How to Hire a Custom Sawyer for a Woodlot

Whether you are clearing trees on your property or cleaning up deadfall in your woodlot, making use of the wood makes sense. A custom sawyer with a portable mill can cut your lumber to your specifications on your property without the need to transport the logs. Finding a custom sawyer can be a bit of a challenge, but it is well worth the effort. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1. Calculate how many logs you need milled and what size of lumber you need from them. If you do not have a current need for lumber on your property, 2-by-4s and 4-by-4s are common useful sizes for many different projects.

2. Look for a local custom sawyer first through locals sources, such as custom builders, mills or home improvement stores. Many sawyers work only through word-of-mouth referrals, so asking around is your best bet.

3. Search for a custom sawyer on the Internet on a website like Craigslist by posting a request. If you don't reach one directly, someone who reads your ad may know of one.

4. Use Internet search sites such as Google or Yahoo! to find a custom sawyer in your area. You may also find some customer feedback from former clients to give you an indication of the skills and service you can expect.

5. Check the sawyer's references once you do locate one. Ask former customers what type of custom cutting he did for them, what the final cost was and how long it took.

6. Determine the cost of the job once you have a potential sawyer. Some sawyers charge by the hour and some charge by the board foot. An experienced sawyer will be able to estimate how long it will take or how much wood the project will produce.

7. Get your agreement in writing, including number of logs, size of lumber and total cost. Have the sawyer sign the contract. Even though sawyering is an age-old profession that has run on a handshake for many years, you'll save yourself potential grief and financial loss by getting it in writing.