Top 10 Carpenters in Ann Arbor, MI

Porch Pro Headshot KnR Home Maintenance
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
(54)
"We're very happy with the work KnR Home Maintenance did in our master bathrm! There was a lot more work than anticipated b/c water had been leaking from the shower for who-knows-how-long and they had to remove the damaged wood beneath the ceramic tile before they could install the new tiles. Ev...Read more about KnR Home Maintenance
"We're very happy with the work KnR Home Maintenance did in our master bathrm! There was a lot more work than anticipated b/c water had been leaking from the shower for who-knows-how-long and they had to remove the damaged wood beneath the ceramic tile before they could install the new tiles. Ev...Read more about KnR Home Maintenance
Porch Pro Headshot Kuby Building Co
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
(5)
"We've had 2 bathrooms, a kitchen floor and fireplace done by Kuby Building and the results are nothing short of amazing. Projects were completed on time and under budget. Brandon is professional, personable and when the job was done, there was literally nothing to clean up. Highly recommend Kuby bu...Read more about Kuby Building Co
"We've had 2 bathrooms, a kitchen floor and fireplace done by Kuby Building and the results are nothing short of amazing. Projects were completed on time and under budget. Brandon is professional, personable and when the job was done, there was literally nothing to clean up. Highly recommend Kuby bu...Read more about Kuby Building Co
Porch Pro Headshot New Life Custom Carpentry
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
(8)
New Life Custom Carpentry is a family owned, licensed and insured business, with over 16 years of experience in the Metro Detroit area. We are gifted in many areas of work including cabinetry installation, interior/exterior doors, custom interior/exterior trim and installation of decking. We primar...Read more about New Life Custom Carpentry
New Life Custom Carpentry is a family owned, licensed and insured business, with over 16 years of experience in the Metro Detroit area. We are gifted in many areas of work including cabinetry installation, interior/exterior doors, custom interior/exterior trim and installation of decking. We primar...Read more about New Life Custom Carpentry
Porch Pro Headshot Kent Peterson Greenbuild Carpenter
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
(2)
"Excellent! Mr Peterson and his staff worked carefully and diligently throughout my project. He is very knowledgeable about "green" building practices and was able to reuse and repurpose several materials for my project. He is very detail-oriented and trustworthy. I highly recommend him as a carpent...Read more about Kent Peterson Greenbuild Carpenter
"Excellent! Mr Peterson and his staff worked carefully and diligently throughout my project. He is very knowledgeable about "green" building practices and was able to reuse and repurpose several materials for my project. He is very detail-oriented and trustworthy. I highly recommend him as a carpent...Read more about Kent Peterson Greenbuild Carpenter
Porch Pro Headshot Yvon Ethier
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
My 44 years in the Construction Industry gives me skills and experience, giving you confidence, to accomplish your kitchen or bathroom remodel, finish basement, deck or any general home and outdoor building repairs. We commit ourselves to Quality and Customer Satisfaction. It will be my pleasure to...Read more about Yvon Ethier
My 44 years in the Construction Industry gives me skills and experience, giving you confidence, to accomplish your kitchen or bathroom remodel, finish basement, deck or any general home and outdoor building repairs. We commit ourselves to Quality and Customer Satisfaction. It will be my pleasure to...Read more about Yvon Ethier
Porch Pro Headshot O'Neal's Odds & Ends
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
(6)
O'Neal's Odds and Ends is a family owned and operated handyman business. We will tackle almost any job on your honey do or home improvement list.
O'Neal's Odds and Ends is a family owned and operated handyman business. We will tackle almost any job on your honey do or home improvement list.
Porch Pro Headshot Greenbow Contracting Inc.
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
(1)
"Brice was very helpful in taking the time to explain what the project would take and how much it would cost so there were no surprises. Great communication and work done on time at a very reasonable price! "
"Brice was very helpful in taking the time to explain what the project would take and how much it would cost so there were no surprises. Great communication and work done on time at a very reasonable price! "
Porch Pro Headshot Handy Hometown Services
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
We started as a handyman company but have grown to a full remodeling and handyman company. We are
We started as a handyman company but have grown to a full remodeling and handyman company. We are
Porch Pro Headshot JDZ Construction
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
Porch Pro Headshot Pete's Visions
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
(5)
Pete's Visions is a remodeling contractor in Dexter. For over 15 years, we have been offering custom staircases, kitchen and bath remodeling and custom millwork trim.
Pete's Visions is a remodeling contractor in Dexter. For over 15 years, we have been offering custom staircases, kitchen and bath remodeling and custom millwork trim.

