Top 10 Carpenters in Olympia, 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 Olympia Carpenters
I have to admit Derek and Heather Peterson from Deluxe Woodworks did an amazing job from start to finish. Derek is a Master Craftsman who's eye for the attention to detail is remarkable. Deluxe Woodworks is now my contractor of choice. I Plan to use them...
Was a pleasure doing business with great workmanship and excellent customer service
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.
3 tiles installed broken. Grout cracking. Red sealant all over carpet and walls. Broke baseboards while re-installing. No response to fix after completion of job. Do not use!
Everything You Need to Know About Olympia Carpenters
Carpentry Services isn’t exactly what I’m looking for. Are there more specific services similar to carpenters available in Olympia?
If you’ve determined that carpentry services are not quite what you were looking for, or if you had a specific project in mind that is similar to carpentry services, we can still help you find the right professional in Olympia.
Olympia has 50 carpenter professionals that can help you with your carpentry services job. Head to our Pros Page to find specific carpenters-pros in Olympia.
I have Carpentry Services work that I need done in Olympia. What should my budget be?
Our data on recent carpenter projects in Olympia shows that larger carpentry services projects in city are often upwards of $0.00. However, this price depends on a number of factors. Cost can increase or decrease based on any/all of the following:
- Location: carpenters travel time may factor into the budget.
- Cost of materials. This is an important factor of your carpentry services project budget. You can purchase materials yourself, but remember that your carpenter professional maybe be able to leverage relationships with other companies to save on material costs.
- Company ratings: Highly-rated carpenters tend to be more expensive. Decide what balance between ratings and cost is right for you.
As always, every project is different and you should contact multiple carpenters throughout Olympia to ensure your project is done right.
How does invoicing/payment work for most Carpenter projects in Olympia?
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 Olympia, WA
Latest projects near Olympia
Carpentry
Within 48 hours
I'm flexible
Repair deck
Structural components, waterproof decking
Water damage
Minor
Waterproof polymer or epoxy membrane
Wood
Yes
Structural modifications, Refinish deck
Yes, I have design plans
No, pro must provide materials
No
Carpentry
Within 48 hours
Within a month
Install
Double
Interior
2
Yes
No
No
Within 48 hours
Repair deck
Structural components
Structural issues
Moderate
Wood
Wood
No
No, pro must provide materials
No
Within a week
Pressure-treated pine
Stairs and railings, Decking or deck surface
Warping or water damage
Moderate (the deck is potentially unsafe)
No
No, and I'd like the pro to provide them
Carpentry
I'm flexible
I'm flexible
I'm not sure
Decking or deck surface, Guardrails and balusters, Structural beams, joists or posts
Rotting, cracked or missing boards, Loose, wobbly or unstable
Minor (the deck just needs cosmetic repairs)
No
No, and I'd like the pro to provide them
Within a month
Looks like fir to me, not cedar or redwood
Guardrails and balusters
Warping or water damage, Rotting, cracked or missing boards
Moderate (the deck is potentially unsafe)
No
No, and I'd like the pro to provide them