How much to charge for portable sawing when starting out.

[Ozarkian]

So, I am preparing to purchase a mill as many of you know  .  I would like some advice  regarding how much I should charge for my service (if) I get requests to saw for somebody else.

I have been offered a fantastic deal on a EZ Boardwalk Jr. and some other tools that I need!  I will be picking them up in the next week or so.  (hopefully sooner!!). The gentlemen that has the tools has been very generous, helpful, and kind. I am very grateful for meeting him, not just for the equipment, but his willingness to share advice like many of you. 

All the below listed for $4,500.00:
EZ BOARDWALK JR. (Already spoke with Mr. Zimmerman's Wife about getting the tow package for $400.00)
EZ BOARDWALK BLADE SHARPENING SYSTEM
DELTA 15" PLANER # DC380 - 2 SPEED 3HP 220 VOLT
DELTA 10" UNISAW TABLE SAW TILTING ARBOR #36824 - 3HP 220 VOLT
DELTA VERSA FEEDER #36865 - 2 SPEED 110 VOLT
HITACHI IS 10" SLIDE COMPOUND MITER SAW WITH STAND #C10FSH - 110 VOLT
DELTA SAWS HAVE 50' 10-3 CORDS WITH TWIST LOCK PUGS

Of course, before I begin sawing for other's (if) I do at all...  I will saw much of my own logs to get the hang of it.

I know the EZ Boardwalk Jr is a smaller mill, and will not produce as much as the 40 for example.  So, what would be a reasonable price for me to charge... Starting out?

-Ozarkian

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kansas]

Thats a whack of machinery. Figure out how much you can cut an hour on your own logs, and what you need to make it worth your while. Take a look around your area what smaller bandmills charge. Don't feel obligated to match or go lower than them. You might check craigslist in your area and see if anyone is advertising rates. Check any possible websites of mills you know in your area. If I had to give a range, with reasonably decent logs, I would say 35-45 cents a board foot. If you are presented with not reasonable logs, if you know what you could normally cut in an hour, charge by the hour. That 35 to 45 cents may not hold for your area. Competition, plus types of trees, plus quality of logs, makes a big difference. Don't try to compete with or worry about the big mills as far as some sort of price per board foot. You don't have to.

[Ozarkian]

Thanks Kansas, I will compare rates.  I don't foresee doing much for others.  But you never know, if the price is right...

[slider]

nice setup ozarkian,i know you must be excited.you might want to get some time in on your mill before you go public . believe me things can happen when you have a crowd around and you and your mill are still new to each other. best of luck to you  al

[Cedarman]

Focus and rythym are very important when sawing.  If someone or something causes a loss of focus, then a loss of synchonization will occur.  This is when you will back up before disengaging thus knocking blade off, making a miscut, sawing a dog, putting a blade on backwards, forgetting to tension the blade, sawing into a cant hook handle,  etc.
Develop this focus and rythym when sawing your own logs and it will be easier to keep from being distracted when other people are around.

[Ozarkian]

Develop this focus and rythym when sawing your own logs and it will be easier to keep from being distracted when other people are around.

Headphone's check! 

[Magicman]

I think that you made out like a bandit.      That is some nice stash.

[hunterbuild]

Looking good. Planner is my next wish.

[paul case]

Just as a point of reference, I charge $.30 bdft for sawing. If it is shorts or needs a lot of triming or odd ball sizes I sometimes do that by the hour and thats $40.
However I think you should deffinately get some time in on messingcutting your own stuff up. Experience is the best teacher! PC

[Ozarkian]

Look's like God is guiding me down the right path.  I go look for a good used mill, and I get nearly an entire woodworking setup. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

-Ozarkian

[LeeB]

For the area you/we are in, $0.25 - $0.30 is abou the going rate. Nice score on the equipment.

[cypresskayaksllc]

So much for that budget . Nice set up.

[Red Pill]

That's a great haul for that money. Good on 'ya.

[Meadows Miller]

Gday

Great score on the mill and equipment your set up now at a fraction off the cost Mate ohh and with my comment on your other thread about offering him $3k was more to do with letting him know what you had to work with but for an extra $1500 you have done bloody well Im stoked for you Mate 

Everyones given great advice and Richard is spot on with rythym as its what you need to keep production numbers up on any mill a nice steady pace is whats needed and dont push yourself to hard as its a marathon not a sprint you gotta go all day but you can get alot done on a little mill if your organised with it you could do say $220 to $350 per day if your depending on what your charging,sizes sawn on the bft rates the fellas have given     

Good luck and I think you have the drive and ambition to make a good go off it Mate

Regards Chris
 

[mikerat]

WOW! I get goose bumps just looking at all of that stuff, you are a lucky guy. I cant saw at home and only cut on site so I always charge by the hour and I have never really figured it by the board foot. Good Luck to you your off to a good start.

