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Sawmill & Lumber Processing Business Plan Template – Instant Download

Turn logs into predictable profit with a professional plan built for modern sawmill operators. Whether you run a portable bandsaw mill or a stationary yard with kiln-dried slabs, this template speaks your language—yield per log, board-foot pricing, and production flow—with real-world tooling like Wood-Mizer, Norwood, TimberKing, Stihl, Husqvarna, and John Deere loaders.

Delivered instantly in Word and PDF, it’s fully editable and aligned to SBA expectations with a complete 3-year financial forecast. Map equipment purchases, log supply contracts, drying schedules, and wholesale/retail channels so lenders can follow your path to cash flow.

Download today, customize in hours, and present a lender-ready plan this week.

BPlanMaker editorial standards: U.S.-focused plans aligned to SBA lender checklists, reviewed quarterly for clarity and accuracy. Financial models reflect board-foot logic, kiln/air-dry timelines, and realistic pricing tiers. Where claims appear, we cite current government or trade sources (see “Industry Snapshot” and Compliance).

Quick Answer: Use this SBA-aligned sawmill plan to secure funding and scale—covering log sourcing, board-foot yields, kiln/air-dry ops, pricing, and a 3-year forecast you can defend.
  • Formats: editable Word (.docx) + share-ready PDF
  • Includes: yield & pricing logic, open-to-buy lumber budgeting, 3-year financials
  • Use cases: SBA microloans, equipment financing, lease negotiations
  • Scope: portable bandsaw mills, stationary yards, live-edge slab retail

What’s Inside

  • Executive Summary — Concept, service area, capacity milestones, funding ask.
  • Products & Services — Dimensional lumber, timbers, live-edge slabs, custom milling, byproducts.
  • Market Analysis — Builders, cabinet shops, furniture makers, DIY/hobbyists.
  • Operations — Log intake, milling schedules, edging, stacking, kiln/air-drying, grading, safety.
  • Marketing — Contractor referrals, online listings, retail slab yard, content.
  • Management — Owner roles, sawyers, loader/yard staff, certifications, insurance.
  • Financial Forecast — Board-foot output, yield assumptions, pricing tiers, OPEX/CAPEX, break-even.

How This Plan Is Built

  • Maps SBA-recognized sections directly to lender checklists.
  • Models yield per species/thickness and moisture targets before surfacing.
  • Accounts for seasonality, blade budgets, maintenance, and kiln bottlenecks.
  • Includes pricing tiers (contractor, shop, retail) and byproduct monetization.

Compliance & Licensing (U.S.)

  • OSHA general-industry standard for sawmills (29 CFR 1910.265) and logging operations (29 CFR 1910.266) for mobile work. See OSHA — 1910.265 Sawmills and OSHA — 1910.266 Logging Operations.
  • Stormwater permits: EPA Multi-Sector General Permit (Sector A — Timber Products; SIC 2421) or state equivalent if not under EPA. See EPA — 2021 MSGP, Sector A.
  • Business license/sales tax permit; local fire & safety; equipment/fuel storage compliance.
  • Insurance: general & product liability; workers’ comp if hiring; commercial auto for mobile mills.

This template provides lender-style compliance notes. Always confirm local requirements with your city/county and state agencies.

Who Should Use This Plan

  • First-time sawmill owners and wood entrepreneurs.
  • Portable bandsaw mill operators adding contracts.
  • Forestry landowners monetizing on-site timber.
  • Custom shops expanding into milling/drying.
  • SBA applicants, grant writers, and private investors.

Why Choose This Business Plan

Demand for custom wood and locally milled lumber is steady, but margins depend on yield, drying discipline, and consistent log supply. This template mirrors lender flow and includes species-mix strategy, kiln vs. air-dry timelines, and retail slab pricing—so more of each log turns into revenue.

