Replies

1. 
   MPHarper | Feb 19, 2003 12:36am | #1

   Mike,

   Those are some nice pics.  I would love to live on a lot like tha some day and restore an old barn and garage.

   There is a big market for the lumber you've found.  I have seen ads for reclaimed lumber in high end custom home magazines etc.  Look for custom home builders/architects and even suppliers in upscale areas.  There is a demand in California, many resort areas (Colorado, Jackson Hole, etc.) the north east, and many other areas I am sure.  Another place to look is for companies that specialize in reclaimed lumber there are some websites that I have visited, I bet they could help you.

   My aunt just finished a new multimillion dollar home and vineyard in California and she used reclaimed lumber for all of her floors, exposed beams, and posts.   Her architect has folks that he get the lumber from that do nothing but sel reclaimed wood.

   Matt-

2. 
   fdampier5 | Feb 19, 2003 01:47am | #2

   Old barn lumber sells for a nice score (if it's the right size and not full of nails etc) however the labor to take down a barn and save much of it is very expensive.  In addition there is transportation from the barn to the warehouse and then to the customer, and finally the considerable differance between buying and selling..

      In other words unless there is an old wood dealer near you and you aren't in any particular rush it's doubtfull you will get very much if anything for it...

     Beams that are over 35 feet long and more than 10 inx 10 inches are in high demand and may prove valuable enough to warrant a fee of some sort..

3. 
   jgaiennie | Feb 19, 2003 06:06am | #3

   Mike,

   I've torn down several structures and sold the lumber.  Generally, it's been for old cypress, older than 1920. 

   My experience is (from '84 to as recently as last month - south Louisiana market):

   • It's a fun and mildly to midlin profitable venture - salvaging old barn wood.

   • For the size of this structure, don't even think about moving the lumber a long distance.  It can't possibly be very lucrative.  (that's a definite "maybe") 800 ft is not that much and you'll find that it's a lot of work getting it.  Plan on selling it locally.  Use the classifieds.  Place a few phone calls to some builders / cabinet shops that cater to high end customers = target market.

   • High end customers?  Those are the ones that have the oil wells that made Tulsa the boom town of the early '80's.  Those guys are still there and strong.  They want that wood.  They want it bad.  And they want it now.  Find that guy.  He's not going to come to you, but if you find him - the one - he's your guy.  He may take it all.  That's what you want.  One guy to take it all.

   • Old white oak?  I don't really have experience with this variety of lumber.  Mostly old cypress here.  We burn the hardwood as it's not generally worth cleaning up and denailing - bug damage and rot.  But if you have an abundance of one variety and it looks good, I don't see why you couldn't find an interested end user.

   • Old barn lumber that I've sold, sells for anywhere from $0.50 for usuable bunk, to $2.50 (maybe up to $3.25 for the best imaginable) for denailed, clean, relatively unsplit and undamaged lumber with a little thickness (1 1/8" in the rough) and very usuable lumber.  For $2.50 wood, you can spend virtually any reasonable amount of labor going after the stuff and you'll be able to come out.  4/4 wood isn't as profitable as larger timbers because there's more bf / piece (= per manhour) in larger timbers.  But good shape 4/4 is in high demand, and if it's clean it'll be worth a pretty penny.  Definitely worth denailing and marketing.

   • Protect the wood from the rain, and let your customers know that you've protected it from the rain.

   • Powder post beatles?  Termites?  Have you looked into the possible damage from these two bugs.  Almost all structures in La have termite damage.  They don't generally eat the cypress that I'm after, but all the hardwood.  And here powderpost damage is prevelant in hardwood barnwood.  I'd be surprised if OK is that much different.  Powerpost damage adds an interesting "character" on the first board planned.  After that - it's just damage - and you can import those bastards into your house.  You don't want to put too much energy in salvaging a bunch of old power post damaged wood.

   good luck with your sales.

   like I said, I've done this before.  If you want more "educated opinion", I've got that to share for free.

   jdg

4. 
   RoyinMD | Feb 19, 2003 06:37am | #4

   Planewood,

   Many, no All, great comments so far, experts are worth a mint.

   I will add one word of caution, I know of two people who distroyed planer blades on barn wood, esp the flooring because of ground in sand, dirt and rocks. Inspect very carefully and don't be affraid to add to the firewood pile (with a tear in the eye, lol).

   I made one semi serious attempt to get a hold of a big batch many years ago. Deal crashed, bummer. I had dreams for that white oak.

   Roy

5. 
   RANGERP75R | Feb 19, 2003 08:14am | #5

   mike

      When I was a kid back in the late 50's and early 60's, a friend of mine would recover lumber on summer break from  them and sell to picture frame shops. It was quite popular then. I have no clue if that is still true. Just another thought.

   Good luck and I wish I had the delima..ha

   sarge..jt