Mike

[samandothers]

Congrats on your find.  I've been following you posts on search and thought you were heading toward Woodmill.  Nice Score.

[Ozarkian]

  I forgot to set this topic to notify of new comments!  I checked my e-mail a couple of times and nothing was there!    But... rest assured, it's set now!

Samandothers:  Thanks! I was going with the Woodland Mills until the gentlemen with these items accepted my offer.  If for some reason this deal falls through  , I don't think it will and pray that it doesn't, I will buy the HM 126.  We have come to a verbal agreement and the item's are not listed for sale.  Just waiting (going crazy ) to take the several hour trip to go pick them up!    I like to hear that you are following my posts, makes me feel as if I am making somewhat of a contribution to this forum...  And I don't even have my set-up yet!  Wait til' I do, I am a very picture happy individual!!   

Mikerat:  I do to, as I have only seen the pictures.  I have them readily available to whisper sweet nothings to them before I fall asleep!      That's gotta be tough not being able to saw at home.  What's preventing you aside from the noise?  Neighbors, city limit laws, sensitive-to-sound spouse?? 

I have been trying to learn the whole BF measurements myself, I downloaded an app to my iPhone that seems like it would work fairly well with somebody who know's how to use it... 

I feel blessed to be in this situation to gain all this knowledge and support from all of you, my Wife, family, and even my friends.  I was a bit nervous telling people my dreams, I thought I would hear nothing but "that's a terrible idea" or "it won't work".  Instead, I have received 90% positive feedback - and even a few who seemed more excited than me .  The other 10% was the usual pessimist, but after showing them; video clips, pictures, and explaining how I believe I have truly found my passion - they became optimist!

I would say this to ANY individual with a dream, if you have a yearning inside of you to do something, ANYTHING: First - Pray about it, Second - gain approval from your spouse (their support is crucial), Third - give it everything you have.  If you do, even if it does not work out as anticipated, you'll know you did everything you could - and that is what truly matters.

Meadows:  Thanks, I am very pleased with it!  At least I know if my goals don't pan out, I will be able to make my money back!  Or bless somebody else with the same opportunity I have been given. 

I am looking forward to learning my "rhythm ", I finally learned my Chainsaw rhythm  and was able to go all day without cutting of one of my limbs , maybe I can somehow synchronize the two!

Appreciate the feedback. I have been putting a LOT of hard work into making this happen...  Even if much of it was sitting in front of the computer reading for hours (more like days) on end researching as much as I possibly could!  I am determined to make this work! 

Cypress:  Haha, I was just saying to my wife how EXTREMELY appreciative I am of her today  .  Of course... she asks why... I told her "because your the best and the worst ", "Thank you, wait Excuse me!" she responded...  "Your the best Wife and Friend I could ever ask for, but you are the worst at controlling allowances! "    From now on...  I AM IN CONTROL OF THE CHILDREN'S ALLOWANCE! 

LeeB:  Is that for going to them, or them bring you the logs?  Where are you located?  Thanks!

-Ozarkian

[swampbuggy]

As I have shown you I have a much smaller mill than the EZ  and I had a fella ask me to do some sawing for him. I quoted the price of $1.00 per lineal foot of usable lumber cut to his specs. He jumped on it. No figuring b/f or anything else and if he has smaller logs ( which he does) it all works out the same for me.  As I am learning the craft, as you will be too, something is better than nothing. My something actually pays ok for right now.

Excellent find on your buy. The wait and see method always works the best. Expect good things and they will happen. S

[CalebL]

For the area you/we are in, $0.25 - $0.30 is abou the going rate. Nice score on the equipment.

I charge $.30 if they bring the logs to me and $.35 with a 1000' minimum to take the mill to them. 2 of the large mills around me have just raised their prices to $.50 a foot and you have to bring the logs to them.

[LeeB]

I only do custom sawing at their location and have not done any in a while. I will likely raise my price to 0.35 if and when I do start custom sawing again. I'm just south of you in Pyatt AR.