Hot Tips on Buying Firewood

If you've ever ordered a cord of firewood, you know it's a lot of wood. But you also know it's hard to tell whether you've gotten your money's worth. According to Amy Sinclair, Public Relations Officer for San Francisco's Department of Consumer Assurance (also known as the Department of Weights and Measures in some counties), the measurements of a cord should be roughly 4 feet high by four feet wide, by 8 feet long. The seller should provide a written receipt listing contact information and the type of firewood and amount ordered.

With enough notice, a county inspector will even come out to your home to take measurements when the wood is delivered to make sure you're not cheated. These inspectors are also responsible for making sure all gas pumps, electronic scanners and parking meters are accurate.