Last updated on April 3rd, 2023
Carpentry prices guide
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Carpentry is a woodworking skill that involves making or repairing things using various types of wood. Carpenters cover a whole range of jobs, from building timber roofs, to making fitted wardrobes, handmade bookshelves and made-to-measure staircases.
In this carpentry prices guide, we’re going to discuss the different types of carpentry that exist and the factors affecting carpenter prices.
We spoke to the online estimators at My Build Estimate – a professional estimating company monitored by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and we’ve used their estimated, average costs to work out the prices in this guide.
Types of carpentry
There are various types of carpentry that require different carpenter skill sets. Most carpenters will choose a specialism and become an expert in that field. Examples include:
Rough carpenter
Those who specialise in framing, formwork, roofing and structural works, including stairs, decking and shelving.
Joister
Those who lay floor joists in preparation for floor surfaces.
Trim or finish carpenter
Those who specialise in mouldings and trims, e.g. mantles, skirting boards, baseboards and door frames.
Framer
Those who specialise in the skeletal wooden framework of buildings.
Roofer
Those who specialise in the rafters, beams and trusses of roof constructions.
Cabinet maker
Those who specialise in intricate and detailed work for furniture, e.g. wardrobes, dressers and storage chests.
Log cabins are a carpenter’s pièce de résistance. Check out our log cabin cost guide for a comprehensive overview.
Factors affecting the cost of carpentry prices
There are several factors that can affect carpenter prices. These include:
- The location of the works
- How big the job is to complete
- The age and condition of your property
- How long the job inevitably takes
- The type of wood, quality, materials and fittings required
Carpenter prices going rate
| Cost provided item | Unit | Price range - Low range | Price range - High | Average UK cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture refinishing | Per hour | £35 | £45 | £40 |
| Cabinet repair | Per hour | £35 | £45 | £40 |
| Finish carpentry | Per hour | £30 | £45 | £37.50 |
| General carpentry | Per hour | £30 | £45 | £37.50 |
| Fine woodworking | Per hour | £35 | £45 | £40 |
| Construct a fitted wardrobe | Ea | £800 | £1,400 | £1,100 |
| Supply and fit skirting board | Per m | £20 | £40 | £30 |
| Hang a new door (labour only) | Ea | £100 | £140 | £120 |
| Install decking (labour only) | Per m² | £80 | £120 | £100 |
| Laminate flooring install (labour only) | per m² | £40 | £50 | £45 |
| Engineered wood flooring install (labour only) | per m² | £45 | £55 | £50 |
| Natural wood flooring install (labour only) | per m² | £50 | £60 | £55 |
| Herringbone pattern install (labour only) | per m² | £65 | £90 | £77.50 |
Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now
The price you’ll pay for a carpenter will vary. However, on average, you can expect to pay around £37.50 per hour for their services, although prices vary depending on where you live and the service you choose. Below, we’re going to discuss the most common carpentry and joinery requests and the costs associated with each job.
Cost to hang a door
Door hanging services are often completed by a carpenter who will come and measure, hang, finish and trim external or internal doors.
Average carpenter cost per door: £120
Cost of installing flooring
When it comes to flooring, carpenters will either measure and install structural groundwork or supply and fit your chosen flooring. Common materials include:
Average carpenter rates: £45 - £77.50 per m² (depending on the type of flooring)
Cost of installing decking
Those looking to have decking installed in an outdoor area will need to hire a carpenter to measure, structure, fit and finish it. The overall costs will depend on the size and complexity of the job, plus the quality of the wood required.
Average carpenter cost per m²: £100
Cost of constructing a fitted wardrobe
Whether you’d like a made-to-measure fitted wardrobe or a brand new one built from scratch, the carpentry costs will depend on the style, placement, type of wood being used and size of the area being fitted.
You can check out our built-in wardrobes for your home article for more information.
Average carpenter cost for a fitted wardrobe: £1,100
Cost of fitting skirting boards
Also known as a ‘baseboard,’ a skirting board is a decorative frame that hides the joint between floor and wall for easier cleaning and aesthetic purposes.
Average installation cost per metre: £30
Cost of furniture refinishing
Refinishing refers to the act of repairing or reapplying a wood finish on an object, such as a chest of drawers or storage cabinet. It uses the application of a topcoat, varnish or lacquer to restore or improve the appearance and finish of wood furniture.
Average carpenter cost per hour: £37.50
Cost of cabinet repair
Repairing cabinets and their skins or finishes is the job of a cabinet carpenter, who uses their artistic skills to enhance the overall look of your cupboards.
Average cabinet carpenter rates per hour: £40
Cost of fine woodworking
Fine woodworking is a carpentry skill that fashions intricate items from wood. Carvings, joinery and woodturning can all be utilised to make items such as figurines, sculptures or elaborate furniture designs.
Average woodworking carpenter rates per hour: £40
Second fix carpentry cost price
Carpentry jobs are divided into two phases: pre and post plastering. Also known as the first and second fix. The first fix includes foundation work that prepares a house for plastering. It starts from the frame of a building to the point it’s ready for decorating.
Some tasks include:
- Studwork
- Floating Floors
- Staircases
- Windows
- Window Boards
- Exterior Doors
- Internal Door Linings
- Noggins (aka bridging)
- Bathroom boxing (hiding pipes)
Once this is completed, the second phase or ‘fix’ commences. This is when a carpenter ensures that the woodwork is finished to a high standard and has all the final touches.
Some tasks include:
- Internal doors
- Architraves or door linings
- Skirting boards and mouldings
- Pre-formed door sets
- The staircase components
- Bathroom boxing (low level)
Average carpenter cost = £300 per day
Average joinery prices = £37.50 per hour
Should I hire a professional carpenter?
Hiring a professional joiner or carpenter is beneficial for many reasons.
The most important reason to hire a professional is that their expertise means you’ll get a great finish.
Joinery prices and carpentry prices vary, but you can expect to pay a day rate of around £300 for most jobs.
Key insights
- Specialist bespoke joinery and wardrobe prices will vary significantly depending on the features and type of timber being used.
- Some carpenters will only work on full day rates, even if there’s a small amount of work required.
- Different carpenters specialise in different areas. For example, some will be good at structural carpentry such as roof rafters/joists/trusses, while others will prefer finishing carpentry such as doors, skirting, bespoke joinery.
- A carpenter cost per day is on average £300.
The tick you can trust
8/10 homeowners would choose a tradesperson endorsed by Checkatrade over one who isn't*
Claims are sourced from a survey conducted by Deep Blue Thinking on a nationally representative UK sample in November 2021. *8 out of 10 people would choose a trade endorsed by Checkatrade compared to one that isn’t endorsed.
Claims are sourced from a survey conducted by Deep Blue Thinking on a nationally representative UK sample in November 2021. *8 out of 10 people would choose a trade endorsed by Checkatrade compared to one that isn’t endorsed.
Sandra Williams
Good guide as a woman on my own I've been ripped off in the past but thanks to you not anymore