Delivery Service Own Garden — Side Business Guide for the UK
Startup Cost: £50–£300 | Difficulty: Beginner | Time to Start: 7 Days | Business Type: Local
Plenty of households still burn logs in the UK. You can supply them from your garden without renting a yard or buying a van straight away.
Real UK Business Example
Delivery Firewood UK Seasoned log delivery from woodland owners direct to UK homes and campsites. Garden sellers stack net bags for local Facebook marketplace.
What is Delivery Service Own Garden?
A simple local round: source wood cheap or free, cut and split it, season it properly, bag it and deliver to homes with stoves or open fires within a few miles.
Video Breakdown
The video shows how to source timber, process it and sell it from home. Watch the full video on YouTube for the full walkthrough.
Key Takeaways
- Source timber from tree surgeons, sawmills and green waste sites near you.
- Cut and split with a secondhand chainsaw and splitter.
- Season the wood off the ground under cover for at least six months.
- Bag by the net bag or cubic metre and add kindling bundles.
- Deliver inside a five-to-ten-mile radius with a trailer.
- List on Facebook Marketplace and local community pages first.
Startup Costs in the UK
Most people already own basic storage space. The rest fits under £300.
| Item | Approx. Cost (UK) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Secondhand chainsaw | £80–£150 | Check local Facebook groups or eBay. |
| Splitting axe or small log splitter | £50–£150 | Axe is cheaper to start. |
| Safety gear | £40–£80 | Gloves, glasses, boots and helmet. |
| Pallets and netting | £0–£50 | Often free from builders merchants. |
| Trailer hire or secondhand | £0–£100 | Start with short-term hire if needed. |
Total outlay lands around £100–£250 before your first paid delivery.
Tools & Equipment Needed
- Chainsaw and splitting tool
- Basic PPE
- Pallets for stacking
- Net bags or bulk bags
- Trailer or estate car
How to Start
- Register as self-employed with HMRC before taking money.
- Find free or low-cost timber within twenty miles.
- Cut, split and stack the wood with good airflow.
- Wait six months minimum before selling seasoned logs.
- Price at £8–£12 per 20 kg net bag or £80–£110 per cubic metre.
- Photograph stock and post on Marketplace and Nextdoor.
- Offer local delivery and collect cash or bank transfer on the doorstep.
Earnings & Scaling
Operators selling 30–40 bags a week clear £300–£500 after fuel. Delivery Firewood UK works the same model at scale by buying direct from woodland owners. Add kindling and firelighters once you have regular customers.
Pros, Cons and Risks
Pros:
- Low cash needed to begin.
- Repeat winter trade in most areas.
- Work from home with flexible hours.
Cons:
- Physical work and seasonal demand.
- Wood takes months to season before sale.
- Weather can stop deliveries for days.
Risks:
- Chainsaw injury if safety rules are ignored.
- Complaints if wood is sold unseasoned.
- Local council rules on storing large wood piles.
UK-Specific Tips
- Check your postcode area on GOV.UK for any wood storage restrictions.
- Use a moisture meter and sell only wood below 20 % moisture.
- Keep simple records for HMRC – fuel receipts and cash sales notebook.
- Target rural postcodes first where log burners are common.
FAQ
How long does wood need to season?
Six to twelve months stacked off the ground with airflow. Sell it too soon and customers complain.
Do I need a licence?
No specific licence for small deliveries, but register as self-employed with HMRC once you start earning.
Where do I find free wood?
Tree surgeons, local authority green waste sites and sawmills often give away offcuts if you collect.
Can I run this from a small garden?
Yes if you stack neatly on pallets and keep the pile under two metres high. Larger gardens obviously make life easier.
Conclusion
A firewood round is straightforward winter work once the wood is ready. Start small, price properly and browse more ideas on MicroBiz365.
