Can You Make Money with a Sawmill?
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Owning a sawmill can be profitable if you provide high-quality products and services.
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By charging an hourly rate, pricing can be profitable for both sawmill owner and customer.
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To make money with a sawmill, identify your target market – homeowners, builders, or other businesses.
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Consider whether you want to run a full-time or seasonal sawmill business.
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A sawmill enables small lumber producers flexibility in cutting logs to their needs.
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Taking time to maintain equipment is worthwhile, as is comparing milled wood costs to store-bought lumber.
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Acquiring logs can be variable in cost and quality.
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Sourcing sustainable timber and establishing supply chain relationships helps ensure production quality and continuity.
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Essential equipment like band or circular saws cut logs efficiently.
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Over time, streamlining operations can increase productivity and profit.
Is Having Your Own Sawmill Worth It?
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Is having your own sawmill worth it? The answer to this question depends on several factors.
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First, you should consider the cost and effort involved in setting up and running a sawmill.
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Operating a sawmill requires a significant amount of knowledge and expertise.
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If you don’t have the knowledge and experience to run a sawmill safely and efficiently, working with a professional may be a better option.
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Generally, it costs 5-10% more to have your lumber milled on-site.
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It is also cheaper to buy 2 x 4’s from a big box store than it is to have them milled.
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So if you are more concerned with quantity over quality, saw milling may not be for you.
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For a source of lumber, a portable sawmill can be worth the investment.
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It can provide wood for your own projects and potentially even give you a side business.
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As a key piece of equipment on your farm, a portable sawmill can be both a source of lumber and profits.
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Taking the time to maintain and protect your sawmill is worth it.
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If you are looking to build for yourselves, the sawmill can quickly pay for itself once you start looking at lumber store prices compared to your milling costs.
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By milling your own wood you can save on having to purchase specific tools needed for certain pre-milled lumber tasks.
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Finally, a portable sawmill is worth considering if you have a steady supply of reliable timber.
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While the investment has challenges, the mill allows you to customize lumber to your needs.