How can I verify a firewood seller’s seasoning and drying stock before buying?

Walk the stacks. Ask the seller how they are labelled and rotated, and how the seller knows which wood was cut when. Look at the stack condition: covered or open, off the ground or not, with air moving through or packed tight. Dark ends, mould and bugs suggest trouble. Compare readings from the top, middle and bottom of a stack, since outside pieces dry faster than the inside.

Bring a moisture meter and test pieces from the middle of several stacks, not only the outside. Split a few and measure the fresh face. Pick the stacks yourself, rather than the ones offered.

Ask how stock is split between sale-ready, drying and still unprocessed, and compare that with the volume in the inventory figures. Look at the financial statements for the cost of stock on hand and ask how it is recorded. Also ask about complaints. Have customers returned wet loads? What is the usual drying routine for each type of wood? If a kiln is used, ask how it is run. Agree with the seller how stock will be counted and tested at closing. Ask how the seller will guarantee the wood to customers, and what they do when a complaint arrives.

Key takeaways

• Test moisture yourself on pieces from the middle of stacks you choose.
• Ask how stacks are dated, covered and rotated.
• Agree a joint count and moisture check of stock at closing.