Carpenter: What is the cost of hiring?

Why hire a carpenter?

A carpenter is an expert woodworker who knows how to accurately measure, cut and shape lumber for different projects. Carpenters can work in homes doing small repairs or be part of a construction crew, helping finish the interiors of the project.

Contributions of a great carpenter:

• accuracy in measuring, cutting and shaping lumber.
• working well with teammates to get the job done quickly and accurately.
• ability to meet with clients and suppliers to help calculate the costs of a project.

Deciding between a full-time vs freelance carpenter

Carpenters will often work for construction companies, doing the interiors of buildings or renovations. Carpenters are experts at working with wood, and they can use this expertise when it comes to finishing off the interior of a project on time, whether it be a new home or a renovation.

Other carpenters will work for themselves and work as independent contractors, working on a particular project before moving on to the next. Such freelance carpenters can also make custom furniture pieces for individual clients. In this case, they would meet with the client to get an idea of what type of piece they need and then use their creative skills to create a unique piece for the client.

What are the different types of carpenters?

Carpenters can work on a variety of projects depending on their expertise. Some carpenters will work more on the rough finishes of a building which refers to the framing of a building. These carpenters work on things, such as walls, rafters, floors and roofs. Other carpenters will work on the finish of a project which refers to things, such as cabinets, staircases, mouldings and trims. The following is a list of different types of carpenters you can work with:

• Trim carpenter: will focus on installation or repair of the trim and moulding of a house.
• Cabinetmaker: will work on the cabinetry of a house or office space.
• Green carpentry: will focus on using environmentally friendly materials.
• Residential carpenter: will work on new homes or remodels.
• Furniture making: will make furniture pieces for home or office.

Where to find a carpenter

To find the right carpenter for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

• Professional associations: Carpenters are often members of a professional association. By looking for your carpenter in these associations, you can ensure that the hire will have the proper skills to be a carpenter for the required job.
• Trade schools: Carpenters need to have a certain amount of training in order to do their jobs properly. By looking at trade schools, you can make sure that who you hire has the right training for the job.
• Labour job sites: There are a few websites dedicated to people in the labour industry. These websites are a great place to find people with the specific experience you are looking for.
• Referrals: By asking friends, family, and colleagues about possible referrals, you can be sure that the person you hire has the skills that you need for the job.

Post your job online: Try posting your carpenter job on Indeed to find and attract quality carpenter candidates.

Skills to look for in a great carpenter

A great carpenter candidate will have the following skills and attributes as well as work experience that reflects:

• Expert knowledge of hand and power tools
• Detail- orientation
• Ability to accurately measure and cut wood
• High creative vision and skills
• Knowledge of building regulations and codes
• Excellent design skills

Writing a carpenter job description

A thoughtful description is important for finding qualified carpenter candidates. A carpenter job description includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities, and the required and preferred skills for the position.

When writing your carpenter job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on carpenter jobs, according to Indeed data:

• carpenter
• construction
• carpentry
• framing
• framing carpenter

Interviewing carpenter candidates

Strong candidates for carpenter positions will be confident answering questions regarding:

• Experience working on specific job type
• Understanding of safety regulations
• Experience working as part of a team
• Experience working with clients and suppliers
• Ability to create an accurate budget

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of carpenter interview questions for examples (with sample answers).