Sell Your Used & Reclaimed Lumber
Got lumber from a renovation, demolition, or barn teardown? Don't send it to a landfill before asking. We pass your request to partner suppliers in the Twin Cities who may buy it.
Your Lumber May Have a Second Life.
Old barn wood, rough-sawn beams from a warehouse renovation, and vintage flooring from a Minneapolis bungalow can all have real value, for building and for keeping good wood in use.
Lumber Minneapolis is a referral service. We do not buy lumber ourselves. We pass your request to partner suppliers in our network, who may buy it, and they set the price and handle the sale with you.
No-Obligation Quote Request
Simple Online Form
Twin Cities Partner Suppliers
Keeps Usable Wood in Service
Four Simple Steps to Sell Your Lumber
Selling goes through the same quote form as everything else on this site. Here is what happens after you send it.
Send a Request
Fill out the quote form with details about your lumber: what it is, roughly how much, and where it is. Say if you have photos, because a supplier may ask for them.
We Pass It On
We pass your request to partner suppliers in our network. Sending it is free and there is no obligation to sell.
A Supplier Follows Up
If your material suits them, a partner supplier follows up. They may ask for more photos or to see the wood before making an offer.
You Decide
Any offer comes from the supplier, who sets the price. If you accept, you arrange pickup or drop-off and payment directly with them.
How to Photograph Your Lumber
A partner supplier may ask for photos before making an offer. Here is what is worth capturing.
Capture the Full Stack
Stand back far enough to show the entire quantity of lumber. This helps a supplier estimate the volume.
Show End Grain Close-Ups
End grain gives clues to the species and growth ring density. Take a close-up of the end of two or three representative boards.
Document Any Damage
Show rot, cracks, insect holes, and staining honestly. It saves everyone a wasted trip.
Include a Size Reference
Place a tape measure or a common object next to the lumber so a supplier can gauge the dimensions.
Show the Access Situation
Take a wide shot of where the lumber is: driveway, barn interior, upper floor, and so on. Access affects whether pickup is practical.
Photograph Unique Features
Hand-hewn marks, mortise joints, and old mill stamps are worth showing, because they tell a supplier more about the wood.
Tip: Describe It in Your Own Words
A few plain sentences about where the wood came from, how much there is, and how it can be reached are often as useful as a technical description. You do not need to know the species or the grade.
Types of Lumber Partner Suppliers May Buy
Interest varies from one supplier to the next, but these are the kinds of used and reclaimed wood worth sending a request about.
Dimensional Lumber
- 2x4 through 2x12 framing lumber
- 4x4 and 6x6 posts
- Rough-sawn boards
- Hardwood and softwood species
Beams & Timbers
- Barn beams
- Structural timbers from commercial buildings
- Hand-hewn and rough-sawn beams
- Old-growth Douglas fir, oak, and pine
Specialty Wood
- Barn siding and board-and-batten
- Tongue-and-groove flooring
- Hardwood decking
- Vintage millwork and trim
Bulk Lots
- Full building teardown material
- Warehouse and factory lumber
- Industrial timbers
- Hardwood pallets and crating
Not Sure If Anyone Will Want It?
Send a request anyway. Even if your lumber has nails, paint, or minor damage, it costs nothing to ask. A partner supplier can tell you whether it interests them.
What Is Usually Hard to Sell (And Why)
Reclaimed wood buyers tend to pass on some materials for safety or practical reasons. Each supplier decides for itself, but these are the usual problem areas.
Pressure-Treated Lumber
Treated wood contains preservative chemicals, and older CCA-treated lumber contains arsenic. It should not be sawn or sanded casually, and it is generally not wanted for reuse.
Lumber With Active Insect Infestation
Active powderpost beetles, carpenter ants, or termites can spread to other stored wood. Old, inactive damage such as exit holes is a different matter, and some buyers like the look.
Severely Rotted or Punky Wood
Wood that has lost its strength is not safe to mill or build with. Minor surface rot on an otherwise sound timber can sometimes be trimmed away.
Composite and Engineered Wood Products
OSB, MDF, particle board, LVL beams, and composite decking are not solid wood and generally cannot be reclaimed the same way.
Painted Wood With Possible Lead Paint
Paint on wood from older homes may contain lead, and sanding or planing it can create hazardous dust. Say so in your request if the wood is painted and was built before 1978.
Creosote-Treated Railroad Ties
Creosote is a hazardous wood preservative and treated ties are not suitable for indoor or residential reuse. Check with your local waste authority about disposal.
How to Prepare Your Lumber
You do not need to do anything special before sending a request. If you have the time, these steps keep the wood in better shape and make it easier to assess.
Pull Visible Nails If You Can
Even partial de-nailing helps. Focus on nails in the faces and edges, and wear gloves and eye protection. If you would rather leave them in, say so.
Sort by Species
Separate oak from pine, and hardwoods from softwoods. If you are not sure of the species, sort by color and weight: heavy and dark in one pile, light and soft in another.