Frequently asked questions about carpenters

Carpentry is one of the oldest professions — for as long as people have needed shelter to live in, there has been some form of carpentry. Today, carpentry has become a very specialized trade and most carpenters have a niche. The hallmark of all types of carpentry is that carpenters are experts in working with wood. There are some small exceptions to this for buildings that use steel studs or other types of metal framing, for example. However, for the most part, when you think carpenters, think wood.

  • Rough carpenters – Rough carpenters are one of the first trades you'll have on-site if you’re building a house. Their expertise is in the overall structure and stability of buildings and the big-picture aspects of building a home.
  • Framing carpenters – Framing carpenters are the pros responsible for putting up the base structure that will become the interior and exterior walls of a building. Framing carpentry goes hand-in-hand with rough carpentry, however, framing is often seen as a specialized skill.
  • Jointers – Joint carpentry involves putting together floor joists that create the surface you'll walk on once it's finished.
  • Cabinet makers – Carpenters specializing in cabinetry are extremely skilled at fine woodworking and excel at precise and detail-oriented work. They are some of the last carpenters that work on a project because cabinetry is a part of the finishing process and is generally one of the last things that are installed.
  • Finish carpenters – similar to cabinet makers, finish carpenters are responsible for the finer details that are not structural but make up the parts of your home that you'll see daily. Finish carpenters will be the ones to install your trim, wood flooring, railings, and handrails and are also sometimes referred to as trim carpenters.

Have they done the work being requested before?

This is an important question that can often be overlooked, with potential clients assuming that all carpenters work on all types of projects. As we discussed before, carpentry has several specialized skill sets, so it's important to make sure that any carpenter you're considering has worked on your type of project before.

Are they examples of their work?

Carpenters near you will have pictures of past projects they've done that they can share with you. The building process is impressive, and the change from beginning to end can be staggering, so these proud tradespeople will likely have work they'll be happy to show you.

How much experience do they have in your type of project?

This ties into the first question, however, it’s a bit more detailed. Many clients have fallen into the trap of only asking basic questions, like “Have you done a project like this before?” and failing to follow up with, “How many times?”

In many cases, it may not matter if a carpenter has only done a certain type of work once or twice, but it could make a huge difference if your project is complex — and that’s not something you want to find out mid-project.

Are they licensed (if necessary)?

Many municipalities will require permits for carpentry work, depending on the scale. These permits are only applicable if a certified carpenter will be doing the work. In addition, your carpenter may need to have a Red Seal in carpentry to obtain the correct insurance.

Are they insured?

There are three different types of insurance that carpenters will need to carry to conduct work safely. These are general liability insurance, professional liability insurance, and Worker's Compensation insurance.

Don't be shy about asking a carpenter you're thinking of hiring for proof of the appropriate insurance, and be wary if they can't provide documentation.

The short answer to this question is that a carpenter isn't always a builder, but a builder is most often a carpenter. Don't worry — we’ll clarify what that means below.

Carpenter

As we discussed above, there are many types of local carpenters who specialize in one or more distinct areas of carpentry. Depending on where you are in your construction process, multiple carpenters who are experts in their niche may be needed.

Builder

If a construction professional refers to themselves as a builder, they are likely saying that they are a general contractor or a construction project manager who can take more of a full-scope approach to your project. Most builders are carpenters by trade but have expanded their skillet to encompass more of the building process.

It can be a bit confusing because carpenters do build things, but when someone is referred to as a builder, it generally means that they are experienced in integrating multiple stages of construction and tradespeople on one project.

However, this is definitely a bit of a gray area. Make sure to clarify what type of professional you’re working with when you vet tradespeople, so you know exactly what their specialty is.

A carpenter is absolutely the right tradesperson to build a beautiful, sturdy deck for you. Depending on what you're picturing for the finished product, however, you might want to look at bringing in both a rough carpenter and a finishing carpenter.

