The competition generated among buyers will normally result in a higher selling price than other sales methods. State foresters can provide lists of buyers for various timber products such as sawlogs, veneer logs, pulpwood, etc. A copy of the sales contract should also be sent to bidders to inform them about additional conditions of the sale. All timber should be sold by written contract, a legally binding document that protects both buyer and seller. One of the most important elements in timber sales contracts is a verification of the seller's legal ownership of the timber to be sold and its freedom from liens or other encumbrances.
Most foresters can furnish sample timber sale contracts.
A tour of the timber tract allows all interested buyers to check the volume and quality of the timber and to estimate their logging costs. After all bids have been recevied, the owner should notify the highest acceptable bidder and arrange to negotiate aand execute a written contract. Any deposit or performance bond agreed upon should be collected. Copies of the contract should be prepared for both buyer and seller. Inspect the Logging Operation To make sure terms of the timber sale contract are being met, the seller should inspect the logging operation periodically during harvesting and again upon completion of the operation before returning the performance bond to the buyer.