How much does a forester cost?

Like most questions about forestry, this one can be answered in two simple words: It Depends. The three main ways a forester charges for services are commission, per acre, and hourly. Foresters may use all three systems based on the service to be performed.

Commission payments are usually done on timber sales and may include services beyond those associated with the sale itself. In addition to standard timber harvest activities, other services can be negotiated into a commission agreement including forest inventory, management plan writing, and retainer for professional advice in the future. Benefits of entering into a commission agreement with a forester include: no out-of-pocket expenses, the ability to bundle services, and ensuring the forester has a vested interest in obtaining the best value for your product. The main drawback is a focus on merchantable timber to the possible detriment of other goals.

Per acre charges can cover almost every activity a forester is hired to do. It can be either straight up in the instances of Timber Stand Improvement, invasive species eradication, or tree planting or as base amount for office work plus a per acre sliding scale for inventory and/or plan writing. The main benefit to this arrangement is that the cost is known before work is contracted; a drawback is that management of smaller stands or properties may be cost prohibitive if a minimum compensation amount is not reached.

Hourly rates for services can apply to any services a forester performs including boundary line maintenance, trail layout, or timber trespass appraisal and testimony. Benefits include services being pay-as-you-go and having a record of the number of hours spent on each project. Drawbacks include potential for higher than expected total costs if services take longer than expected or the elimination of vital services (i.e. timber sale oversight) in order to save money.
For the most part prices are negotiable and vary based upon the services provided. In the end it is not as important how a forester is paid as it is that a landowner receives the best services for their money. Always remember that you hire the forester to work for you; choose a forester the same way any other job would be hired. Interview several candidates, ensure that they listen to your goals and objectives, check credentials and references, and find the person that best fits your needs and personality.