iSawVT
How To
 
How do I use iSawVT?
  Who should use iSawVT?
  iSawVT is intended primarily for portable bandsaw owners who saw lumber on a small scale or part time basis.   If you operate a sawmill as a sideline to a larger forest products business or on part time basis, this app is for you.    Larger sawmill operations may want to look into the USFS's free COST software (www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/7695).
   1. Calculate Overhead
  Use this tab to calculate the everyday expenses of your business.  Your income tax return is a good place to find most of this information.
   2. Enter Business Specifications
  Here you will answer some key questions about your business, sawmill equipment, equipment loans, labor and other aspects of your operation.
   3. Enter Lumber Products & Prices
  Provide a list of the products you produce (4/4, 5/4; etc.) and the prices for each product.
   4. Calculate Financial Results
  Here you will select a time frame (day, whole job, year), list your production in this time period and enter log costs  and other revenue from slabs and sawdust.  Once it is all entered the profit (or loss)  is shown, along with the return on investment (ROI).
  (scroll down to begin)
Overhead
   1. Calculate Overhead      
  Annual Overhead Worksheet  
  (tax returns are a good source of this info)  
  Insurance      
  (liability & equipment  insurance; do not include worker's comp here - it goes with payroll) $  
  Repairs & Maintenance  
  (actual expenses are best; 7% of gross revenue is suggested as an alternative) $  
  Office Expenses  
  (expenses related to administrative aspects of the business) $  
  Vehicle Expenses  
  (annual miles multiplied by standard mileage rate) $  
  Work Supplies  
  (cost of tools and related supplies you keep on hand) $  
  Travel  
  (hotels, airfare, car rentals and other travel expenses related to the business) $  
  Utilities  
  (include phones, internet, shop and office heat and utilities and related services) $  
  Other Expenses  
  (include other business expenses that do not fall into categories above) $  
  Total Annual Overhead  
  (use this number in the Business Specs tab)    
         
Business Specs
   2. Enter Business Specifications    
  Fill in the details:   FMV = fair market value  
  Equipment Value - Start  $    
  (FMV of all sawmill equipment on Jan. 1)        
  Equipment Value - End  $    
  (FMV of all sawmill equipment at year's end)        
  Core Equipment Value $    
  (FMV of equipment at a future sale date)        
  Annual Days of Production  
   
  (# of days of sawing)        
  Annual Overhead       
  (see Overhead Worksheet)        
  Equipment Payments  $    
  (sum of monthly payments for the year)        
  Annual Payroll $    
  (total annual payroll and owner salary)        
  Daily Fuel Consumption       
  (gallons of fuel used in an average day)        
  Fuel Price ($/gallon) $    
           
Products
     3. Enter Products & Prices
    Fill Product Names and Prices
    Product $/BF
  1
  2
  3
  4
  5
  6
  7
  8
  9
  10
       
Calculate Results
           
   4. Calculate Financial Results    
           
  Select Time Frame:
     
           
  Production         
  (for time frame above)      
  Product Production Price Revenue  
1  
2  
3  
4  
5  
6  
7  
8  
9  
10  
  board feet: total  
  Log Cost ($) enter the cost of logs purchased for this run; if none, enter $0  
  Slab & Sawdust Revenue  ($) enter any revenue realized from the sale of slabs or sawdust; if none, enter $0  
  Days of Sawing       
           
  Profit (Loss)      
           
  Return on Investment (ROI)      
Log Volumes
  Log Volume (BF)
  Choose Log Length
   
feet  
  Choose Log Diameter
   
inches  
  Board Foot Volumes
  Doyle  
           
  Scribner  
           
  International  
           
  Vermont  
Lumber Tally
  Lumber Tally  
  (summarize board foot totals)    
  Select Lumber Thickness (inches)
 
  Enter # of Boards by Size Below 
  Length       Width (Inches)  
  (Feet) 2" 4" 6" 8" 10" 12"
  6'
  8'
  10'
  12'
  14'
  16'
               
  Total Board Feet      
Print or Save Report
  iSawVT Report  
         
  Business Name:  
         
  Job Name:  
         
  Days Sawing    
         
  Production   
  (for # of days sawing)      
         
  Total Revenue:      
         
  Total Costs:      
         
  Profit:    
         
  ROI    
  (return on investment)      
     
         
  Use the "Print This" button below to print a copy of this report; Use your browser's share button and then go to 'options' to chose to send PDF copy of this report.  
Logging Chance
VT FBS
 
  The Vermont Forest Business School conducts annual six month sessions   Students are mid-career working landscape business owners and professionals.   Sessions begin in the Fall.  VTFBS also produces resources such as this app to assist people in the forest producsts supply chain.
  VT FBS sessions meet remotely for an hour once each week to discuss audiobook and podcast assignments designed to foster continuous improvement in production,  project management and financial decision making.  The program is designed to fit the schedules and lifestyles of working people.  The emphasis is on learning and critical thinking, rather than memorization, compliance and signaling.
  Careful selection of motivated students ensures a pleasant supportive educational experience for all. In the FBS program, everyone teaches and everyone learns.  While continuing education credits are available to meet various program requirements, no emphasis is placed on this.  
  Want to learn more about the program and find out if enrollment is right for you?   Send us an email:
  Email VT FBS
About
  About
  This is app is brought to you by Dr. Steven Bick of Northeast Forests LLC.   Northeast Forests provides research, extension and support services to the forest products industry and the working landscape.
  Want more useful programs, calculators and information?  Check out loggingchance.com
  This mobile app was funded by the Vermont Working Lands Enterprise Initiative and may be used and circulated freely.  
  The app should be used for informational purposes and provides no guarantee of financial success.
  Visit VT Working Lands
  Northeast Forests, LLC
  LoggingChance.com