I'm looking for some insights on the cost of kiln drying wood. I live in eastern Pennsylvania and I have around 175 board feet that's about 1 to 2 inches thick. A local service quoted me $1 per board foot for the drying process. Is that a fair price?
2 Answers
In my experience, $1 for 1" thick is average. I used to pay about $0.14 per board foot per day in Maryland for drying. For thicker wood like 2", prices can vary a bit more. Black walnut will definitely dry a bit differently than something like white oak, but overall, you seem to be getting a fair deal!
That price sounds pretty reasonable! $1 per board foot is typical for 1" thick wood. For 2" thick wood, it could be a bit low, but it really all comes down to the moisture content and the wood type. Kiln services often prefer larger quantities, so paying $1 for 175 bf makes sense.
Thanks for the insight! It's good to know I'm not getting ripped off. I appreciate the details on how species affect drying!