A full cord of firewood typically costs $250-$500 before delivery, with a common delivered price of about $350-$600 for seasoned hardwood. Species, seasoning, local supply, delivery distance, stacking, and whether the seller is quoting a full cord or a smaller face cord all affect the final bill.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full cord, unseasoned mixed wood | $200 | $300 | $400 | Usually sold for seasoning at home |
| Full cord, seasoned mixed hardwood | $250 | $400 | $600 | Price depends on species and region |
| Full cord, premium hardwood | $350 | $500 | $700 | Oak, hickory, or carefully dried wood |
| Face cord, seasoned wood | $100 | $150 | $250 | Often one-third of a full cord, but verify dimensions |
What a Full Cord of Firewood Usually Costs
A legal full cord measures 128 cubic feet when stacked, commonly arranged as a pile 4 feet high, 8 feet long, and 4 feet deep. In many markets, buyers pay $250-$500 for a standard cord of cut, split wood; delivery can raise the total to $350-$600. Premium or kiln-dried hardwood can reach $700 or more where supply is limited.
For a planning estimate, budget about $400-$500 delivered for a cord of seasoned mixed hardwood. That estimate assumes ordinary access, a local supplier, standard 16-inch logs, and no stacking service. Rural areas with abundant local wood may be cheaper, while dense cities and places with short heating seasons can have higher prices.
Price per cord is not the only useful comparison. A face cord is a stack usually 4 feet high and 8 feet long, but its depth varies with log length. If it is 16 inches deep, it contains about one-third of a full cord and commonly costs $100-$250. Ask for the stack dimensions rather than relying on the seller’s label.
Assumptions: Typical U.S. retail delivery, split wood, standard household fireplace or stove, and ordinary road access. Local quotes vary with season and wood availability.
How Cutting, Seasoning, and Delivery Shape the Quote
Firewood quotes combine the wood itself with processing and delivery. A seller may advertise a low price for unsplit logs or unseasoned wood, then charge separately for splitting, hauling, stacking, or a small-load minimum. Comparing the same wood condition and delivered quantity helps reveal the actual value.
| Quote component | Typical price | What changes the charge | How it is commonly billed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood and splitting | $200-$500 per cord | Species, moisture, log length, and processing | Per cord or face cord |
| Seasoning or kiln drying | $30-$150 extra per cord | Drying method and moisture level | Added to wood price |
| Local delivery | $25-$100 | Distance, truck access, and load size | Flat fee or mileage |
| Stacking | $25-$100 per cord | Stack location, stairs, and carrying distance | Per cord or labor hour |
| Small-load or urgent service | $20-$75 extra | Minimum order and schedule demand | Trip fee or rush charge |
Delivery may be included in a quote, but the term can mean that wood is dumped at the driveway, not carried to a woodshed. Stacking is usually a separate service. Ask whether the driver will place the load in one accessible spot, whether a wheelbarrow route is included, and whether extra charges apply for a narrow driveway or steep grade.
When labor is charged by time, a straightforward unload or stack might take 1-3 hours. A typical rate for manual outdoor labor is about $25-$50 per worker per hour, though local rates vary. A two-person crew working two hours at $35 per hour would add about $140 before any travel fee.
The written quote should state the measured quantity, wood condition, delivery point, and any stacking charge. These details prevent an advertised cord price from being confused with the cost of a smaller stack or a driveway-only drop.
Why Hardwood Species and Log Length Change the Price
Species affect heat output, burn time, and local demand. Oak, hickory, and beech often cost more than softer or mixed hardwood because they are dense and can provide longer fires when properly seasoned. Maple, ash, and birch may fall in the middle, while pine and other softwoods can be less expensive but generally burn faster.
Across many markets, mixed hardwood sells for about $250-$450 per cord, while premium oak or hickory may run $350-$650. These are broad retail ranges, not fixed national prices. A region with nearby sawmills or abundant hardwood can price premium species below the local average; a city relying on hauled-in firewood may charge more.
Length also affects both price and usability. Common fireplace logs are 16 inches long, while some wood stoves fit 18- or 20-inch pieces. A seller may charge $10-$40 more per cord for a custom cut, especially if it requires a separate processing run. Measure the firebox before ordering: pieces that are too long create extra cutting work and may not fit safely.