Rough carpenters are experts at putting in the proper foundation to make your deck safe and secure, as well as grading the ground below and ensuring adequate drainage. They'll also be the best people to advise on what types of materials the structure of your deck should be made of, including foundation, stairs, and railings.

It’s important to note here that in most municipalities, you’ll need a permit to build a deck. Your carpenter will need to be licensed to have the expertise and certification to apply for the proper licenses.

Once the structure of your deck is complete, a finish carpenter can give your project a different level of polish and aesthetic appeal, putting that final touch onto your new deck.

If your vision of your new deck involves built-in seating or an outdoor kitchen, a finish carpenter will also be the best tradesperson to help you bring your unique space to life.

Many rough carpenters are very skilled at finishing, and others don’t prefer to do finishing work, so it’s worth it to ask upfront.

Licensing for carpenters can be complicated. Not everyone who refers to themselves as a carpenter is a licensed carpenter, handypersons often do carpentry work. Only some states require carpenters to be licensed for specific types of work.

In many cases, licensing is required in order to ensure that a carpenter has an adequate level of knowledge and experience. There are plenty of unlicensed carpenters with a wealth of experience and talent, but the licensing process is a way for employers and clients to feel secure that a tradesperson has a standardized level of knowledge and experience. Most licensing programs require four years of work experience and the passing of a certification exam.

Below, we’ll go through some common questions and misconceptions to help you untangle the licensing web.

States that require carpenters to have licenses

Alabama, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah have state-level requirements for carpenters to be licensed to do certain types of carpentry work. While each state has its own list, some common types of carpentry often require licenses:

  • Millwork
  • Framing
  • Structural work
  • Cabinetry
  • Installing metal studs or framing

When can you hire a carpenter that does not have a license?

In some cases, lighter carpentry work on non-structural areas of a home doesn’t require a carpenter to carry a license. This may also mean they don’t have the proper workplace insurance, so make sure to ask those questions and weigh the risks accordingly.

Locations that fall outside city or municipal regions may have fewer restrictions on building permits. If you’re confident, you can have a non-licensed carpenter do structural work. This varies by location, so research the rules that cover your property before agreeing to have any work done.

Carpenters are integral to the home-building process, and their various areas of expertise are what allow the vision of a home designer or structural engineer to go from vision to reality.

If you’re unfamiliar with the home-building process, you may be surprised at first to learn that, in many cases, one carpenter does not handle the entire process. Particularly on large or complex projects, you’re likely to have several different types of carpentry experts. Beginning with rough carpentry to create the foundation and structure of your home, you’ll bring in framing carpenters for the exterior and interior walls, joint carpenters, roofing carpenters, and finish carpenters and cabinetmakers.

Depending on your location, finding the right carpenters near you can be simple, or you may have to look at bringing in the right pro from a larger city or town.

Other trades will need to work alongside carpenters during the building process. Homes are built in many layers and stages, so you can expect to have several trades working simultaneously at certain times.

Here’s a list of other trades you’ll need to build a house:

  • Machine operator
  • Electrician
  • Plumber
  • Gasfitter
  • Drywaller
  • Septic installer

Recent reviews for Ann Arbor Carpenters

18771

Ken and his son came to my home over the past several months to work on multiple projects for a large kitchen re-do we had underway. Not only did they do a beautiful job with every project (painting, drywall install /repair )but they were great people to...

- Sandra Orsucci
36365

Ken replaced rotten wood on our deck and reinforced a stair post. He was punctual, did a fine job, and is a pleasant person. Fee was very reasonable. I would hire again.

- J Healy
94682

Hired Knr to install my new kitchen cabinets. I gave decent rating for punctuality to start job, otherwise it would have been zero stars. Very dissatisfied with the service and the attention to detail. Some of the problems: -made unnecessary holes in th...

- Peter Vlahos
25985

I like both men very nice did very good work on a hard job THANK YOU VERY MUCH

- Debbie Armstrong
32340

Update from my original review-can't say enough about our installer Brian, just a great guy and apologized for missing us a few days ago, apparently they have a lot of customer projects pending right now Can't say enough about Brian, we're planning to us...

