What to look out for when buying firewood online
Online firewood ads can make it difficult to compare what you are actually getting. Before choosing the cheapest-looking load, check the timber species, seasoning, quantity, measurement method, delivery cost and who is standing behind the sale.
What should you check before buying firewood online?
Make sure you know what timber you are buying, how much you are receiving, how that quantity is measured, whether it is seasoned and ready for your intended use, where it has come from, the complete delivered price and who you can contact if something goes wrong. A low headline price means very little if the quantity or quality is not comparable.
Seven things to check when buying firewood online
Marketplace ads and social posts can be convenient, but a photo of a pile and a price are not enough information to compare two firewood offers fairly.
What species is it?
Ask exactly what timber you are buying. Red Gum, Blue Gum, mixed hardwood and other species can burn differently and should not be treated as interchangeable simply because they are all described as “firewood”.
Is it seasoned?
Fresh or wet timber can be harder to light and less useful for immediate heating. Ask whether the wood is seasoned and suitable for when you intend to burn it.
Exactly how much are you getting?
Do not rely on descriptions such as “a big load”, “a cage” or “a trailer”. Confirm the actual quantity being sold and the unit used to describe it.
How was the quantity measured?
Firewood may be sold by weight, volume or as a defined lot. If a cubic-metre quantity is advertised, ask how that volume was established rather than assuming the outside size of a cage equals the volume of timber inside.
Where did the timber come from?
Ask the seller about the source of the firewood and obtain a proper receipt. Responsible sourcing and a clear paper trail are important parts of buying firewood confidently.
What is the total delivered price?
Compare the complete cost to your property, including delivery. Also explain gates, steep driveways, turning areas or tipping requirements before ordering so there are fewer surprises on delivery day.
Who is standing behind the sale?
Look for a real business name, physical presence, working contact details, independent reviews and a clear way to get help after delivery if the order is not what you expected.
A cage that looks like one cubic metre is not automatically one measured cubic metre of firewood
This is one of the easiest places for online comparisons to become misleading. Timber dropped loosely into a cage can contain substantial air gaps. The outside dimensions of the cage tell you the size of the container, not necessarily the measured volume of the firewood inside it.
If a seller advertises firewood by cubic metre, ask how the timber was measured. If they are selling a particular cage or trailer as a lot, compare it as a lot rather than assuming it represents a specific measured volume.
We have a separate guide explaining weight, stacked volume, loose-filled cages and why there is no universal conversion. Read our guide to buying firewood by the tonne or cubic metre →
Australian trade measurement guidance allows firewood to be sold by weight, volume or lot. The key is that the customer should understand what quantity is actually being offered so two prices can be compared on a meaningful basis.
The cheapest ad is not always the cheapest heat
Price matters, but only after you know what the price includes.
How much actual timber?
A smaller or loosely filled load can make a low headline price look better than it really is. Compare measured quantity, not just the photo.
Can you use it now?
If you need winter heating immediately, wood that still needs substantial drying may not offer the value you expected from the purchase price.
What happens after you pay?
Reliable delivery, clear communication and somebody local to contact if there is a problem are part of the value of a firewood order too.
How to check whether an online firewood seller is reputable
A Facebook page or marketplace profile can disappear quickly. Before sending money or arranging a large delivery, take a few minutes to check whether the seller has a genuine business presence.
Look for a physical address or established operating location, a working phone number, independent reviews, clear product descriptions, transparent measurement information and a receipt. Reviews are most useful when they come from an independent platform rather than comments or likes controlled by the seller.
There is also value in being able to call or visit the business later. Firewood is bulky, deliveries involve access and tipping, and occasionally customers need advice or an issue resolved. Accountability matters.
An attractive price can be genuine, but it should still make sense once species, quantity, seasoning and delivery are compared. If basic questions about those things cannot be answered clearly, keep looking.
Useful Australian and Victorian firewood guidance
Australia’s National Measurement Institute explains the trade measurement requirements that apply when firewood is sold by weight, volume or lot, including guidance for measuring firewood sold by volume.
Read the National Measurement Institute guidance on selling firewood →
Victorian Government guidance also recommends asking where firewood came from, getting a receipt and being cautious about offers that appear unusually cheap.
Choose the hardwood that suits you
Our current bulk range includes Red Gum, Blue Gum and a 50/50 Red Gum & Blue Gum mix, with local pickup and delivery options.
Red Gum Firewood
A traditional hardwood option for home heating, fireplaces and customers who specifically prefer Red Gum.
Shop Red Gum
Blue Gum Firewood
A bulk hardwood option available for customers wanting an alternative to Red Gum.
Shop Blue Gum
50/50 Hardwood Mix
A mixed bulk load combining Red Gum and Blue Gum in one order.
Shop 50/50 MixDelivered from Upper Beaconsfield across the Hills and surrounding areas
We provide local firewood delivery from our Upper Beaconsfield base. Our service area includes many communities across the Dandenong Ranges, Cardinia and the Casey foothills.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask before buying firewood online?
Ask what species it is, whether it is seasoned, exactly how much you are buying, how that quantity was measured, where the timber came from, what delivery costs and conditions apply, and what contact details or receipt the seller provides.
How can I tell whether a firewood price is actually cheap?
Compare like with like. Consider the species, measured quantity, moisture or seasoning, delivery charge and service rather than comparing headline prices alone. A cheaper cage or load may contain less usable timber than another offer.
Does an IBC cage equal one cubic metre of firewood?
Not automatically. The external size of a container does not establish the measured volume of the timber inside it, particularly when pieces are loose-filled and there are air gaps. Ask how any advertised cubic-metre quantity was measured.
Is firewood sold by the tonne better than firewood sold by cubic metre?
Both weight and volume can be legitimate measurement methods when used correctly. The important part is understanding which method is being used and what quantity you will actually receive.
Why does seasoned firewood matter?
Firewood containing more moisture can be harder to light and less suitable for efficient immediate heating. If you plan to burn the order soon, ask the supplier about its condition and seasoning before buying.
Should I ask where the firewood was sourced?
Yes. Victorian Government guidance recommends asking sellers where their firewood came from and obtaining a receipt. It is a useful question when assessing the seller and the supply.
Does the General Store deliver firewood?
Yes. We deliver firewood from Upper Beaconsfield across many surrounding Hills, Dandenong Ranges, Cardinia and Casey foothills communities. Visit our Firewood Supply & Delivery page for current delivery information.
Can I buy Red Gum, Blue Gum and mixed firewood online?
Yes. Our online firewood range includes bulk Red Gum, Blue Gum and a 50/50 Red Gum & Blue Gum mix, along with selected kindling and firelighting products.
Know what you are buying before the truck arrives
Compare species, seasoning, quantity, measurement and delivery — then choose the firewood offer that gives you confidence, not just the lowest-looking number.