Firewood prices in north Jersey are all over the place, and most of that is not the wood. It is the unit. One seller quotes a “cord,” another quotes a “face cord,” a third quotes a “truckload,” and the numbers look nothing alike. Here is how to compare them honestly, what goes into the price, and what I charge.
What does a cord of firewood cost in Morris County?
For seasoned, split mixed hardwood delivered to your house, many local sellers in north Jersey land somewhere around $300 to $450 for a full cord. Where a seller falls in that range comes down to the wood (oak and hickory cost more than soft maple or poplar), how long it was seasoned, how far they drive, and whether delivery and stacking are included or added on.
Kiln-dried firewood shipped in on pallets from out of state costs a lot more. Per cubic foot it often runs several times the price of local seasoned cordwood. You are paying for the kiln, the packaging and the freight.
My price: full cord $350, half cord $250, delivery included anywhere in Morris County. Stacking is extra and I quote it on the phone.
Compare prices by the full cord, not the label
A full cord is 128 cubic feet of stacked wood. That is the only firewood unit with a real definition. A face cord is one row 4 feet high and 8 feet long, only as deep as the pieces are long. So the price of a “face cord” means nothing until you know the piece length.
| What the seller says | How much wood that really is | If it costs $150, a full cord’s worth costs |
|---|---|---|
| Face cord, 16 inch pieces | About 43 cubic feet, one third of a cord | About $450 |
| Face cord, 12 inch pieces | 32 cubic feet, one quarter of a cord | About $600 |
| Half cord | 64 cubic feet | $300 |
| Full cord | 128 cubic feet | $150 |
That is why a cheap-looking face cord price is often the most expensive wood in town. Divide the price by the cubic feet, multiply by 128, and you have the real price per full cord. More on this in full cord vs face cord.
What is included in the price?
Ask every seller these four things before you compare numbers:
- Delivery. Some charge a flat fee, some charge by the mile, some include it. Mine is included anywhere in Morris County.
- Stacking. Usually extra. It is a lot of work, and the price depends on how far the wood has to be carried.
- Seasoning. “Seasoned” should mean dry enough to burn now. Mine is seasoned 10 to 12 months before it goes on the truck. See how to tell if firewood is seasoned.
- Species. Dense hardwood (oak, hickory, maple, ash, birch) gives more heat per cord than softwood. See the best firewood for a fireplace.
When is firewood cheapest?
Prices usually do not drop in the off season, but availability does change. The first real cold snap of the year is when everyone calls at once. Order in early fall and you get your wood on your schedule, and it sits stacked and covered for a few extra weeks before you burn it.
Is it cheaper to buy two cords?
Often, yes. One trip instead of two saves the seller time and fuel. If you burn enough to need more than one cord in a winter, ask me about a multi-cord price when you call (973) 590-4899.