What to include when you order custom-milled lumber
Custom milling works best when your request reads like a small spec sheet: clear targets, realistic lengths, and enough context that the mill can plan yield, setups, and scheduling—not guess what “close enough” might mean on your job.
The sections below are what we look for every day. The closer you can get to this format, the faster we can turn your note into a quote and the fewer back-and-forth questions you will field.
Thickness, width, and length targets
Start each line item with the dimensions you need to hit—thickness, width, and length—stating whether those numbers are nominal rough, finished after dressing, or a mix. If tolerances matter (for example, for trim, T&G coverage, or a beam pocket), say so up front.
Lengths are where a little alignment with how we cut and handle stock goes a long way. Where your project allows, we prefer lengths on four-foot increments (4′, 8′, 12′, 16′, and so on). That lines up with how material moves through the mill, stacks, and ships, and it usually gives you the best yield and the most predictable pricing.
In practice, 8′, 12′, and 16′ are the sweet spot for most runs we quote and produce. If you need 20′, ask early—it is often available by request when log supply, equipment, and handling line up, but it is not always on the floor the same way shorter clears are.
We can still look at odd lengths when the job demands it, but non-standard cuts often mean more waste, more handling, or a longer lead time. If you can flex even one line toward 8′, 12′, or 16′ (still on 4′ increments), say so in your note—it opens more options on our side.
Quantities by line item—not only board feet
After dimensions and lengths, add quantities by line item: how many pieces, how many lineal feet per length, or a clear takeoff by wall or opening—not just a single total board-foot number. Board feet alone does not tell us whether you need twelve 16s or forty-eight 8s, and that difference changes setups and yield.
If you are not sure yet, a rough split (“about half in 12s, half in 16s”) still helps us sanity-check the run before we lock in a quote.
Species, grade, and how the material will be used
Mention species preference if you have one—or say “mill run” or “best available for this dimension” if you are flexible and want us to steer toward what cuts cleanly that week.
Call out whether the material is structural, visual only, or a bit of both, and whether grade matters (tight knot, select, appearance, and so on). That affects what we pull from inventory and how aggressive we can be on width and length recovery.
Surfacing, dressing, and edges
List any surfacing needs explicitly: S4S, one or two resawn faces, planing to thickness, eased edges, T&G or other profiles, or “rough sawn only.” Mills schedule dressing and blade changes around those choices, so stating them early avoids a second pass through the shop.
Photos, sketches, and matching existing stock
If you are matching existing stock, photos with a tape measure in the frame are surprisingly helpful—same for a simple hand sketch of each run, openings, and preferred board direction. Even rough notes beat a single phone description when we are trying to picture the install.
Job dates, pickup, and delivery
Finally, share your target install or delivery window and any constraints (site access, forklift vs hand unload, hold until dry-in, and so on). We schedule around kiln time, dressing loads, and other runs on the books; the earlier you communicate a real timeline, the easier it is to reserve capacity and keep your project moving.
When you have dimensions, preferred lengths (remember: 4′ increments, with 8′, 12′, and 16′ ideal and 20′ by request when you need it), and quantities in one place, send it through our quote form and we will come back with questions, options, or a number as soon as we can.