Im looking to open a small brick and mortar shop with a small lumber warehouse within. The nearest shop is about 45 mins to an hour away from me And has been closed for months. And no good hardwood sources close by. Any info on how i can become a lumber supplier in central Massachusetts? Or any tips on which hardwood retailers offer "become a vendor"
Jmcustoms
there is a guy here close to me that sells lumber that does not grow
in our vicinity. every six months or so, he hooks up his big trailer
and travels around the country buying lumber that has been kiln dried
and ready to use. I have no idea if he makes a living from it or not.
he is retired and he just likes selling lumber. (and traveling).
so I guess it depends on how you want to accumulate your lumber:
have it shipped to you sight unseen or drive around the country and hand select it yourself.
.
in our vicinity. every six months or so, he hooks up his big trailer
and travels around the country buying lumber that has been kiln dried
and ready to use. I have no idea if he makes a living from it or not.
he is retired and he just likes selling lumber. (and traveling).
so I guess it depends on how you want to accumulate your lumber:
have it shipped to you sight unseen or drive around the country and hand select it yourself.
.
In my area you would struggle to compete. There is multiple suppliers that have hundreds of thousands bf in stock at all times. All the thicknesses, all hardwoods, and services that they basically give away. I can buy red oak straight line ripped, planed for less than 2$. Maybe your area is different.
I think it would be a neat concept if you could do something like woodcraft. Tools, wood, etc. talking big investment though.
I think it would be a neat concept if you could do something like woodcraft. Tools, wood, etc. talking big investment though.
Lumber retail is tough business. No one wants to pay retail prices.
Bless you for wanting to try!
Hope you have a second income as it takes a year or more to get store established?
Both Rockler and Woodcraft franchise stores have access to lumber supplies from corporate warehouse. Franchise prices include twice the shipping costs (mill to warehouse and warehouse to store) which get expensive when wood is milled far away, or warehouse is long distance. Local Rockler store manager claims he barely breaks even on lumber sales in store. Local Woodcraft only carries exotic species as they could not compete with lumberyard prices, despite they are 45-60 minutes away on opposite sides of town.
Shipping cost management is big part of selling lumber; due mass, weight, and transportation methods.
Here in AZ; shipping costs occupy 1/3-1/2 the cost of domestic species. Example: White oak in Midwest - $1.50 bdft by bundle. Delivered cost to AZ ~$2.75 bdft, more if partial truck load. Retail price - $4+. It varies by species too. Can get Mexican king wood delivered to AZ for less than walnut from MO/IN/OH.
Best plan is to buy local.
Find all the sawmills in your area. Call and ask for wholesale price sheets. Keep calling mills further and further away from store until you find folks that offer all the woods you want to carry. Most mills send out monthly price lists, inventory levels, and occasionally special surplus pricing on things like shorts or non FAS grades. Have to buy in full units; 300-1500 bdft each stack. Expect to have over massive amount of dollars tied up in inventory for just 20 species. Don't forget need a lot of space for fork lift to unload delivery trucks and store stacks of lumber until folks buy it.
BTW - Chasing lumber is hard work. Will spend a lot of time finding and maintaining decent sawmill supplier list.
If you need sources, look at woodweb site. They cater to commercial industry. They have a lumber buying guide. There is also a directory on sawing/drying sources They have an exchange too, where mills post surplus lots for sale.
Update: Best lumber prices usually come from larger mills. But some of the local small mills can have bargains when they run out of room to store wood. Be sure to check on Woodmizer 'find a sawyer' page for local sources. Regional sales offices of large mill equipment makers (Timberking, Baker, Mcdonough, Brewco, HMC, etc) will also know area mills that be looking for new customers.
Not an expert. Had similar retail lumber sales idea once.
Only passing on what I found, before I decided against the idea.
May the FOREST be with you!
Bless you for wanting to try!
Hope you have a second income as it takes a year or more to get store established?
Both Rockler and Woodcraft franchise stores have access to lumber supplies from corporate warehouse. Franchise prices include twice the shipping costs (mill to warehouse and warehouse to store) which get expensive when wood is milled far away, or warehouse is long distance. Local Rockler store manager claims he barely breaks even on lumber sales in store. Local Woodcraft only carries exotic species as they could not compete with lumberyard prices, despite they are 45-60 minutes away on opposite sides of town.
Shipping cost management is big part of selling lumber; due mass, weight, and transportation methods.
Here in AZ; shipping costs occupy 1/3-1/2 the cost of domestic species. Example: White oak in Midwest - $1.50 bdft by bundle. Delivered cost to AZ ~$2.75 bdft, more if partial truck load. Retail price - $4+. It varies by species too. Can get Mexican king wood delivered to AZ for less than walnut from MO/IN/OH.
Best plan is to buy local.
Find all the sawmills in your area. Call and ask for wholesale price sheets. Keep calling mills further and further away from store until you find folks that offer all the woods you want to carry. Most mills send out monthly price lists, inventory levels, and occasionally special surplus pricing on things like shorts or non FAS grades. Have to buy in full units; 300-1500 bdft each stack. Expect to have over massive amount of dollars tied up in inventory for just 20 species. Don't forget need a lot of space for fork lift to unload delivery trucks and store stacks of lumber until folks buy it.
BTW - Chasing lumber is hard work. Will spend a lot of time finding and maintaining decent sawmill supplier list.
If you need sources, look at woodweb site. They cater to commercial industry. They have a lumber buying guide. There is also a directory on sawing/drying sources They have an exchange too, where mills post surplus lots for sale.
Update: Best lumber prices usually come from larger mills. But some of the local small mills can have bargains when they run out of room to store wood. Be sure to check on Woodmizer 'find a sawyer' page for local sources. Regional sales offices of large mill equipment makers (Timberking, Baker, Mcdonough, Brewco, HMC, etc) will also know area mills that be looking for new customers.
Not an expert. Had similar retail lumber sales idea once.
Only passing on what I found, before I decided against the idea.
May the FOREST be with you!
That's a tough one. I get my hardwood from Barney and Carey in Avon, MA. They are a small one-shop company, and share the space with a rock climbing hold company. You might talk to the three owners there and see what they have to say, share, lead…
There is also Henry, a seemingly one man shop in Bridgwater, near the Cape. He opens infrequently, and has his own kiln. He told me he can do about 3000 bf at a time. It might also be worth having a talk with him.
http://woodworksboston.com/meet-woodworks
There is also Henry, a seemingly one man shop in Bridgwater, near the Cape. He opens infrequently, and has his own kiln. He told me he can do about 3000 bf at a time. It might also be worth having a talk with him.
http://woodworksboston.com/meet-woodworks
Only 45-60 minutes away? In the Midwest, an hour south of Chicago, I don't think a minute about driving that time for wood. Had a supplier 20 minutes away, but not enough volume to keep it. Changed owners several times, all with the same idea as you, but couldn't make it pay. They also sold tools, supplies, and trim. I wish you luck if that is what you want.
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