By Wood-Mizer, USA
June 19, 2026
How to Charge for Portable Sawmill Services: 2026 Pricing Guide
Learn the three most common methods to charge for mobile sawmilling—by the hour, by the board foot, or on a share basis—and discover how to protect your profit margins with modern accessory fees.
Whether you just brought home a new portable sawmill or you are looking to scale an existing mobile milling operation, setting the right rates is the difference between a thriving business and a costly hobby. While there is no single "correct" way to price your services, the industry relies on three proven frameworks.
The best pricing method depends entirely on your equipment setup, the quality of the logs, and how much operational risk you are willing to accept.
Mobile Milling Pricing Snapshot (2026 Averages)
| Pricing Method | Average Rate (2026) | Best For | Risk Level for Sawyer |
| Hourly | $80 – $155+ / hour | Dirty logs, custom/complex cuts, poor log setup | Low (Customer pays for time) |
| Board Foot | $0.35 – $0.75+ / bd ft | Straight, clean logs; high-volume production | Medium (Depends on your speed) |
| Share Basis | 30% – 50% of yield | High-value hardwoods; clients with zero upfront budget | High (Requires selling lumber later) |
When to Choose an Hourly Sawmill Rate
Hourly pricing is the most stable option for the sawmill owner. You get paid for your time regardless of how fast or slow the logs process, which is a critical protection when you're working with knotty, dirty, or unusually large material.
Rates have risen meaningfully since 2020. The old rule-of-thumb range of $65–$105/hr has given way to a 2026 market where most operators charge $80–$155 per hour for portable or stationary Wood-Mizer-style sawmills, with premium full-chain mills running $250/hr or more. One mid-market benchmark: a Woodmizer LT-50 in the Pacific Northwest now bills at $155/hr.
Pair hourly pricing with a minimum job charge of $100–$200 so short visits don't cut into your margins. Be upfront about blade and travel surcharges, as customers who know the rules upfront are far easier to work with.
One important dynamic: hourly pricing shifts all productivity risk to the customer. That's actually healthy. Customers who know they're paying by the clock tend to show up with clean, debarked logs on an accessible site, with a helper already on hand. That makes your day easier and produces better lumber.
Charging by the Board Foot
Board foot pricing is the most widely used method in the custom sawing industry, and for good reason: it's transparent, universally understood, and directly tied to the value the customer receives. Every board foot of finished lumber has a price. You count it out, you get paid.
In 2026, rates typically run $0.35–$0.75 per board foot for standard softwood or basic dimensional lumber. Hardwoods, custom sizes, or intricate pattern cuts commonly push into the $0.75–$1.00 range, and highly specialized work can reach $1.00–$2.00 per board foot or more. Basic slabbing for live-edge furniture falls somewhere in the middle depending on species.
The flip side of board foot pricing is that all the productivity risk sits with you. If the logs are muddy, full of nails, or oddly shaped, your per-hour earnings drop sharply. That's why experienced operators prequalify the job by asking about log condition, diameter, species, and site access before committing to a board foot rate.
A skilled operator cutting clean pine at speed can turn board foot pricing into the highest-earning day of the month. The same operator cutting gnarly urban oak with embedded rebar can lose money on the same rate. Know your logs before you name your price.
Standard add-ons still apply: travel fees, blade charges, and surcharges for foreign objects or excessive mud. State these clearly before you start--it's far easier to collect a blade fee from a customer who agreed to it upfront than one who's surprised by it on the invoice.
Charging on a Share Basis
The lumber share model is the most creative of the three, and potentially the most profitable when it works. Instead of cash, you accept a percentage of the finished lumber as your payment. The customer walks away with their boards; you walk away with yours to sell on the open market or use in your own projects.
Typical share arrangements in 2026 run 25% to 40% of finished lumber, varying by species, log volume, and how much handling work the job requires. Shares tend to be higher for desirable hardwoods like walnut, cherry, white oak, etc., where your portion can fetch retail prices well above what hourly or board foot work would have earned. Shares are lower for utility softwoods where demand is more commodity-driven.
This model works best when you have a sales channel: a local lumber yard relationship, a farmers market presence, an Etsy or Facebook Marketplace audience for live-edge slabs, or a woodworking community that buys directly. Without that outlet, you're just taking on inventory risk for uncertain returns.
When do Shares make the most sense? Let's say a customer brings you six black walnut logs from a tree they had to remove. You cut the wood, take 35% as your share, and sell those walnut slabs for $12–$18 per board foot at a local woodworking store. That's often 3–4x what you'd have earned on an hourly rate for the same job.
Add-On Charges Every Operator Should Itemize
Regardless of which primary method you use, the following surcharges are standard in 2026 and should always be spelled out in writing before the job starts:
Travel fees. Most operators charge a flat mobilization fee or a per-mile rate for on-site work. Factor in fuel, time, and wear on your trailer.
Blade charges. Budget for $25–$35 per blade used under normal conditions. Damaged blades caused by hidden nails, rocks, or metal run $35–$100+ each. Some operators charge a flat "dirty log" surcharge instead.
Setup minimums. A minimum job fee of $100–$200 ensures that small or quick jobs still cover your costs. This is especially important for portable operators who drive to the site.
Other services. Stacking and stickering lumber, debarking, extended on-site storage, and log loading/unloading are all billable. One common benchmark: $0.75 per sticker and $75/hr for a two-person stacking crew.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does custom sawmill service cost in 2026?
Custom sawmill services in 2026 typically run $0.35–$1.00 per board foot for standard work, or $75–$155 per hour depending on mill size and location. Day rates range from $300 to $600+. Specialty cuts or large-diameter logs can push board foot prices to $1.00–$2.00 or higher.
What is a fair hourly rate for a portable sawmill?
For most portable Wood-Mizer-style sawmills in 2026, $75–$155 per hour is the going rate in most U.S. markets. Premium wide-cut mills typically command $200–$250/hr. Urban markets with higher cost of living often sit at the upper end.
What percentage do you take for lumber shares?
Most operators take 25%–40% of finished lumber depending on species, volume, and handling involved. High-value hardwoods like walnut or cherry typically command a higher share percentage than utility pine or fir.
Should I charge extra for dirty or muddy logs?
Yes, always. Blade damage from nails, rocks, or embedded metal is a real cost. Standard practice is to disclose blade replacement fees upfront ($35–$100 per damaged blade) or charge a blanket dirty-log surcharge. Include this in any written agreement before cutting starts.
What is a typical minimum charge for sawmill services?
Most operators set a minimum of $100–$200 to cover mobilization, setup, and travel time regardless of how little wood is cut. This protects you from small jobs that eat time without generating meaningful revenue.