Top 10 Carpenters in Auburn, WA
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 Auburn Carpenters
We hired them to replace our siding. They took the deposit, made a huge mess, then stopped showing up. Lots of drama about alcohol, break ups and personal problems, but never able to complete and refused to refund our money. We had to sue and file complai...
Was a pleasure doing business with great workmanship and excellent customer service
The team at Envision was always available to answer any questions I had and provided regular updates on the progress of the renovation. This level of communication helped to ease any concerns I had and gave me peace of mind knowing that my project was in ...
I needed a house to paint and it and it wasn't an easy house. Very difficult access. But I was surprised how efficiently (BlackStar manager) Alex Zhelez managed the project. Overall what I though would be a headache and take a couple of weeks took him onl...
Clean, On Time, VERY Communicative, Honest, Reasonable prices, I worked with Alex Zhelez (the project manager) and it was one hassle-free experience.HE is definitely a Pro and he has a lot of connections with other Pros. I had no problem trusting him with...
Tom’s expertise & experience in planning, building & finishing our 8x8 covered cedar deck was nothing but exceptional! Tom worked diligently for 4 days to complete our project on time. Solid workmanship with attention to detail. Tom’s prices are very reas...
vlad was able to install bamboo flooring in short notice. he worked quickly and professionally. he was also very accomodating to my schedule. will definitely work with him again!
Warren showed up on time, did an amazing job installing our new over the range microwave. And cleaned up. Definitely recommend him.
Absolutely awful experience with this company. We hired them to tear out a bathroom remodel I had started, and to reinstall a full tile shower. I had done a ton of reading prior to starting the work, and I made careless mistakes with measurements and tile...
Happy with their work. They were on time. They did the work in a good manner. Their staff were humble in manner and were soft spoken. I was really satisfied and would recommend others to have their work done by them.
Very professional and kind. Installed hardwood floors and baseboards through the house including the stairs. Very happy with the work and will hire again.
Everything You Need to Know About Auburn Carpenters
Should I hire carpenters with lower ratings in Auburn to save money?
The type of carpenter company that you should hire really depends on the difficulty and specifications of your project. Keep in mind that lower ratings could be a sign of unsuccessful jobs or simply that the professional or company has not done many jobs quite yet. Either way, you will still want to contact any Carpenters you are considering and inquire about their work history. There are plenty of great Carpenters in Auburn that have very few or low ratings.
For example, right now in Auburn there are:
How do I know I am getting a fair price for Carpentry Services work in Auburn?
Every Carpentry Services job has different requirements. Remember that the price will differ depending on the scope of your project. However, that doesn't mean you have to go in blind. Check out our tips for getting a fair price for Auburn work from Carpentersbelow:
- Talk to a few different Carpenters and ask for quotes to compare. We have around 50 professionals and companies in Auburn for you to compare.
- Before contacting a company, check out the ratings and reviews from previous customers to learn what others have paid, how long the Carpenters took on the job, and how satisfied they were.
How does invoicing/payment work for most Carpenter projects in Auburn?
Every project differs, but you should ask any carpenter for an estimate, before they do any work. In fact, ask for their general payment terms before any carpentry services work is done.
If the job is large and going to take longer than a day, it's common practice for carpenters to request a down payment. Usually, this will be around 25% so they can commence work on your carpenter project.
If it's a quick job, you'll likely be given an invoice/bill when the job is complete. Then it's up to you and the carpenter to determine if you pay immediately or can send payment at a later date.
All Carpenters in Auburn, WA
Latest projects near Auburn
Deck Repair
Within a week
Within a week
No
100-250 sq ft
I'm not sure
Disability access
No, thanks, just the deck
No
I'm flexible
Replace deck
No, but it will be before work begins
No, I would like a professional opinion
100 to 250 square feet
I'd like a professional recommendation
I'd like a professional recommendation
Not listed here
Something else
No, pro must provide materials
Door Replacement
Within a month
Carpentry
Within a week
Deck Construction
I'm flexible
Shed Construction
Within a month