Stack and Sticker for Airflow
Place thin strips (stickers) between layers of stacked boards so air can circulate. This helps prevent mold, mildew, and staining in tightly stacked wet wood.
Keep Material Under Cover
Keep lumber in a garage, a lean-to, or under a tarp, and off the ground. Prolonged ground contact and rain cause staining and surface rot.
Trim Obvious Rot
If a board is sound except for a rotted end, cutting off the bad section can leave a shorter but clean and useful board.
Take Clear Photos in Good Light
Outdoor photos in daylight work well, ideally on an overcast day with no harsh shadows. Show the stack, the end grain, and any unique features.
Measure and Count Pieces
A rough count, such as "about 40 boards, mostly 2x8, 8-12 feet long", gives a supplier something real to work with.
Note Any Known Species
If you know the species from the building history, a previous owner, or your own identification, include it in your request.
What Affects Value
We do not set prices or publish rates. Any offer comes from a partner supplier, and these are the factors that commonly affect it.
Species
Hardwoods like oak, walnut, and cherry tend to draw more interest. Old-growth pine and Douglas fir are also sought after.
Condition
Clean lumber with little damage, rot, or insect activity is easier to reuse. Rough material may still interest a supplier, depending on what it is.
Dimensions
Large timbers, long lengths, and wide boards are harder to find than standard dimensional lumber.
Quantity
A larger, consistent lot can justify a trip. A few boards of a common species may not.
Accessibility
Material at ground level near a driveway is simpler to load than wood in a basement or an upper floor.
Fasteners
Nails, screws, and bolts add work, because they have to be removed before the wood can be milled.
What Typically Happens to Reclaimed Lumber
Every supplier works differently, but this is the usual path used lumber takes on its way to a new project.
Inspection
A supplier looks over the wood for soundness, identifies the species, and decides how it can be used.
De-Nailing
Boards are commonly scanned with a metal detector, and nails, screws, and staples are pulled, because embedded metal damages saw blades and planer knives.
Sorting and Grading
Material is typically sorted by species, dimension, and character.
Drying and Storage
Wood is often stacked with stickers for air circulation. It may be dried further depending on where it will be used.
Milling When Needed
Some boards are sold as they are. Others are planed, resawn, or profiled for a specific use.
A New Project
Reclaimed wood commonly ends up as tables, accent walls, mantels, flooring, and ceiling beams.
Good Wood Deserves Another Use
Finding a new home for used lumber has real benefits, even if they are hard to put a single number on. Here is what reuse does.
Reusing a beam avoids cutting and milling a new one.
Wood stores carbon while it stays in use. Reuse keeps it in service longer.
Lumber that gets a second use is lumber that is not heading to a landfill.
Much of the old-growth timber in older buildings cannot be replaced today. Reuse keeps that material available.
Large Lots and Building Teardowns
Contractors, developers, and property managers with large volumes of used lumber can send a request like anyone else. These steps give the wood its best chance of being reused.
Reach Out Early
Send a request before the work starts, with a clear description of the structure, and have photos ready. It is much easier to plan for salvage before material is mixed with debris.
Separate What You Can
Keeping salvageable lumber apart from general waste keeps it usable. Even a simple split between sound timbers and everything else helps.
Know What You Are Looking At
Learning to tell oak from pine on site helps crews set valuable material aside. Our species identification guide is a good place to start.
Share Your Timeline
Tell us your demolition dates in your request. Partner suppliers can say what fits their schedule.
Check Local Requirements
Hazardous materials, permits, and waste rules should be checked before any structure comes down. Ask your local building official what applies.
Keep Your Own Records
If your project tracks waste diversion, record what left the site and where it went. Ask partner suppliers what paperwork, if any, they can provide.
Selling Lumber Through a Minnesota Year
You can send a request at any time of year. Minnesota seasons do affect access and how well stored wood holds up.
Spring (March - May)
Renovation and barn projects tend to pick up as the weather improves. Ground can be soft during the thaw, so mention any access problems in your request.
Summer (June - August)
Construction season is in full swing. If your wood is coming out of a job site, send your request early enough to plan around the work.
Fall (September - November)
Many property owners want to clear material before winter. It is a good time to get wood under cover and to sort it while the weather holds.
Winter (December - February)
Snow and frozen ground can make outdoor access harder, while indoor material is easier to reach. Keep stacks covered and off the ground.
What to Ask About Pickup
Pickup is available through partner suppliers, and the details are theirs to confirm. These are the things worth settling before anyone arrives.
People and Equipment
Ask what the supplier will bring and whether you need to provide anything, such as help carrying or a clear path.
Loading
Long or heavy timbers can need machinery. Tell the supplier how the wood is stored and how much it weighs, if you know.
Protecting Your Property
A loaded vehicle can damage lawns, soft ground, and thin driveways. Agree where it will go before it arrives.
Cleanup
Ask who will clear up loose nails and broken pieces. Old lumber leaves more mess than you might expect.