Moisture condition matters as much as species. Seasoned wood is commonly expected to have moisture content near or below 20% when measured on a freshly split face. Some sellers charge $30-$150 more per cord for kiln-dried wood, which is processed to a more consistent moisture level. Ask how the wood was dried and when it was split; the word “seasoned” alone does not guarantee a specific moisture reading.
Confirm species, average log length, and moisture condition before comparing per-cord prices. A lower price for green mixed wood is not directly comparable to a premium cord of dry oak ready to burn.
How Much Do Wood Volume and Stack Size Matter?
Volume confusion is a major source of price disputes. A cord is 128 cubic feet of stacked wood, including the air spaces between pieces. Loose-thrown wood occupies more space than neatly stacked wood, so a truck bed that looks full does not automatically represent a cord. Request the seller’s stack dimensions or a clear equivalent volume in writing.
A face cord has no single universal depth. Sellers commonly use a 4-by-8-foot face with logs 16 inches long, which works out to about one-third of a full cord. With 24-inch pieces, the same face dimensions contain about half a cord. As a result, a face-cord price of $150 could represent roughly $450 per full-cord equivalent at 16-inch depth, before delivery.
Some sellers use terms such as “rick,” “rack,” or “truckload.” Those labels can mean different quantities from one area or supplier to another. A half-cord order should contain about 64 cubic feet stacked; a quarter cord should contain about 32 cubic feet. Have the seller state the actual dimensions and quantity on the receipt.
For a rough comparison, divide the face-cord price by the portion of a full cord it contains. If a 16-inch face cord costs $175, the full-cord equivalent is about $525. This does not mean the buyer should expect exactly three face cords at that same rate; smaller orders may have higher per-unit delivery and handling costs.
Measure the delivered stack, not the truck bed, when verifying a cord. The seller and buyer should agree whether the quantity is stacked volume, loose volume, or a named local unit before payment.
How Far Delivery and Urban Location Push the Price
Transport distance and local supply create meaningful price differences. A supplier close to forest land or a wood-processing operation may deliver a cord for less than a city seller hauling wood across a metro area. In general, urban delivered prices can run 10%-30% above nearby rural prices, while remote properties may pay extra for a long trip or limited truck access.
For a short local delivery, expect roughly $25-$100, sometimes included in the cord price. A longer route may add $1-$3 per mile, a flat surcharge, or a higher minimum order. These are common quote structures rather than universal tariffs. Ask whether distance is measured one way or round trip and whether the fee changes for a second drop location.
Access can affect the price even when the address is close. A truck that cannot reach the drop point may leave the wood farther away, and carrying it uphill or through a narrow gate can add $25-$100 for stacking or handling. Steep terrain, soft ground, low branches, and limited turnaround space can also affect whether the supplier accepts the job.
Regional conditions matter too. In colder northern states, firewood demand can be strong and premium hardwood may cost more before winter. In parts of the South, plentiful supply can keep mixed hardwood prices lower, though transport and local species influence the result. Compare at least three local delivered quotes rather than applying one national figure to every market.
Compare delivered totals for the same quantity and drop location, not just advertised cord prices. A supplier charging more for the wood may still be cheaper overall if delivery is included and access is straightforward.
What Three Typical Firewood Quotes Look Like
These examples show how wood type, quantity, and service change a realistic bill. They are illustrative U.S. estimates, not guaranteed local quotes. Each assumes a residential delivery with ordinary truck access; unusual travel distance, stairs, or difficult stacking can change the total.
| Order and service | Wood price | Other charges | Estimated total |
|---|---|---|---|
| One cord, green mixed hardwood, driveway drop | $275 | $40 delivery | $315 |
| One cord, seasoned oak, delivery and stacking | $450 | $60 delivery and $75 stacking | $585 |
| One 16-inch face cord, seasoned mixed hardwood | $165 | $35 delivery | $200 |
For the first example, the lower price reflects wood that needs additional drying before regular use. The second represents a higher-cost species and labor to stack it near the home. The third is a smaller order with a higher per-cord equivalent: $165 for approximately one-third of a cord works out to about $495 per full-cord equivalent before delivery.
For a premium kiln-dried order, a buyer might see $500-$700 for the cord plus $40-$100 for delivery, putting the total around $540-$800. This price can make sense when immediate, reliably dry fuel is important, but the buyer should confirm moisture claims and quantity rather than assuming that kiln-dried automatically means a full cord.
