Buying Firewood: Know What You’re Getting Before You Order
A good firewood purchase starts with a clear quantity, the right condition, honest delivery terms and wood that makes sense for how you burn. Use this guide to ask better questions and compare suppliers with confidence.
Quantity. Condition. Species. Delivery.
If those four details are clear before the truck arrives, you’re already ahead of most firewood buying problems.
Ask these questions before you place an order
A supplier doesn’t need a complicated sales pitch. You need clear answers to a few practical questions.
How much wood am I actually buying?
Ask for the quantity in a recognized measurement and make sure you understand the dimensions if a trade term is being used.
What condition is the wood in?
Ask whether it is green, air-dried, seasoned or kiln-dried—and how the supplier defines those terms.
What species or mix is included?
Species affects ignition, burn rate, heat output and coaling. A mixed load can be perfectly useful when you know what is in it.
How is it split and cut?
Confirm typical piece length and split size, especially if your stove or fireplace has a smaller firebox.
What does delivery include?
Ask about the delivery fee, minimum order, access requirements, where the load will be dumped and whether stacking costs extra.
Where was the wood sourced?
Local sourcing matters. Moving untreated firewood can spread invasive insects and diseases into new areas.
Make sure you’re comparing the same amount of wood
Price per “load” means very little if every seller’s load is a different size. Start with quantity, then compare price.
In Canada, a cord has a defined volume.
A cord is equivalent to 128 stacked cubic feet. Measurement Canada also recognizes other legal units for bulk firewood, including stacked cubic metres and cubic feet.
Measurement Canada provides consumer guidance on buying measured firewood and how quantities should be expressed.
Measurement Canada guidance →| Term | What to know | Best question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Cord | A defined quantity equal to 128 stacked cubic feet. | “Is this price for a full cord?” |
| Fraction of a cord | A smaller quantity expressed as a fraction of the full 128-cubic-foot cord. | “What fraction of a cord is included?” |
| Stacked cubic metre | A metric legal unit used for bulk firewood. | “How many stacked cubic metres am I getting?” |
| Face cord / stove cord | Common trade terms that may vary in actual volume. | “What are the stack dimensions or legal quantity?” |
| Bag / bundle / truckload | Convenient selling formats, but the amount depends on the seller. | “What quantity or dimensions does that represent?” |
“Seasoned” is useful—but ask what it actually means
Dryness has a major effect on how easily firewood lights and burns. The label alone doesn’t tell you how the wood was stored, how long it dried or how uniform the load is.
Recently cut wood
Usually needs additional drying time before it becomes good heating wood. It can make sense if you are buying well ahead of when you plan to burn it.
Dried over time
Ask how long it has been drying, whether it was split during that period and whether it was stored under cover with airflow.
Dried with controlled heat
Often chosen when a buyer wants ready-to-burn wood and a more controlled drying process. Confirm the supplier’s process and storage after drying.
Choose wood for how you actually burn
There is no single “best” species for every customer. Think about heat, burn duration, ignition, coaling, availability and price.
- Home heating: ask about dense hardwoods or hardwood mixes that suit longer burns and coaling.
- Fireplace ambience: consider wood that lights reliably and fits your fireplace well.
- Campfires: availability, convenience and local sourcing may matter more than maximum heat output.
- Cooking and smoking: ask specifically whether the wood is appropriate for food use.
- Mixed loads: can be excellent value when the seller clearly explains the mix.
- Piece size: species matters less if the pieces simply do not fit your appliance.
Know exactly what happens when the truck arrives
The easiest way to avoid disappointment is to settle the delivery details before you pay.
Confirm before ordering
- Delivery charge and minimum order.
- Dump location and driveway/access requirements.
- Whether the quantity is loose or stacked when measured.
- Whether stacking is available and what it costs.
- Typical log length and split size.
- Whether kindling or firestarters are available.
When the wood arrives
- Confirm the load matches the type and condition ordered.
- If quantity is sold by stacked volume, verify it once stacked.
- Move wood into a dry, ventilated storage setup promptly.
- Keep your receipt or order confirmation with quantity and price.
- Contact the supplier quickly if something differs materially from the order.
Where your firewood came from matters.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency warns that moving untreated firewood can spread invasive insects, diseases and other plant pests. Their guidance encourages consumers to buy and burn firewood locally and to ask where the wood was cut.
Things that deserve a second question
None of these automatically means a supplier is bad—but they are good reasons to ask for clarification before ordering.
Firewood buying FAQ
Is a face cord the same as a full cord?
No. A full cord has a defined volume of 128 stacked cubic feet. “Face cord” is a trade term that can represent a smaller quantity, so ask for the actual dimensions or legal quantity.
Should I always buy kiln-dried firewood?
Not necessarily. Kiln-dried wood can be convenient when you need ready-to-burn firewood, but properly dried air-seasoned wood may also perform well. Compare condition, price, storage and your timing.
Should I buy hardwood or softwood?
It depends on how you burn. Dense hardwoods are often preferred for longer heating burns, while other woods can be useful for quick fires and easier ignition. Availability and price matter too.
Can I take firewood to my cottage or campground?
Check first. CFIA warns that moving untreated firewood can spread invasive pests, and movement restrictions can apply in regulated areas. Buying local firewood near where you plan to burn it is the safer approach.
How much firewood should I order?
That depends on your appliance, climate, insulation, how often you burn and whether wood is your primary heat source. Start by understanding the quantity being sold, then track your usage over a season.
What should I ask a supplier before ordering?
Confirm quantity, condition, species or mix, piece size, source area, delivery fee, where the load will be placed, and whether stacking is included or available.
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