I'm trying to get into the wood selling business, but to be honest, I don't know much about wood at all. My brother, who's a carpenter (or was a table maker, not sure what to call him), told me that I need to learn about the different types of wood and their rarity before I start selling. I'm eager to know what wood is used for, how to price it, and any resources that can help me get up to speed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Before diving into selling wood, it's important to clarify how you got interested in this. Are you sitting on a stockpile you want to sell, or are you looking to become a trader? The market for wood really depends on what's in demand, especially with domestic wood. Currently, walnut and quarter/rift sawn white oak are popular and can fetch a nice price. Just keep in mind that some woods like red oak and cherry aren't as valuable right now.
I genuinely wonder how you plan on starting this venture without knowing about wood. Seriously, how will you buy, store, and sell it? It feels a bit like someone saying they want to be a millionaire without a business plan! But here's a tip: woods are usually sold by lineal foot or board foot, so getting familiar with that is crucial.
If you’re looking for pricing averages, checking places like Bell Forest is a good start. They give you an idea of current prices in the U.S. Just remember, if you're a private seller, you're not likely to get retail prices—more like 50% of retail. It’s good to know your market before selling!