How much is a used chainsaw worth?

Most used gas chainsaws resell for about $60–$150, but a name-brand pro saw (Stihl, Husqvarna, Echo) in running condition can bring $150–$350+ even well-used, because those saws are built to be rebuilt and run for decades. Off-brand or big-box gas saws are worth less, around $40–$100. Electric chainsaws — corded or battery — sell for $20–$70. A saw that won't start at all is still worth something for parts (bar, chain, carburetor), roughly $15–$40.

That's the short version, plus a safety note before you test one.

Used chainsaw value range

Estimates only — actual resale depends on bar length, brand, engine condition, and local demand. Not guaranteed.

A safety note before you test a used chainsaw

A chainsaw is not a tool to casually pull-start on a stranger's curb the way you might a leaf blower. Before you buy or test one: check that the chain brake engages (the front handguard should stop the chain immediately when pushed forward), inspect the bar for cracks or excessive wear, and don't run it if you're not confident in what you're doing. If you're unsure a saw is safe to test yourself, it's reasonable to buy it "as-is, untested" at a lower price and have a small-engine shop look it over before you resell it.

What drives a chainsaw's resale value

• Brand. Stihl, Husqvarna, and Echo dominate the used market — pro-grade saws from these brands hold value for years because parts are widely available and the engines are built to be serviced, not replaced.
• Bar length. Common 16–18" bars are the most in-demand size for general use; very short (12") or very long (20"+) bars serve narrower use cases and sell slower.
• Does it start and run at idle without stalling. This is the single biggest value question — a saw that starts easily is worth far more than one that "just needs a tune-up."
• Chain and bar condition. A dull or damaged chain is a cheap fix (chains are inexpensive and easy to swap), but a bent or gouged bar is a bigger deduction.
• Chain brake function. A saw with a non-functioning chain brake is both a safety issue and a resale red flag — always mention its condition honestly in a listing.

Is a chainsaw worth flipping?

A free, name-brand gas chainsaw that starts and runs is one of the higher-value tool flips available — Stihl and Husqvarna saws specifically get searched for by name and can clear $150–$300+ for a quick clean and chain sharpening. Off-brand and non-running saws are smaller flips; only take on a "needs work" saw if you specifically know small-engine repair, since chainsaw carburetor work is fiddlier than most yard equipment.

What to grab: any Stihl/Husqvarna/Echo saw that starts, has an intact bar, and a functioning chain brake. What to skip: saws with a bent bar, a chain brake that doesn't engage, or a "doesn't run" saw unless you or a shop can diagnose it cheaply.

How to flip a free chainsaw

1. Inspect the chain brake first, before anything else — push the front handguard forward and confirm the chain locks.
2. Check the bar and chain for cracks, excessive rust, or a chain that's clearly dull/damaged.
3. If it runs, let it idle — it should hold a steady idle without stalling or revving on its own.
4. Clean the housing and bar — sawdust and old bar oil build up fast and make a saw look far worse than it runs.
5. Sharpen the chain if needed (a cheap file or a shop does this for a few dollars) — "freshly sharpened" is a real selling point buyers look for.
6. List with brand, bar length, and "starts and runs" clearly stated — and disclose honestly if the chain brake or any safety feature isn't working.

Where free chainsaws come from

People give away chainsaws after storm cleanup season ends, when they downsize from a property with trees, or when a saw sits unused in a garage for years and they'd rather it go to someone who'll use it than keep gathering dust. Pro-grade saws showing up free are less common than mid-range yard equipment, but they do turn up — especially from estate cleanouts.

That's the gap Freebox closes — it surfaces free finds near you with an estimated resale value already attached, so you know a Stihl on the curb is worth the stop before you drive over.

Find free chainsaws worth flipping near you

Freebox shows free stuff being given away near your ZIP, each with an estimated resale value and profit, and pings you when a high-value find drops. See what free chainsaws near you are worth — then grab the good ones before someone else does.

Freebox is a paid app. Resale figures are estimates, not guarantees.

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FAQ

How much is a used chainsaw worth? Most used gas chainsaws resell for $60–$150. A name-brand pro saw (Stihl, Husqvarna, Echo) in running condition can bring $150–$350+ even well-used. Electric chainsaws sell for less, around $20–$70.

Is it safe to test-start a used chainsaw before buying? Only if you're confident in what you're checking — chain brake engagement, bar condition, and a steady idle. If you're not sure, it's reasonable to buy "as-is, untested" at a lower price and have a small-engine shop inspect it before you resell.

Why do Stihl and Husqvarna chainsaws sell for so much more used? Both brands build saws meant to be serviced and rebuilt rather than replaced, and parts stay available for years. Buyers actively search for these names specifically because they know a used one from a reputable seller can still have a long working life left.

Is it worth flipping a free chainsaw that doesn't start? Only if you or a shop can diagnose it cheaply — chainsaw carburetor and fuel-system issues are fiddlier than most yard equipment. Otherwise it's typically parts-only value ($15–$40).

Where do people give away free chainsaws? Estate cleanouts, after a property changes hands and loses its trees to maintain, and general garage cleanouts. Apps like Freebox aggregate these listings and add an estimated resale value so you know what's worth grabbing.

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