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 Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia - Arlington to Haymarket
Home Improvement Professionals. Reliable and personable home service professionals can be hard to find these days, but Mr. Handyman makes it easy. Our experienced craftsmen are trained experts and can help with a variety of services. Whether you need help installing drywall in your home, or repairi...Read more about Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia - Arlington to Haymarket
Home Improvement Professionals. Reliable and personable home service professionals can be hard to find these days, but Mr. Handyman makes it easy. Our experienced craftsmen are trained experts and can help with a variety of services. Whether you need help installing drywall in your home, or repairi...Read more about Mr. Handyman of Northern Virginia - Arlington to Haymarket
Porch Pro Headshot All American Painting Plus, Inc.
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
(660)
Looking to paint your Wilson-Conococheague property but unsure how to go about it? Hire the professionals at All American Painting Plus in Wilson-Conococheague, MD for one of the best services in town.
Looking to paint your Wilson-Conococheague property but unsure how to go about it? Hire the professionals at All American Painting Plus in Wilson-Conococheague, MD for one of the best services in town.
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 RENOVATIONS AND DESIGNS
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
(39)
High-quality window replacement services are just a call away. Contact the 5-star-rated RENOVATIONS AND DESIGNS in Linthicum, MD when you need your old windows replaced.
High-quality window replacement services are just a call away. Contact the 5-star-rated RENOVATIONS AND DESIGNS in Linthicum, MD when you need your old windows replaced.
Porch Pro Headshot monster home improvement
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
(14)
Monster home improvement in Chevy Chase (Unincorporated), MD provides quality drywall repairs every time.
Monster home improvement in Chevy Chase (Unincorporated), MD provides quality drywall repairs every time.
Porch Pro Headshot Walter's Painting & Handyman Services
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
(10)
Proudly showcase your home after hours with soothing lighting solutions from Walter's Painting & Handyman Services in Friendly, MD.
Proudly showcase your home after hours with soothing lighting solutions 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 TheWindowMan.com
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
(26)
Make sure your windows are functioning properly all year long with repair services from TheWindowMan.com in Calvert Beach, MD.
Make sure your windows are functioning properly all year long with repair services from TheWindowMan.com in Calvert Beach, MD.
Porch Pro Headshot GraniTech Inc.
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
Accent your landscape design with thoughtfully placed outdoor lighting from GraniTech Inc. in the California, MD area.
Accent your landscape design with thoughtfully placed outdoor lighting from GraniTech Inc. in the California, MD area.
Porch Pro Headshot Adams Custom Services  LLC.
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
Not sure where the unwanted draft is coming from? Let the window repair professionals at Adams Custom Services LLC. in Bakersville take a look at your windows.
Not sure where the unwanted draft is coming from? Let the window repair professionals at Adams Custom Services LLC. in Bakersville take a look at your windows.
Porch Pro Headshot Finish Carpenter LLC
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
Finish carpenter LLC
Finish carpenter LLC
Porch Pro Headshot Apex Construction Services LLC
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
(1)
Apex Construction Services LLC in Queen Anne (Prince George's County), MD is a 5-star-rated company that offers a variety of painting services for you to choose from.
Apex Construction Services LLC in Queen Anne (Prince George's County), MD is a 5-star-rated company that offers a variety of painting services for you to choose from.
Porch Pro Headshot Optimum roofing and construction
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
Fast, friendly, and fully functional, our professional Construction Company is well renowned throughout the Montgomery County area. Our team is up for every job, managing projects with the skill and experience our clients have come to expect. We always stand behind our work, with customer satisfacti...Read more about Optimum roofing and construction
Fast, friendly, and fully functional, our professional Construction Company is well renowned throughout the Montgomery County area. Our team is up for every job, managing projects with the skill and experience our clients have come to expect. We always stand behind our work, with customer satisfacti...Read more about Optimum roofing and construction
Porch Pro Headshot FHS Construction Inc
Serves Ashburn, Virginia
Check out our website for more information about our expertise and previous projects. For serious inquiries: Email: Fhsconcrete@gmail.com Phone Number: 240-417-6207
Check out our website for more information about our expertise and previous projects. For serious inquiries: Email: Fhsconcrete@gmail.com Phone Number: 240-417-6207
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

433130

Did not show up for appointment

- Paul Jackowski
78678

I had an out door living space created by this company They did an amazing job. They took my initial ideas and just exceeded my expectations. The time line was on point and the team effort was great. Everything from the deck and pergola to the patio and p...

- Tim Blevins
78641

My wife and I had our Washington DC property renovated by 305 Building Luxury. We have a row house located int he NE side of town, when we bought the property it was in bad shape. We hired this company and from the initial meeting to the completion it was...

- Billy Bland
435519

Great company with an amazing staff. Our bathroom looks fantastic!! What a difference our newly finished basement looks. We couldn't be more pleased. Thank You Guys

- Renovations and Designs
78789

We have a commercial building in Washington DC area in the NW section. We had 305 Building Luxury renovate the entire 4 story space. On the bottom level (stree view) we incorporated commercial space. On the other levels we had them rezone for residential ...

- Kelly Hansen
125491

Our experience with Renovations and Designs has been a grateful one over the past few years so much so that we (GOTHAM CITY DEVELOPMENTS) have now become partners with them. Together we have completed projects through out Washington DC, residentially as w...

- Wayne VH
78684

305 Building Luxury Provided us with serveral services for our row house renovation in the North East part of Washington DC on D St. We are actually once of the featured projects they have in their profile. Basically they preformed a complete tear down an...

- ACS Electric
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

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