How do I pass my firewood customers and wood lot contacts to the next owner?

Separate your contacts into two groups. Customers need to know deliveries will continue, who to call and whether anything changes. Wood lot owners and cutters need to know the new owner will pay as you did and take wood as you did. Consider a short handwritten note or phone call for older customers who may not respond to a text message.

For customers, make a list with their address, usual order, preferred timing and any special instructions such as gate codes or stacking requests. Ride along on deliveries with the new owner for a season. A friendly message from you before the change goes a long way.

For wood sources, visit each in person. Explain the arrangement you have with them, how you pay and how pickups are scheduled. Some owners will want to meet the buyer before agreeing to carry on. Do not assume they will. Write it all down, including quirks about particular lots, roads and landowners. Agree on how long you will stay available after handover for questions and calls, and ask your lawyer to include it in the sale documents. Thank your suppliers sincerely, as goodwill built over many seasons is hard for a newcomer to earn alone.

Key takeaways

• Introduce the new owner in person to customers and wood lot owners.
• Write down each contact’s habits, instructions and arrangements.
• Agree how long you stay available for questions after handover.