Questions To Ask a Logger:

• Are you a member of the Minnesota Logger Education Program? What is your membership number?
• How long have you been in business? How long have current crew members been with you?
• Are you and your employees covered by workers’ compensation and liability insurance? What are the dollar limits, and what kinds of accidents are covered? Will you provide me with certificates of workers’ compensation and liability insurance coverage?
• What kinds of equipment do you use? How does it match up with the conditions and requirements of my site?
• Do you handle the entire logging process, or use subcontractors for part of the work? If the latter, how do you ensure that your quality goals are met?
• What types of roads and skid trails do you normally construct? What equipment do you use to build them? How will my skid trails, landings, and haul roads look when you have completed the logging operation?
• How would you handle a dispute over timber trespass (the inadvertent or willful theft of timber) or cutting practices? What options do I have if my or my neighbor’s property is damaged?
• What Best Management Practices or Forest Management Guidelines do you normally implement? Which ones would be needed on my forest?
• Can you supply me with references of previous jobs and to some of the mills you deal with?

Questions For A Logger's References:

• Did the logger fulfill verbal and written obligations for such things as road restoration, fence repair, and cleaning up trash?
• Was the logger willing to listen to your concerns and answer your questions directly?
• Did the logger get the job done efficiently and within the specified time limit? If not, why not? (Be aware that bad weather can cause unavoidable delays.)
• Did the logger take pride in his/her workers and equipment? How about in previous jobs? Was the logger willing to show you any of these?
• Was the logger careful to avoid damaging other trees and land improvements (gates, fences, culverts, etc.)? If there was damage, did he/she make appropriate repairs?
• Did the timber harvester seem concerned about environmental matters, such as wildlife habitat, water quality, and visual concerns?
• Did he or she stop or modify operations appropriately during wet weather?
• Did the logger communicate well with you? Did the logger explain, for example, any necessary changes in the operation? Was he or she flexible in responding to your needs? How were the logger’s relations with foresters and neighboring landowners?
• In what shape did the logger leave your skid trails, haul roads, and landings?
• Would you use the logger for future timber harvests? Why or why not?