“A truckload” sounds like plenty.
Until you try to compare it with a seller quoting a cord, a face cord or a loose load.
The Firewood Buyer’s Guide
Know what you’re buying before you order.
Compare the quantity, condition and full cost of a firewood order. Know what to ask the seller—and what to check when the truck arrives.
$19.99 USD · one-time purchase
Digital PDF · Checkout and delivery through Gumroad
A practical guide by Ryan J. O’Brien
If this sounds familiar
The uncertainty starts before the truck arrives.
“Seasoned” leaves questions unanswered.
You still need to know the wood’s condition, how it was stored and whether it fits your needs.
The cheapest quote keeps growing.
Delivery, stacking, access charges and your own handling can change the total.
The delivery is already on your driveway.
The pieces are too long—or the amount looks short—and nothing useful was written down.
What the guide helps you do
Make a clearer order. Check what arrives.
A practical buying process, from the first seller question to the last delivery check.
Put the order in writing.
Specify quantity, piece length, condition, access and delivery terms before you commit.
Compare like with like.
Convert quantities to full-cord equivalents and compare the full delivered cost.
Choose wood for your situation.
Use the 24-entry regional reference alongside the guide’s discussion of species, size and condition.
Inspect with a record to refer to.
Measure, photograph and document a delivery, then use the agreed order when raising discrepancies.
Work out what “free” really costs.
Include transport, equipment, time and handling when comparing buying, collecting or processing.
Plan the pickup as well as the purchase.
Think through source permission, local transport restrictions, access and safe handling.
Look inside the book
See the method on the page.
Actual pages from The Firewood Buyer’s Guide. Open any sample to read it larger.
Real book pages.
No sample account required.
Inside the book · Page 17
What a full cord actually means
A clear measurement diagram gives you a common basis for comparing quantities.
Inside the book · Page 22
Compare two complete quotes
The fictional Reed household example shows how delivery and stacking change the comparison.
Inside the book · Page 129
Keep the numbers side by side
Use the quantity and quote worksheet to record offers on a consistent basis.
Five printable worksheets included
Put the guide to work
in your own household.
Keep the important details together. Print a fresh sheet when you need to plan, compare or check again.
WORKSHEET 01Seller Questions & Order Specification
Write down exactly what you are ordering.
WORKSHEET 02Quantity Reference & Quote Comparison
Compare quantity and the full price.
WORKSHEET 03Delivery Inspection & Discrepancy Record
Record measurements and any concerns.
WORKSHEET 04Buy, Collect or Process Cost Comparison
Account for money, time and equipment.
WORKSHEET 05Source, Pickup & Handling Check
Plan permission, access and transport.
Made for a pen and a plan. All five worksheets are included in the PDF at US Letter size (8.5 × 11 inches). Print them at actual size and reuse them for personal household planning.
Buying well. Planning ahead.
The Complete
Firewood Bundle
Know what to order, then make a plan for the wood you bring home. Get both Lumberjack guides together.
- The Firewood Winter System
- The Firewood Buyer’s Guide
- Two PDF books with 10 printable worksheets in total
$29.99Individual total: $34.98Save $4.99
Get both guides — $29.99 One-time purchase. Digital PDFs. Checkout and delivery through Gumroad.
Behind the guides
Ryan J. O’Brien
Author of the Lumberjack firewood guides.
What’s inside
9 chapters.
One practical reference.
- Before You Contact a Firewood Seller
- Know Exactly What You Are Paying For
- Choose Firewood That Fits Your Needs
- Regional Firewood Reference — Species and Buying Tradeoffs
- Check Your Delivery and Resolve Problems
- Buying, Collecting or Cutting — Compare the Real Cost
- Find Affordable and Free Firewood Legally
- Cutting, Splitting and Equipment Decisions
- Pickup, Transport and Handling
Before you buy
A few useful answers.
Who is this guide for?
U.S. homeowners buying firewood, comparing suppliers or deciding whether to collect or process their own. It is particularly useful before placing an order or accepting a delivery.
Is it beginner-friendly?
Yes. It explains common units and seller terms, uses worked comparisons and provides checklists you can take into a real conversation with a supplier.
Does it apply outside the United States?
The guide is written for the United States, including U.S. cord measurements and regional examples. Some buying principles may transfer, but local units, laws, species and transport requirements can differ.
Can I print and reuse the worksheets?
Yes. The five worksheets are included in the PDF, sized for US Letter paper (8.5 × 11 inches), and may be printed again for your personal planning. They are designed to print and complete by hand.
How is the PDF delivered?
Gumroad handles checkout and digital delivery. After a successful purchase, you receive access to the PDF and an emailed receipt with a download link.
Is a printed book included?
No. This purchase is a digital PDF only. You can read it on a compatible device and print pages for personal use; there is no physical shipment.
How is this different from the Winter System?
The Buyer’s Guide focuses on the purchase: seller questions, quantity, price, delivery and alternatives to buying. The Winter System focuses on planning, seasoning, storing and using your supply across the heating season.
The Firewood Buyer’s Guide
Make your next firewood order a clearer one.
$19.99 USD · digital PDF
Get the Buyer’s Guide132 pages · 9 chapters · 5 printable worksheets