Once you know you want to proceed to hire a logger, ask several of them for references for projects similar to yours. If they don’t have any similar projects, that might not be a good sign. Ask if they are certified under the Oregon Professional Logger program.
After you have selected a logger, there are many things for you or your logger to do file a Notification of Operation with the Oregon Department of Forestry, identify property boundaries and order a survey if needed, prepare a contract, get certificates of insurance from the logger with an additional insured endorsement for the landowner(s), and keep track of all your logging revenue and expenses-you’ll need the information for income tax and harvest tax prep.
When reviewing or preparing a contract, it should include the legal names of the owners and the legal description of the property to be harvested including who marks the cutting boundary or identifies trees to harvest in a partial cut when is the harvest to happen and any weather related issues to include insurance requirements what is to be done - a clear cut, thinning, etc. the logging rate and what the logging rate includes such as: equipment move in and out, rock, road construction and maintenance, cutting, logging, hauling and log marketing, slash piling, replanting, and timber taxes.
A GOOD LOGGER CAN PROVIDE ALL THESE SERVICES WITHOUT THE NEED FOR A CONSULTANT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION, CALL BIGHORN LOGGING AT 503-324-2422. THANK YOU!