Top 10 Carpenters in Wellesley, MA
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 Wellesley Carpenters
I have used Peoples Construction for about 8 years and have experienced great service each time. Kevin is owner of the company will go beyond to make sure you are satisfied with the job, no matter how big or small. I give this company a 5 star rating. ...
Peoples construction was the cleanest, neatest contactors i’ve ever used. They were always Insightful and nice to work with no matter what may be going on. Kev the owner had a great personality and would always make you laugh while staying professional as...
I HAVE BEEN DOING BUSINESS WITH PEOPLES CONSTRUCTION FOR ABOUT 7 YEARS NOW. HE HAS DONE ALL SORTS OF PROJECTS ON MY 5 FAMILY HOME. HE HAS DONE A KITCHEN , A PANTRY, 2 BATHROOMS, A MAJOR PROJECT OF TOTALLY REPLACING 5 PORCHES AND A FINISHED ENTRANCE. HE H...
My husband got Kevin's info from Jeff at Douglas. Kevin came out on a Monday and told my husband he would call in a day or two with an estimate. Didn't hear so my husband called him twice and he didn't even have the consideration or decency to call back...
My bathroom was completed by People's Construction, Kevin did an great job, was understanding and willing to explain the project as it was being completed. He was accurate on his time frame, and the project was completed under budget. I am very happy with...
Kevin with thego2guys preformed painting and handyman work. I found him to be honest and very helpful with my project. He did a great job painting of my living room and hallway. I had 3 good size holes in the wall from the movers moving a pool table in to...
I had to have my black storm door painted white. "It's a condo thing". Kevin did a great job, and was very professional and friendly. I would recommend him for any job needed.
Excellent responsiveness in communication. Excellent work quality. Excellent value.
wonderful, quality work, thoughtful and kind
Fantastic company, professional, reliable, honest, hardworking. Installed me fence in just a few days. It came out perfect. Would recommend them to anyone.
He painted our house about a month ago and I couldn’t be happier enough. Highly recommend!
They installed the hood but did some patch work on ceiling and left it unfinished. Its been few weeks later and they continue to be unresponsive. If you do use them, please do not pay in full until work order is complete. The concerns were escalated with ...
Carlos showed up on time and went to work immediately on my shed. They seem to know what they're doing and the work is progressing rapidly. I have confidence in their ability and would hire them anytime. Thank you. John.
Everything You Need to Know About Wellesley Carpenters
Does the carpenter I want to hire need to be licensed in Wellesley?
Before you start any project, it is crucial to learn about the certifications and licenses that you or your Carpenter need to have. There are 0 carpenters in Wellesley that are licensed.
Here are the types of license(s) Carpenters need to have to work on Carpentry Services jobs in MA:
- Accreditations/License: Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
How do I know I am getting a fair price for Carpentry Services work in Wellesley?
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 Wellesley work from Carpentersbelow:
- Talk to a few different Carpenters and ask for quotes to compare. We have around 50 professionals and companies in Wellesley 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.
Will Carpentry Services work in Wellesley require permits, inspections, special licenses, etc.?
Whether you’re carpenter job is in Wellesley or any other city, you're going to want to do a bit of research before hiring carpenters. Even small jobs may have certain regulations around them. Often, the carpenter performing the work will have any required permits, inspections, etc. under control, but not always. Short answer: Research yourself and double check with the carpentry services folks that everything is in order.
All Carpenters in Wellesley, MA
Latest projects near Wellesley
Within 48 hours
Repair, maintenance or refinishing
NEW BANISTERS , STAIR BOARDS AND BASEBOARDS ROTTING , ALSO A BULKHEAD DOOR FOR HOUSE.
NEW BANISTERS , STAIR BOARDS AND BASEBOARDS ROTTING , ALSO A BULKHEAD DOOR FOR HOUSE.
NEW BANISTERS , STAIR BOARDS AND BASEBOARDS ROTTING , ALSO A BULKHEAD DOOR FOR HOUSE.
Within a month
Build new deck
No, but I know what I want.
Smaller than 100 square feet
Composite
Looking for advice
Custom stairs
BBQ
No, pro must provide the materials
Within 48 hours
Repair deck
Stairs, Railings, Structural components
Cracked, broken, or missing boards
What to add one pole to support the back stair. The front porch step need to remove or repair the rotted wood. May need new step.
Wood
Wood
Yes
Stairs
Yes, I have design plans
No, pro must provide materials
No
Shed Construction
Within a month
Within 48 hours
Yes
Under 100 sq ft
Pressure-treated pine
Multi-level deck, Stairs
No, thanks, just the deck
No
Within a week
Door installation
Install
Single
Interior
1
No
Yes