Hey everyone! I hope I'm posting this in the right spot. I've recently noticed a lot of individuals and small businesses selling milled lumber around Vancouver, Canada. I'm curious about how these operations work. Are they sourcing wood from legal harvesting areas? Do they do the milling at home? I'm really excited about the idea of starting this as a side hustle and would love your thoughts and advice on the subject!
3 Answers
Selling milled lumber can be really tricky. The profit margins are often super slim, and you need quite a bit of machinery to make it work efficiently. I had a friend who sawed up some cherry wood from trees he had cut down, and while we kept some for ourselves, trying to sell it was a hassle. Folks would come and look but often left empty-handed or bought just a board or two. Honestly, I spent more time stacking than selling! If you really want to do it, you might want to start small and see how it goes before investing in bigger equipment. It’s definitely more about love for woodworking than making big bucks!
Totally agree! So many tire kickers out there looking but not buying. Plus, everyone wants custom sizes for cheap instead of just picking from what's available.
You can definitely make money from selling milled lumber, especially if you know how to source your wood legally. Typically, if a tree falls, the landowner might have it milled for personal use or sell it to someone with the right equipment. Investing in your own mill can be profitable, but it may not feel like a true side hustle until your expenses are covered. Always good to approach it with that mindset!
As a construction estimator, I feel your pain! Margins are razor-thin in my industry too. It’s frustrating since wood is so beautiful; I’m stuck with second-hand furniture instead. But hey, at least I’m learning from your experiences!