Payment
Agree on the amount and how you will be paid before the wood is loaded. That agreement is between you and the supplier.
Anyone With Used Lumber Can Ask
Homeowners
Renovating your home? Old fencing, decking, or flooring is worth asking about.
Contractors
Lumber left over from a demo or remodel? Send a request with the details and your schedule.
Demolition Companies
Tell us about salvageable material before it gets mixed with debris.
Property Managers
Clearing out a building? Include materials from commercial and residential cleanouts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling Lumber
Do you buy lumber yourselves?
No. We are a referral service. We pass your request to partner suppliers in our network, who may buy your lumber. They set any price and arrange the sale with you directly.
How much will I be paid?
We cannot say, because we do not set prices or publish rates. Pricing is by quote from partner suppliers, and it depends on the species, condition, quantity, and access.
Do I need to de-nail the lumber first?
No, you can send a request with the fasteners still in the wood. Mention them, so a partner supplier knows what they are looking at.
How do I know if my lumber is worth anything?
Solid wood that is not badly rotted is worth asking about. Hardwoods, large timbers, old-growth species, and barn wood tend to draw the most interest. When in doubt, describe what you have and let a partner supplier assess it.
Can lumber be picked up from inside a building?
Possibly. Describe the location in your request, including stairs, tight corners, and any contractor schedule. Whether pickup is available depends on the partner supplier.
Is pickup free?
Pickup is available through partner suppliers, and any cost is theirs to quote. Ask how pickup affects an offer before you agree to anything.
What areas can I send a request from?
Requests from the Twin Cities metro. Availability depends on partner suppliers, and locations further out in nearby Minnesota are worth asking about.
Can I donate the lumber instead?
You may be able to. Reuse stores and some nonprofits accept building materials. Check that the organization wants what you have, and talk to a tax advisor about any deduction.
What happens to my lumber after it is sold?
That is up to the supplier who buys it. Reclaimed wood is commonly de-nailed, sorted, and sold as it is or milled into flooring, paneling, and other products.
How is the species of my lumber identified?
Species is usually identified by grain pattern, color, weight, and end grain. You do not need to know it to send a request. Our resources page has a species identification guide if you are curious.
Additional Seller FAQs
How fast can my lumber be picked up?
That depends on the partner supplier. Pickup is arranged directly with the supplier who follows up. If you have a deadline, such as a demolition date, include it in your request.
Will anyone want painted lumber?
Possibly. Stained or sealed lumber is usually less of a concern than paint. Painted wood from older buildings may contain lead, so mention paint and the age of the building in your request. Paint on wood built before 1978 should be treated as a possible lead hazard until tested.
What about lumber with concrete or mortar attached?
Mention it in your request. Concrete, mortar, and plaster add cleaning work and can damage blades. If you can safely knock off loose material, the wood will be easier to assess.
Can I drop off small quantities?
We do not have a yard, so there is nowhere to drop off lumber with us. If a partner supplier is interested in your material, ask them whether drop-off is possible.
Are pallets worth asking about?
Sometimes. Standard softwood pallets are thin and often of little reclaim value. Hardwood pallets in good condition may be of more interest. Look for the IPPC stamp: HT means heat-treated, and pallets marked MB were treated with methyl bromide and should not be reused.
What about engineered wood products?
OSB, MDF, particle board, LVL, and composite decking are not solid wood and are generally not suited to reclaiming. Requests for solid wood are the best fit.
How is board footage estimated?
Board feet are calculated as (thickness in inches x width in inches x length in feet) / 12, then multiplied by the count. For a mixed lot, measure a few representative pieces and estimate from those.
Can I sell standing timber or logs?
This service is meant for lumber that has already been milled or hewn. If you have freshly felled trees, a local sawyer or portable sawmill operator is usually the better place to start.
Where can I be located?
We take requests from the Twin Cities metro and nearby Minnesota. Availability depends on partner suppliers, so include your location.
Is there a minimum quantity?
There is no minimum to send a request. Whether a partner supplier is interested depends on the species, the condition, and the quantity. A few boards of a common species may not justify a trip, but it costs nothing to ask.
Are doors, windows, or trim worth including?
Mention them. Solid-wood doors, window frames, and original millwork can have value as architectural salvage, and a partner supplier can say whether they are interested.
I generate used lumber regularly. How should I handle that?
Send a request describing what you have and how often. Any ongoing arrangement would be between you and a partner supplier.
Useful Reads Before You Sell
Deconstruction vs Demolition
See why careful removal usually leaves more usable wood than a teardown.
Can Fire-Damaged Timber Be Salvaged?
Know when charred beams may still be useful and when they should be left out.
Sourcing Reclaimed Lumber in Minnesota
Understand where reclaimed wood comes from and what makes a lot desirable.
Every Reused Board Is One Less Board in the Landfill
Send a free, no-obligation quote request and we will pass it to partner suppliers in the Twin Cities. A partner supplier follows up if your material suits them.