Use the delivered total and the full-cord equivalent to compare these scenarios. The cheapest quote may not be the lowest-cost option if it contains green wood, a smaller stack, or no placement service.
When Seasonal Firewood Prices Rise or Ease
Firewood often costs more when households place last-minute orders during cold weather. In busy fall and early-winter periods, prices may rise 5%-20% compared with off-season offers, and delivery appointments can be harder to schedule. The difference varies with local inventory, weather, and how much dry wood suppliers held from the prior season.
Ordering in spring or summer can provide more choices and easier scheduling. Some suppliers discount unseasoned wood when demand is low, but that purchase is only economical if the buyer has a dry, ventilated place to store it and enough time for seasoning. Many hardwoods need roughly 6-12 months to dry adequately, depending on species, split size, climate, and airflow.
Wood sold in the fall as seasoned may have been split recently, so its actual moisture can be higher than expected. A handheld moisture meter can help check a freshly split piece; readings vary by meter and sampling method. Ask the supplier whether the wood is ready to burn, and consider buying a smaller test load before committing to a large quantity from an unfamiliar seller.
Urgent delivery can also add a fee or require a small-load minimum. A delivery scheduled within a day may cost $20-$75 extra where suppliers offer rush service. If a cold snap is forecast, booking several weeks ahead can reduce scheduling pressure, although an early purchase only saves money if the wood can be stored safely.
Buying early can lower the rush premium, but only dry wood is a true ready-to-burn bargain. Include storage space and seasoning time in the budget alongside the quoted price.
Ways to Lower a Cord of Wood Bill Without Sacrificing Usability
Choose the quantity that fits the season rather than ordering more wood than can be stored properly. A full cord can be a poor value if the stack sits on wet ground or remains uncovered and the wood deteriorates. For occasional fires, a face cord may be more practical, even if its per-cord equivalent is higher.
Compare mixed hardwood with premium oak or hickory. A well-seasoned mixed load may cost $50-$150 less per cord than a premium species and still suit many fireplaces and stoves. Ask for the species mix and avoid paying a premium for a label that does not identify what the load contains. Do not substitute softwood if the appliance manufacturer or local guidance advises against it.
Reduce delivery expense by choosing a supplier close to the property, meeting a minimum-load threshold, or coordinating a delivery with a neighbor if the supplier permits split drops. Confirm that a shared order does not create two separate trip fees. A driveway drop is typically less expensive than carrying and stacking wood at a distant storage location.
Get written quotes from at least three suppliers and compare the same stack volume, species, moisture condition, log length, and service level. Ask whether sales tax, delivery, and stacking are included. A quote that is $40 lower may not be cheaper if it delivers a smaller face cord or charges separately for unloading.
The most reliable savings come from avoiding unnecessary delivery and premium-species charges while buying the right quantity. Keep the wood dry and properly stored; replacing damaged fuel can erase a small upfront discount.
Questions to Ask Before Paying for a Cord
Ask, “Is this a full cord, face cord, or another measured quantity?” Request dimensions in feet and inches, including stack depth. For a full cord, the standard stacked volume is 128 cubic feet. If the answer relies only on “rick” or “truckload,” ask the supplier to translate that term into a measurable stack before placing the order.
Ask, “Is the wood seasoned and ready to burn?” Find out the species, when it was split, the typical moisture content, and whether the seller will demonstrate a meter reading. A stated moisture target near 20% or less is a useful benchmark for many home-burning situations, but buyers should follow their appliance instructions and local safety guidance.
Ask, “What is included in the total?” Confirm delivery distance, where the driver will unload, whether stacking is included, and whether there are charges for stairs, long carries, or minimum quantities. Also ask whether the price includes taxes and whether there is a fee for a restricted access road or a second delivery attempt.
Finally, check local rules before bringing firewood across county or state lines. Some areas restrict movement of untreated firewood to limit the spread of pests. Buying from a local supplier can reduce transport costs and help avoid a load that cannot legally be moved to the intended location.
A clear written quote should identify quantity, species, log length, moisture condition, delivery, and stacking. With those details, buyers can judge whether the price is fair and avoid paying full-cord rates for a smaller load.