Find a carpenter near you

Tell us what you need and we'll try matching you with available pros
Or call us at: (800) 604-2454

Top carpenters near you

Porch Pro Headshot Phoenix Home Services Inc
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
(82)
We are Northern Virginia's premier home improvement contractors. With over 30 years of experience and an exceptional team of designers, master masons, and professional carpenters we are equipped to handle everything from patios to screen rooms and from decks to additions. FREE, no-obligation, in-hom...Read more about Phoenix Home Services Inc
We are Northern Virginia's premier home improvement contractors. With over 30 years of experience and an exceptional team of designers, master masons, and professional carpenters we are equipped to handle everything from patios to screen rooms and from decks to additions. FREE, no-obligation, in-hom...Read more about Phoenix Home Services Inc
Porch Pro Headshot Matson Construction LLC
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
(61)
Thank you for your interest in Matson Construction LLC. We are a trim carpentry company specializing in crown moulding, door installation, wainscoting, mantles, built in furniture, built in entertainment centers, built in fireplace surrounds, custom closets and built in custom cabinets and shelving....Read more about Matson Construction LLC
Thank you for your interest in Matson Construction LLC. We are a trim carpentry company specializing in crown moulding, door installation, wainscoting, mantles, built in furniture, built in entertainment centers, built in fireplace surrounds, custom closets and built in custom cabinets and shelving....Read more about Matson Construction LLC
Porch Pro Headshot Geotek Construction & Design
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
(72)
Geotek is a professional general contractor that provides a personal service to its Northern Virginia clients. The company is committed to the consistent delivery of performance excellence, within budget and on time. It's easy to be mediocre. The challenge is to be exceptional on every project we ...Read more about Geotek Construction & Design
Geotek is a professional general contractor that provides a personal service to its Northern Virginia clients. The company is committed to the consistent delivery of performance excellence, within budget and on time. It's easy to be mediocre. The challenge is to be exceptional on every project we ...Read more about Geotek Construction & Design
Porch Pro Headshot AffordaPro LLC
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
(32)
The 5-star-rated AffordaPro LLC in Clear Spring, MD is here for you when you need professional and long-lasting painting services.
The 5-star-rated AffordaPro LLC in Clear Spring, MD is here for you when you need professional and long-lasting painting services.
Porch Pro Headshot monster home improvement
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
(14)
Drywall holes and dents are unsightly and ruin your home. Get them fixed with monster home improvement who serve in North Bethesda, MD.
Drywall holes and dents are unsightly and ruin your home. Get them fixed with monster home improvement who serve in North Bethesda, MD.
Porch Pro Headshot Walter's Painting & Handyman Services
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
(10)
Entertain company at night in well-lit elegance with the lighting specialists from Walter's Painting & Handyman Services in Friendly, MD.
Entertain company at night in well-lit elegance with the lighting specialists from Walter's Painting & Handyman Services in Friendly, MD.
Porch Pro Headshot PATTERSON'S HOME Inspections
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
Hello, My name is Lawrence Patterson I am 34 years old and I've been in business for four years. I own and run a reliable Home Inspection business I am a very reasonable,dependable and thorough in all my work I do. I also do handyman services and small jobs including landscaping, some construction, ...Read more about PATTERSON'S HOME Inspections
Hello, My name is Lawrence Patterson I am 34 years old and I've been in business for four years. I own and run a reliable Home Inspection business I am a very reasonable,dependable and thorough in all my work I do. I also do handyman services and small jobs including landscaping, some construction, ...Read more about PATTERSON'S HOME Inspections
Porch Pro Headshot A+ Best Services Deck Resurfacing and Restoration
Complete Power Washing & Deck Restoration & Deck Resurfacing Trex and more. REASONABLE PRICES!! 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Absolutely The Best!! All Northern Virginia!!
Complete Power Washing & Deck Restoration & Deck Resurfacing Trex and more. REASONABLE PRICES!! 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Absolutely The Best!! All Northern Virginia!!
Porch Pro Headshot TheWindowMan.com
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
(26)
Save money by having your old, leaky windows repaired by the experts at TheWindowMan.com in Wilson-Conococheague.
Save money by having your old, leaky windows repaired by the experts at TheWindowMan.com in Wilson-Conococheague.
Porch Pro Headshot GraniTech Inc.
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
For an outdoor lighting company with fast service, knowledgeable technicians, and superior customer service, contact GraniTech Inc. in California.
For an outdoor lighting company with fast service, knowledgeable technicians, and superior customer service, contact GraniTech Inc. in California.
Porch Pro Headshot Passarelli Remodeling LLC
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
(4)
Save money by having your old leaky windows repaired by the professional window professionals at Passarelli Remodeling LLC in Wilson-Conococheague.
Save money by having your old leaky windows repaired by the professional window professionals at Passarelli Remodeling LLC in Wilson-Conococheague.
Porch Pro Headshot Adams Custom Services  LLC.
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
Take care of your window problems in one fell swoop with some help from the experts at Adams Custom Services LLC. in Bakersville, MD.
Take care of your window problems in one fell swoop with some help from the experts at Adams Custom Services LLC. in Bakersville, MD.
Porch Pro Headshot Apex Construction Services LLC
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
(1)
Apex Construction Services LLC in the Glen Echo, MD area is a 5-star-rated company that offers a variety of painting services for you to choose from.
Apex Construction Services LLC in the Glen Echo, MD area is a 5-star-rated company that offers a variety of painting services for you to choose from.
Porch Pro Headshot Cesar Aldana
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
Porch Pro Headshot F and R Plumbing and Home Services
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
Porch Pro Headshot GAP RESTORATION LLC
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
Porch Pro Headshot Land Custom Carpentry
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
Specializing in Built-Ins, Bookcases, Closets and other custom cabinetry
Specializing in Built-Ins, Bookcases, Closets and other custom cabinetry