Key Risks & Mitigations

  • Seasonality & cash cycle: Build buffers; stagger kiln loads; pre-sell slab drops.
  • Supply volatility: Lock in log sources; diversify species; add mobile jobs in slow weeks.
  • Blade & maintenance costs: Track blade life; schedule sharpening; model spares.
  • Safety: Train per OSHA 1910.265/.266; maintain PPE and equipment logs.

Pricing & Costs / Break-Even

Price by board-foot and service tier (contractor, shop, retail). Include mobile fees (travel/loader), edging/planing, and surfacing as add-ons. Break-even = fixed costs ÷ blended gross margin; show sensitivity for utilization (hours milled/week) and kiln throughput.

  • Startup: mill + loader, handling/tools, yard prep, kiln (or partner), safety gear, working capital.
  • Monthly: blades/consumables, fuel, labor, utilities, insurance, loan payments.
  • KPIs: bf/hour, recovery %, kiln days by thickness, defects %, AR days for contractors.

Portable vs. Yard — Which Scales Faster?

Portable setups win discovery and log access; a fixed yard with a kiln compounds margins through drying, surfacing, and slab retail. Many founders start mobile, then add a small DH kiln to stabilize cash flow.

BPlanMaker — Sawmill & Lumber Processing Business Plan Template (U.S., SBA-aligned)

Industry Snapshot (U.S.)

Construction demand is a key driver of lumber sales. Recent federal data show August 2025 housing starts at a 1.31 million SAAR, with single-family at 890,000. Operators who pair reliable log supply with disciplined drying and clear grading see steadier throughput, while retail slab yards monetize high-margin pieces. Framing lumber prices have eased versus last year, supporting buyers’ budgets and helping close contractor accounts.

Sources: U.S. Census — New Residential Construction (Sept 17, 2025); NAHB — Framing Lumber Prices (Sept 22, 2025).

What You’ll Turn In

  • Investor-ready business plan (Word + PDF).
  • Editable 3-year financial forecast with board-foot logic.
  • Use-of-funds summary and lender-style Executive Summary.

What You’ll Customize

  • Species mix, pricing tiers, and production targets.
  • Supply contracts, equipment list, and drying calendar.
  • Sales channels: contractors, cabinet/furniture shops, retail slabs.

What’s Not Included

  • Permits, legal/tax advice, or insurance policies.
  • Equipment purchases or consumable inventory.
  • Custom modeling beyond the included forecast.

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Helpful Reads

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this work for a portable bandsaw mill?
Yes—includes mobile workflows (on-site milling, travel/loader charges), pricing by board-foot or hourly, and upsells like edging, planing, and slab surfacing.
Does it address equipment selection and brand tooling?
Covers pairing mills (e.g., Wood-Mizer, Norwood, TimberKing) with support gear (Stihl/Husqvarna saws, John Deere loaders), throughput trade-offs, blade budgets, maintenance, and when adding a kiln makes sense.
How are drying, grading, and waste handled?
Air-dry and kiln-dry timelines by thickness/species, moisture targets before surfacing, basic grading, and revenue from byproducts (firewood, sawdust, offcuts).
Is it suitable for SBA loans or private investors?
Yes—built to SBA expectations with a clear narrative and 3-year forecast. Lenders see realistic output assumptions, pricing tiers, and CAPEX/maintenance planning.
What formats are included and how fast is access?
Instant Word + PDF download. Edit your equipment list, production goals, and pricing for your region; keep a polished PDF for partners and investors.

Ready to Open Your Sawmill & Lumber Operation?

Every week you wait, competitors grab the best logs, locations, and builder contracts. This template saves $700+ in consulting fees and gets you lender-ready fast.

Start with a data-driven, funding-friendly plan investors trust — download, edit, and launch today.

Buy Now & Download Instantly – Start Your Sawmill

Version: v1.00 • Update cadence: reviewed quarterly for accuracy

Questions before buying? Email email@bplanmaker.com — we respond fast.

Last updated: October 2025 by BPlanMaker.

Templates are educational business documents, not legal or tax advice.

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