...and make sure you get the best deal!
When shopping for firewood online, it can be difficult to know whether you’re actually getting the best value. Many suppliers advertise attractive prices, but the crates may be different sizes, delivery might be added later, or the wood species may burn at different rates.
To make a fair comparison, customers need a simple, consistent way to compare the true cost of the wood they’re receiving. The easiest method is to calculate the price per unit of crate volume.
Below we explain how to do this in a few quick steps.
Step 1: Work Out the Total Cost
First, calculate the true total price you will pay.
This means adding together:
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The price of the crate
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Any delivery charge
Some suppliers add delivery later at checkout, so make sure you include that in your calculation.
At Aberdeenshire Logs, the price you see is the price you pay and no delivery charge is added at checkout. That makes it easier to understand the real cost straight away.
Example of what the costs might be from another supplier:
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Crate price: £320
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Delivery charge: £35
Total cost = £355
Step 2: Calculate the Crate Volume
Next, calculate the external volume of the crate using the dimensions provided by the supplier.
You simply multiply:
Length × Width × Height
Make sure the measurements are in metres so the result is in cubic metres.
Example crate dimensions:
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Length: 1.15 m
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Width: 1.05 m
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Height: 1.2 m
Calculation:
1.15 × 1.05 × 1.2 = 1.45 cubic metres
So the crate’s external volume is 1.45 m³.
Step 3: Divide Total Cost by Crate Volume
Now divide the total cost by the crate volume.
Total cost ÷ Crate volume = Price per cubic metre
Using the previous example:
£355 ÷ 1.45 = £244.83 per m³
This final number is what really matters.
Why This Differs From the “Advertised” Price Per Cubic Metre
You may notice that many suppliers advertise a lower price per cubic metre than the figure you calculate using this method.
This is because the advertised figure is often converted to the equivalent volume of “loose load” logs rather than the physical volume of the crate.
Loose logs contain more air gaps, so the same wood takes up more space when tipped out of the crate. When suppliers convert crate volume into a loose-load equivalent, the volume number increases — which makes the price per cubic metre appear lower.
The problem is that different suppliers use different conversion factors, meaning the final figures aren’t consistent. As a result, it can still be difficult or even impossible to tell which supplier actually offers the best value.
This is why the simplest and most reliable method is to divide the total delivered price by the external volume of the crate. Because the crate dimensions are fixed and measurable, this gives you a true like-for-like comparison between suppliers.
The Key Rule: The Lowest Number Wins
When you compare suppliers using this method, the crate with the lowest price per cubic metre offers the lowest cost for the space being delivered.
This approach removes confusion caused by:
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Different crate sizes
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Hidden delivery costs
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Conversion factors used for “loose load” equivalents
It’s the simplest apples-to-apples comparison you can make.
Don’t Forget to Include Delivery
One of the most common mistakes when comparing suppliers is forgetting to include delivery charges.
A crate may appear cheaper at first, but once a £30–£50 delivery fee is added at checkout, the value can quickly change.
Always make sure your calculation includes the full delivered price.
Again, with Aberdeenshire Logs, the price shown is the price you pay, so there are no surprises at checkout.
Consider the Wood Species Too
Price per volume isn’t the only factor worth considering.
Different species of wood burn differently.
Some cheaper crates contain species such as:
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Birch
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Alder
While these woods can still be good firewood, they burn faster and produce heat for a shorter time than denser hardwoods such as ash or beech.
This means that even if the crate looks cheaper, you may end up using more logs to produce the same heat.
In other words, the lowest upfront price doesn’t always mean the best value over time.
A Quick Checklist When Comparing Firewood Crates
Before choosing a supplier, check the following:
✔ The external crate dimensions
✔ The total price including delivery
✔ The price per cubic metre (total cost ÷ crate volume)
✔ The species of wood included
Doing these quick checks will help ensure you’re comparing suppliers fairly and getting the best value for your money.
In Summary
The easiest way to compare firewood crate prices is to calculate:
Total Delivered Price ÷ External Crate Volume
The supplier with the lowest number offers the lowest cost per unit of volume.
Just remember to include delivery costs and consider the wood species as well.
With a little simple maths, you can quickly see which firewood offer truly represents the best value.