Where do you need carpenters?

Give us a few details and we can match you
Or call us at: (800) 604-2454

Frequently asked questions about carpenters

What is a carpenter?

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.

What questions should I ask a carpenter?

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.

Are builders and carpenters the same thing?

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.

Can a carpenter build a deck?

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.

Does a carpenter need a license?

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.

Can a carpenter build a house?

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 General Contractors

91090

The only positive thing I can say about them is they were on time. The owner Charles Vechery is a very mean and scary person and I unfortunately found that out after I hired him. His work was deplorable and unacceptable. He charged way too much money ...

- Annette Crisafi
10365

AffordaPro helped prepare my house to sell. They know how to economically make improvements and repairs and do them right! They helped me pick paint colors, did the work quickly and expertly and were polite and professional throughout the process. I wi...

- Dan Boughton
168852

Phoenix assisted us with electrical work regarding a chandelier and wall sconce rewiring/installation. The electricians arrived early, were polite, and finished in under 2 hours! We'll be using them for an upcoming deck project, and we're sure we'll find ...

- Kate Haskell
168853

We recently had Phoenix install a deck for us and we could not be happier with the finished result. The lead designer Clint came up with a beautiful deck design that made the most of our backyard's sloped topography and allowed us to visualize it with a 3...

- David Son
126072

I had an outdated bathroom that needed to be renovated. Geotek had a great price, and did great work.

- Noel Austin
44606

These guys rock and can do it all. They remodeled my bathroom, kitchen, installed hardwood floors, and also built us an amazing patio with fire pit. Very exquisite work.

- Caleb Travios
33186

Great Service, Great Quality and Outstanding Professionalism.

- Ricardo Serrano
32614

They called us and setup an appointment for estimate, but never showed up or called again.

- john fiess
33168

Walter`s painting did an excellent job in my house, I paint my daughter's room and I was beautiful. I give it 5 stars

- Julissa Escobar
61948

I cannot say enough good things about Nadine and Apex Construction Services. She, Joel and Michael are top notch professionals. I initially contacted Apex for an estimate to paint all the rooms in my house, and she was just about the lowest estimate out...

- Jan Phillips
67758

I hired him for several handyman jobs, he has done a great job. He know what he is is doing.

- Samira Atashjoo
71020

We had posts and the underside of our deck stained. Work was scheduled and completed in a timely manner and they did a great job cleaning up after they were finished. We were very happy with the work completed by A+ Best Services. We will use them agai...

- Dave Preaseau

Why use Porch?

Quotes for big projects
Compare pro reviews, licenses, and quotes so you can find the local company that works for you.
We do the small stuff
Porch Services can do lots of work for you directly. Easy to book, prices are fixed and upfront.
Text or call us if you need help
We have a knowledgeable staff ready to help with tips and advice along the way.

Top cities for carpenters