How much does carpentry cost ?

We all need the services of a carpenter at some time, whether it’s for framing a house on a new home build project, putting the finishing touches such as moldings, or repairing and renovation work on older properties. Carpentry is one of the oldest professions, but a good carpenter can make a big difference in terms of how efficient a home building project is completed or how good moldings and finishes are fitted and therefore the overall quality of your home. It is always best to use a qualified carpenter and better still if they come recommended by other people in your local area.

Types of carpentry.

Carpenters normally work in two main areas: construction and finishing. Construction carpenters typically work on framing new house build projects, erecting the essential timber frame of new houses including the joists, beams and other timber work associated with the structural elements of the project. This is commonly known as ‘first fix’ carpentry and is involved in most building project, both private and commercial.

‘Second fix’ carpenters deal with the installation (and sometimes the fabrication) of things like skirting boards, wooden moldings, internal and external doors, window frames, internal and external trims, flooring and staircases, among others. Glancing round a traditional house you’ll be surprised just how much woodwork most of them have.

Carpentry costs : framing.

The cost of constructing a wooden framed house obviously varies depending on several factors such as the price of lumber, local labor charges, geographical location, and the size and exact design of the house in question. There are three different types of wood frame that are common: full timber frame, post and beam and also stick framing, each with their advantages and benefits. To get an idea of framing costs; for an average new house the costs of erecting the frame can typically represent around 65% of the overall construction budget, with lumber varying between $22 and $45 per square foot and labor between $7.5 and $15 per square foot, so for example you could expect to pay anything between $15,000 and $30,000 to frame an average sized new house, or between $30 and $60 per square foot.

Other carpentry costs : second fix carpentry.

Depending on your exact needs, sizes, design, and difficulty of installation based on the site of an individual property, carpentry costs for erecting and installing various items will vary. Some typical examples would be:

• A wooden fence might cost between $18 and $22 per linear foot to erect if no special requirements are needed and it is a straightforward job.
• Sub-floor plywood flooring goes for around $4.5 to $7.5 per square foot depending on the complexity of the job.
• Window frames should cost between $2.25 and $3.70 per linear foot for installation, but price will vary according to type and quality of wood used in their construction.
• The installation of internal moldings could run anywhere between $2.25 and $6 per linear foot depending on their design and method of fixing.
• Sometimes carpenters also hang dry-walling, and the average cost would be around 65 cents per square foot for hanging and finishing, or around $33 per standard sized sheet of drywall.

When it comes to finishing an entire house, a carpenter might charge in the region of $4.5 to $5.5 per square foot for doing the basic interior trim, internal doors, window frames, baseboards and other internal fittings in a home, which would probably come to around $5,000 to $6,000 for an average house.

General Carpentry costs.

Carpenters are commonly asked to make decks, porches cabinets or custom units for bathrooms and kitchens as well as construct built in wardrobes and do other carpentry work.  The cost of hiring a carpenter for this kind of work will depend a lot on the design or complexity of what you want done exactly, but typically will cost from for top quality work. This doe$52 per hour for a budget job to $80-$90 per hours not include materials.

An average built in wardrobe will cost around $6,000 with everything included, $3,700 being the bottom end of the budget for anything reasonable. Removal of old kitchen cabinets and installing new cabinets should cost around $250.00. The cost of customized cabinets will depend on the material you want, design and size, but you can calculate it on around $35 per hour to $55 per hour, plus materials, and should take around 6 x 8 hour days to complete an entire kitchen with around 12-14 cabinets. Installing just kitchen vanity tops and bathroom countertops made of solid material such as marble and laminate will probably cost around $225. The costs of solid stone counters (like marble) vary depending exactly on the type of stone, and thickness, but typically a 1" thick top will cost around $60 to $180 per square foot and prefabricated laminated counters cost between $36 and $45 per linear foot, plus installation.

By finding local contractors or certified carpenters in your local area and getting different quotes for your particular job, you’ll be able to compare what they offer and also discuss your job in more detail and get a more accurate idea of the carpentry costs involved.


To get a better idea of costs, here are some carpentry estimates from professionals.

Request a quote