Vermont Firewood Prices (Current Cord Rates)
For 2026 budgeting, plan on about $250–$350 for a full cord of green hardwood, $350–$500 for seasoned hardwood, and $450–$650 or more for kiln-dried hardwood. These are planning ranges, not live-verified Vermont seller quotes. Species, moisture, delivery distance, stacking, and quantity can change the final price, so get the terms in writing.
Firewood price lists can look clear until “seasoned,” “cord,” or “truckload” turns out to mean something different to the buyer. A low price is not a bargain if the load contains less wood than expected or arrives too wet to burn well. Nor does wood that looks dry on the outside prove that it is ready for the stove.
In my work, I compare firewood offers by the amount of usable wood, its condition, and the full delivered cost. The key is to confirm those details before paying. A full cord is a set volume; a face cord is not, unless the seller gives the stack dimensions and piece length. And “seasoned” is a seller’s description, not a moisture reading.
Vermont Cord Prices and What Changes the Quote
These 2026 ranges are useful for setting a budget, not for predicting a specific seller’s price. A delivered quote may fall outside them because local supply, species, moisture, distance, stacking, and order size vary. Compare the same quantity and quality before deciding that one seller is cheaper.
| Firewood type | Planning price per full cord | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Green hardwood | $250–$350 | Species, moisture condition, delivery, and time needed to dry |
| Seasoned hardwood | $350–$500 | Moisture of 20% or less, measured on freshly split wood |
| Kiln-dried hardwood | $450–$650+ | What “kiln-dried” means to the seller, species, and delivery costs |
Green wood often costs less up front, but it needs suitable space and time to dry before burning. Seasoned wood costs more because it has been stored to dry, but the label alone does not show how dry it is. Kiln-dried wood may suit a buyer who needs fuel sooner, though its higher price still needs to be weighed against quantity and delivery.
Species also affects value. Dense hardwoods such as sugar maple, beech, and oak generally hold more heat per cord than lower-density softwoods. Actual usable heat depends on moisture and how the appliance is operated, so species alone cannot make two offers equal.
Ask whether the price includes delivery and whether the seller charges extra to stack the wood. A quote that excludes those services may look lower but cost more at your door. Takeaway: compare total delivered cost for the same amount, species, and moisture condition.
Ordering, Delivery Checks, and Safe Wood Storage
A clear order states what you are buying and how the seller will measure it. Before ordering, confirm your appliance’s safe split length, the preferred species, moisture target, quantity, delivery location, and whether stacking is included. Written terms help prevent a dispute over cord size or the condition of the wood.
Confirm the quantity before you pay
A full cord contains 128 cubic feet of stacked wood, bark, and air space. It is commonly stacked in a 4-foot-by-4-foot-by-8-foot pile. The amount of solid wood is less than the pile’s total volume because air sits between the pieces.
A face cord has no fixed volume unless the piece length is stated. For example, a 4-foot-by-8-foot stack of 16-inch pieces is about one-third of a full cord. The same face-cord label with longer pieces describes a different volume. “Rick” and “truckload” are also unclear unless the seller gives dimensions and piece length.
| Offer description | What you need to compare it |
|---|---|
| Full cord | Confirm the stack will measure 4 ft × 4 ft × 8 ft, or have 128 cubic feet of stacked volume |
| Face cord | Get stack height, stack length, and piece length; do not assume it equals one-third of a cord |
| Truckload or rick | Ask for dimensions and piece length in writing before comparing prices |
A seller may use “cord” loosely for a face cord or a loose-dumped load. Without stated dimensions and piece length, you cannot reliably compare that offer with a full cord. Resolve the quantity in writing before payment.
Inspect the delivery
When the wood arrives, check the species and the stack dimensions against the order. Take photos of the stack and keep the receipt. If the order is sold as seasoned, split a sample piece and measure moisture on the newly exposed interior face, not just the outside.
A simple comparison shows why details matter. Suppose one seller quotes $450 for a stated full cord of seasoned maple, delivered, while another quotes $400 for a “cord” with no dimensions and a separate delivery fee. The second offer is not yet cheaper in a useful sense: quantity, wood condition, and total cost are unknown.
Store firewood off the soil, with a cover over the top and open sides for airflow. Keep it the required distance from buildings and heat sources, and follow local rules and appliance instructions. Takeaway: document the order, delivery, and condition before stacking or burning the wood.
Moisture Testing, Species, and Firewood Quality
Firewood quality affects both price and performance. For seasoned firewood, use a moisture target of 20% or less, measured on the freshly split interior. Pair that check with species identification and a clear quantity. Dryness does not make an undersized load a full cord, and a high price does not prove the wood is ready to burn.
