your firewood business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

  • Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
  • General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
  • Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
  • C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
  • S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC, which just needs to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
types of business structures

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization, and answer any questions you might have.

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2024

starts at $0, plus state fees

4.7/5

starts at $0, plus state fees
Visit ZenBusiness

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number, or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist, and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

  • Bank loans: This is the most common method, but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
  • SBA-guaranteed loans: The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan.
  • Government grants: A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
  • Venture capital: Offer potential investors an ownership stake in exchange for funds, keeping in mind that you would be sacrificing some control over your business.
  • Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
  • Crowdfunding: Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
  • Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a firewood business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept. 

types of business funding

Step 8: Apply for Firewood Business Licenses and Permits

Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a firewood business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments. 

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits such as a seller’s permit and a firewood cutting permit if you cut trees on public land. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package. They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account.

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your firewood business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account.

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

  • General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
  • Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
  • Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
  • Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
  • Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
  • Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
  • Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
  • Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of any of the above insurance types.
types of business insurance

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

Launching a Business

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks.  

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as GoCanvas and Arborgold to track sales and manage your business.

Accounting

  • Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks, Freshbooks, and Xero
  • If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using website builders. This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization (SEO) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Marketing

For your firewood business, your marketing strategy should focus on highlighting the quality and reliability of your firewood, sustainable sourcing practices, and excellent customer service. Emphasize the variety of wood types offered, convenient delivery services, and the environmental benefits of using responsibly sourced firewood.

The goal is to establish your business as a trusted, eco-friendly, and customer-centric provider of high-quality firewood for heating and recreational purposes. Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

Kickstart Marketing

  • Professional Branding: Your branding should communicate warmth, reliability, and eco-friendliness. This includes your logo, website, and marketing materials.
  • Direct Outreach: Connect with local businesses, community groups, and potential customers at farmers’ markets, local events, and trade shows.

Digital Presence and Online Marketing

  • Professional Website and SEO: Develop a comprehensive website that details your products, delivery options, and sustainable practices. Use SEO best practices to rank for local and regional searches related to firewood sales and delivery.
  • Social Media Engagement: Utilize platforms like Facebook for community engagement and Instagram for showcasing your products and happy customers.

Content Marketing and Engagement

  • Firewood Blog: Publish informative articles on the best types of wood for different uses, tips for firewood storage, and the benefits of using sustainable firewood.
  • Customer Testimonials and Stories: Share experiences and reviews from satisfied customers.
  • Educational Videos: Create content demonstrating the proper use and storage of firewood.

Experiential and In-Person Engagements

  • Firewood Workshops and Demonstrations: Host or participate in events demonstrating firewood chopping, selection, and burning techniques.
  • Networking with Local Businesses: Partner with local campgrounds, barbecue restaurants, and stores to expand your customer base.

Collaborations and Community

  • Partnerships with Local Forestry Services and Environmental Groups: Collaborate to promote sustainable firewood usage and forest management.
  • Community Outreach: Engage in community initiatives, such as donating wood for local events or charity.

Customer Relationship and Loyalty Programs

  • Customized Orders and Bundles: Offer tailored firewood packages based on customer needs and preferences.
  • Regular Customer Rewards: Implement a loyalty program for repeat customers, offering discounts or special offers.

Promotions and Advertising

  • Targeted Advertising: Utilize local advertising and online platforms to reach potential customers in your region.
  • Email Marketing: Develop an email campaign to inform customers about new stock, seasonal offers, and firewood usage tips.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that set it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your firewood meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Some signature USPs for your firewood business could be:

  • The best ash and maple around
  • Fastest firewood delivery service 
  • Big discounts for bulk orders 
  • Subscription service for weekly/monthly deliveries 
types of business structures

Networking

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a firewood business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in logging for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in firewood. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. Online businesses might also consider affiliate marketing as a way to build relationships with potential partners and boost business.

Step 12: Build Your Team

Building a Team for a New Business

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a firewood business would include:

  • General labor – stacks and packs firewood
  • Driver – delivers firewood to customers
  • Marketing Lead – generates new clients

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter. Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Firewood Business – Start Making Money!

Running a Business

You’re now ready to start your entrepreneurial journey with your firewood business. Firewood should be easy to sell because most people need it, especially during cold days and nights. But you might expect a few bumps in the road in your first year or two, while you’re still learning the ropes and building up your business. 

It’s important that you go the extra mile for your customers to develop a good business reputation and inspire customer loyalty. You’ll get new customers too without having to spend more on advertising and marketing. 

Firewood Business FAQs

How do you price firewood?

Pricing your firewood will depend on your location, availability and type of firewood, and many other factors. So you’ll need to do some research into the average prices in your local area. Then, depending on your costs and the profit margin you desire, you may be able to increase or decrease this price.

What are the best types of firewood to sell?

Generally speaking, the best types of firewood would be hardwoods due to their burning qualities. Hardwoods burn hotter and longer than other types of wood, which will naturally make your customers happier. On the other hand, you’ll want to avoid any types of softwood as these won’t bring you the best return on your investment.

Can you make money with a firewood business?

The short answer is yes. If there is demand in your area, you are willing to put in the work to sell a quality product, and you take care of your customers, you will be able to make money.

Is selling firewood profitable?

Selling firewood can be profitable, particularly if you have a reliable source of wood and a strong customer base. Profitability depends on factors such as the cost of acquiring or harvesting wood, processing and storing it, and the local demand and pricing for firewood. 

Is firewood a good side business?

Firewood can be a good side business, especially if you have access to a consistent supply of wood and a market for firewood in your area. It can provide an additional income stream with relatively low startup costs. 

What is the fastest wood to grow for firewood?

The fastest-growing wood species for firewood depend on various factors such as climate, soil conditions, and local availability. Some fast-growing options include hybrid poplar, willow, and eucalyptus. 

What wood size is best to burn?

The best wood size for burning depends on the intended use and appliance. Generally, firewood is cut into lengths of 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 cm) for residential heating purposes. However, larger sizes may be required for commercial or industrial applications.

Can firewood get too dry?

Firewood can indeed become too dry, which can affect its burning characteristics. Extremely dry wood may burn too quickly, producing excess heat or causing the fire to burn out faster. It’s ideal to store firewood in a well-ventilated area to allow some moisture content to remain, which helps with combustion and heat output.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

How to Start a Firewood Business