- John Jackson
93407

Poor value. Not responsive in communication. Late to appointment.

No response from them at all.

- Jim H
79759

Brad did an awesome job. Quick response and job done quickly and great.

- Sue Collins-Kael
144130

I worked for the owner Jake for 2 weeks. I never have worked for someone that disrespect their employees. He have you work 10 hours with only a 30 minute lunch. He provide no 15 minute breaks for restroom or to catch your breath. Employees work in hazardo...

- Stanley Longstreet
83165

Hired New Life for custom job. Porch railing installed with custom exterior columns added to front porch. Also performed finished trim work. Will be hiring for updating to craftsman style trim for interior and additional custom finish work for kitchen ...

- DANIEL CLAIR
328878

Jake ordered 3 times the amount of siding that I needed, Jake also DID NOT pick up a hammer at all on my job but came to the site only to pick up a check........leaving all the managing on my project to his employees. Jake collected 38K and then abandon...

- Anne McCulloch
144134

I work for Jake for 2 weeks. I never worked with someone so disrespectful to there employees. Jake work his employees 10 hours with only a 30 minute lunch. There’s no 15 minutes break for restrooms, water or just a timeout. Jake have his employees work in...

- Stanley Longstreet

All Carpenters in Ann Arbor, MI

Porch Pro Headshot Alberts Paint & Drywall
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
(1)
"Project was drywall, paint, floor, hanging doors, and trim in a 1000+ sq ft of basement. We were extremely pleased with the craftsmanship as well as the efficiency and talent. We felt very comfortable having them in our home and were impressed by their hard work from day one. I just wish we had m...Read more about Alberts Paint & Drywall
"Project was drywall, paint, floor, hanging doors, and trim in a 1000+ sq ft of basement. We were extremely pleased with the craftsmanship as well as the efficiency and talent. We felt very comfortable having them in our home and were impressed by their hard work from day one. I just wish we had m...Read more about Alberts Paint & Drywall
Porch Pro Headshot Disaster Recovery Team
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
Drywall repairs are fast and efficient when you call Service Team of Professionals East MI. in Wayne, Michigan for assistance.
100% response rate
Drywall repairs are fast and efficient when you call Service Team of Professionals East MI. in Wayne, Michigan for assistance.
Porch Pro Headshot Ali Shebley
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
Experienced licensed Builders. Former firefighter. Certified Home depot Contractor. Google guaranteed & screened Contractor five star reviews on many platform
Experienced licensed Builders. Former firefighter. Certified Home depot Contractor. Google guaranteed & screened Contractor five star reviews on many platform
Porch Pro Headshot Brian Family Construction LLC
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
(8)
Brian Family Construction Specializes in Home Remodeling, Handyman Services, And Finish Carpentry
Brian Family Construction Specializes in Home Remodeling, Handyman Services, And Finish Carpentry
Porch Pro Headshot TBC Construction
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
Masters of consistency and quality
100% response rate
Masters of consistency and quality
Porch Pro Headshot D&D Contracting LLC
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
Porch Pro Headshot John's Home Improvement
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
Porch Pro Headshot Tipzyworks
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
Porch Pro Headshot Mid-Michigan Cabinet & Trim
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
At Mid-Michigan Cabinet & Trim, our main goal is to provide our customers with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship, at the lowest possible cost. Complete customer satisfaction is our goal. In 24 years and thousands of past customers, we are proud of the fact that we have NEVER had a di...Read more about Mid-Michigan Cabinet & Trim
At Mid-Michigan Cabinet & Trim, our main goal is to provide our customers with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship, at the lowest possible cost. Complete customer satisfaction is our goal. In 24 years and thousands of past customers, we are proud of the fact that we have NEVER had a di...Read more about Mid-Michigan Cabinet & Trim
Porch Pro Headshot Ground🆙Construction
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
Porch Pro Headshot Dkd Remodeling
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
From new/patch roof's to finishing your basement. We can do it all.
From new/patch roof's to finishing your basement. We can do it all.
Porch Pro Headshot Detroit remodelling service
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
Porch Pro Headshot SIS CONTRACTING
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan
Porch Pro Headshot Great Lakes Woodworks
Carpenters
Serves Ann Arbor, Michigan

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