🔥 Firewood Scams in NZ: How to Spot Bad Wood Before You Buy
- The Firewood Company
- May 12
- 3 min read
Don’t Get Burned This Winter – Here’s What to Watch For
When the temperatures drop, firewood becomes one of New Zealand’s most important home essentials. But not all wood is created equal, and not all suppliers are honest. Across Aotearoa, firewood scams are leaving Kiwis cold, frustrated, and sometimes at risk of chimney fires or health issues.
But look no further The Firewood Company has you covered as we uncover how to spot dodgy firewood, what red flags to watch for when buying, and how to protect your home and family this winter.
🪵 Common Firewood Scams in NZ
Unfortunately, not all firewood sellers are upfront about what they’re delivering. Here are the most common scams we’ve seen:
1. “Seasoned” Wood That’s Actually Green
Green wood feels heavy, damp, and smells sappy. It’s hard to burn, produces excess smoke, and leads to dangerous creosote build-up.
🔍 TIP: Truly seasoned wood should have visible cracks, feel lighter, and make a sharp sound when tapped together.
2. Short Loads
You pay for a cubic metre, but what turns up doesn’t measure up. Some sellers fluff the load with air gaps and wet wood, or smaller-than-standard stack sizes.
🔍 TIP: A true cubic metre is a tight stack, not a loosely dumped pile.
3. Softwoods Sold as Premium
Softwoods like willow or poplar burn fast and leave heavy ash. Some suppliers try to pass them off as top-quality hardwoods. Softwoods are great for starting a fire and getting those lovely embers burning bright, however, at The Firewood Company, we recommend a good mix to ensure a long-lasting and hot burn.
🔍 TIP: Ask for a list of wood species and research before buying.
🚨 WARNING: Never Burn These Types of Wood
Burning the wrong kind of wood isn't just inefficient—it can be dangerous. Here’s what you should NEVER burn in your fireplace or wood burner:
❌ Treated Timber
Releases toxic fumes (including arsenic or copper-based chemicals) into your home.
❌ Painted or Varnished Wood
Produces harmful smoke that can damage your lungs and stain your chimney.
❌ Wet or Green Wood
Creates excess creosote, leading to chimney fires and respiratory irritation.
🛑 Always ask where the wood comes from and ensure it’s untreated, dry, and stored correctly. With the cost of living biting many around New Zealand – free wood offerings are very tempting. But it’s always important to check that the wood you are burning will keep you warm and not damage your health or your neighbourhood's health.
At The Firewood Company, we are WINZ approved and offer pensioner discounts to help locals ensure they are burning top-quality firewood.
✅ How to Check Before You Buy Firewood
Don’t get caught out—here’s a quick checklist:
🔲 Is the supplier locally known and reviewed?
🔲 Can they provide moisture content info? (Should be under 20%)
🔲 Are the wood types clearly listed?
🔲 Are prices too good to be true? (That’s often a sign of poor quality)
🔲 Can you inspect the wood before buying?
🔲 Does the business have a good reputation and transparent testimonials?
🔥 Why Kiwis Trust The Firewood Company
At The Firewood Company, we’re proudly transparent and 100% local. Here’s why our customers stay warm and stress-free:
✔️ Kiln-dried and seasoned firewood that’s ready to burn
✔️ Full disclosure of wood types
✔️ Fair, honest measurements—you get what you pay for
✔️ No treated, painted, or substandard wood—ever
✔️ Fast delivery across Marlborough and surrounding regions
✔️ Sustainably sourced local firewood
📦 Get your firewood sorted now before demand spikes and dodgy sellers flood the market.
There’s nothing worse than thinking you’re stocked for winter, only to realise your firewood is useless. With scams and dodgy suppliers on the rise, it pays to be informed. Choose a trusted local provider like The Firewood Company to guarantee quality, safety, and peace of mind.
Ready to order?👉 Contact us today or check out our firewood options on the website:www.thefirewoodcompany.co.nz
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