2 Easy Ways to Get Sawn Logs in Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

• You can purchase Sawn Logs from any lumber mill. Speak to the mill owner to trade 200 Septims for 20 Sawn Logs.
• Befriend the mill owner by selling them firewood. This allows you to use the saw mill freely.
• Ask the owner to use the sawmill. Interact with the lumber pile and lever to begin.

Purchasing Sawn Logs

Visit a lumber mill. There are a variety of lumber mills spread throughout the map. Anga's Mill, The Pale, west of Windhelm Deadwood Lumber Mill, Falkreath Dragon Bridge Lumber Camp, Haafingar Half-Moon Mill, Falkreath Hold at Lake Ilinalta Heartwood Mill, The Rift, at Lake Honrich Ivarstead's lumber mill, The Rift Mixwater Mill, Eastmarch Morthal's lumber mill, Hjaalmarch Riverwood's lumber mill, Whiterun Hold Solitude Sawmill, Haafingar

Speak to the mill owner. The mill owner should be inside of the lumber mill. If you can't find them, they may be in their homes.

Purchase the Sawn Logs. For 20 Sawn logs, you'll need 200 Septims. This can be pricey if you need a lot of Sawn Logs, so you can either farm for Septims or cut the logs yourself.

Cutting Sawn Logs

Befriend the owner of a lumber mill. If you become friends with a lumber mill's owner, they will let you to cut the lumber yourself. Speak to the owner, and then offer to sell them firewood. Make sure they are at home rather than working at the mill as this makes them more likely to accept your offer. You can get firewood by using a woodcutter's axe at a wood chopping block. These are scattered throughout the towns. Chopping wood is also a great way to make money without leveling up or increasing skills in Skyrim. Continue to sell them firewood until your disposition rises enough for their permission to use the saw mill.

Ask the mill owner to use the saw mill. The mill owner should be inside of the lumber mill. If you can't find them, they may be in their homes. Select the dialogue option: "Can I just cut the lumber myself?" or similar.

Interact with the lumber pile. There should be a stack of lumber beside the saw mill. Interact with it to place the log onto the saw mill.

Interact with the lever. You can find the lever by the saw of the saw mill. This will begin the cutting process. This process will take some time, but it's free to do. Once the log is cut, you'll receive 10 Sawn Logs. Sawn Logs won't be found in your inventory; they'll be delivered to the building site of the homestead. If you get married, you can also move your marriage partner to this site once it's fully built.