Test the wood, not the label
A moisture meter reading from the outside of a log can mislead. Split a piece and press the meter’s pins into the fresh face, following the meter instructions. Check more than one piece if possible, since a single split may not represent the whole load.
A reading above 20% means the wood does not meet the stated seasoned target at the tested spot. Ask the seller how moisture was checked and what remedy applies if the delivery does not meet the agreed condition. Avoid treating wet or unverified wood as seasoned: wetter fuel provides less usable heat and can increase creosote risk.
Match species to the price
Hardwoods such as sugar maple, beech, and oak are dense and generally provide more heat per cord than lower-density softwoods. But a species ranking is only one part of the decision. Moisture, the actual volume delivered, and your stove’s operation all affect the heat you get.
If a seller offers a mixed load, ask which species are included and how the price reflects that mix. A stated “hardwood” load is less informative than a named species or a clear list of the mix. For winter planning, record the species and moisture condition on your receipt or woodpile notes.
Takeaway: pay for wood you can identify and measure, not just a label such as “dry hardwood.”
Seasonal Buying and Price-Comparison Practices
Buying early can give you more time to dry green wood, while buying seasoned wood closer to the heating season may cost more. Neither timing guarantees a lower price. Compare delivered quotes when you plan to order, and allow enough drying time for the specific wood and storage conditions rather than relying on a fixed promise.
Compare like-for-like offers
Request the same details from each Vermont seller. Include the full quantity, piece length, species, moisture condition, delivery charge, stacking charge, and expected delivery date. Then compare the final total, not just the advertised price per cord.
Here is a simple example. A buyer needs one full cord of wood for a stove with a specified maximum split length. Seller A gives a total price for a stated full cord of seasoned maple, delivered. Seller B gives a lower price for a “face cord” of mixed hardwood, with delivery extra. Seller B’s price cannot be compared until the stack dimensions, piece length, species mix, moisture, and delivery charge are clear.
Use this checklist when requesting a quote:
- What species or species mix will be delivered?
- Is the amount a full cord, or are stack dimensions and piece length stated?
- What is the split length?
- Is the wood green, seasoned, or kiln-dried?
- Can the seller confirm moisture of 20% or less on a freshly split face?
- Are delivery and stacking included?
- What is the delivery date, and what happens if the load differs from the order?
Takeaway: choose the offer that meets your heating needs at a known total cost, not the one with the lowest incomplete number.
Conclusion and Vermont Firewood Buying FAQ
A sound firewood budget starts with a realistic range, then narrows to a written specification. Confirm the cord volume, species, piece length, moisture condition, and all delivery fees. On delivery, check the stack and test a freshly split face. These steps help you compare prices fairly and reduce the chance of paying for wood that is not ready to burn.
How much does a full cord of firewood cost in Vermont in 2026?
For budgeting, plan on about $250–$350 for green hardwood, $350–$500 for seasoned hardwood, and $450–$650 or more for kiln-dried hardwood. Confirm current prices with local sellers.
What counts as a full cord?
A full cord is 128 cubic feet of stacked wood, bark, and air space. A common stack is 4 feet high, 4 feet deep, and 8 feet long.
How much wood is in a face cord?
There is no fixed amount without stack dimensions and piece length. A 4-by-8-foot stack of 16-inch pieces is about one-third of a full cord.
Is a “rick” the same as a full cord?
Not by itself. Ask for the stack dimensions and piece length, then compare the stated volume with a full cord.
What moisture level should seasoned firewood have?
Use 20% or less as the target. Split a piece and test the fresh interior face with a moisture meter.
Can I trust a seller’s “seasoned” label?
Treat it as a description, not proof. Ask for the moisture level and check a freshly split piece when the load arrives.
Which Vermont firewood species generally give more heat per cord?
Dense hardwoods such as sugar maple, beech, and oak generally provide more heat per cord than lower-density softwoods. Moisture and appliance operation also matter.
Why does kiln-dried firewood cost more?
The planning range is higher than for green or seasoned wood. Compare the seller’s price, quantity, species, moisture claim, and delivery terms rather than assuming the label alone makes it the best value.
Should delivery and stacking be included in the quoted price?
They may be included or charged separately. Ask for both fees before comparing the total cost between sellers.
What should I do if the delivered load seems short?
Compare the stack dimensions and piece length with the written order. Photograph the load, keep the receipt, and contact the seller promptly to discuss the difference.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Samuel Vance. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
