How to work out how much a carpenter should charge per hour
Carpenters are skilled tradesmen able to take on a wide variety of woodworking projects. From fitting a wooden door to installing a bespoke staircase, there are many times you may need to call on a local carpenter. A question often asked is how much will this work or project cost me, and what do carpenters charge per hour?
Hourly Charging Carpentry Services
A number of factors come into play when you need to hire a local carpenter. It’s such a broad area that are different types of woodworking and joinery experts. For some jobs, such as working on older properties and listed buildings, you may need a specialist with experience and bespoke tools. Some larger projects, such as formwork, structural work and roofing, will need different skills and potential a team of tradesmen.
The question of what do carpenters charge per hour isn’t a simple one to answer as some may charge for the completion of a project regardless of the time it takes. For cabinet repair and fine woodworking expect to pay around £30 an hour including VAT. Costs may be higher if items of furniture have to be removed and taken to a workshop. Specialist materials, such as rare hardwoods, can also increase the price.
Evaluating Local Carpentry Quotes
It’s reasonable to approach different local carpenters for quotes for a larger project, but don’t try to haggle prices or play one off against the other. Everyone has to make a living, and if you pay a fair price you’ll get a local carpenter you can trust to work to a high standard. Focussing on price too much can result in poor workmanship or taking on a tradesman who lacks the right experience. Even a reputable local carpenter may be forced to cut corners or use sub-standard materials if you try to manage costs too tightly. So it’s not just about what do carpenters charge per hour, you need to consider the quality of work.
Some tradesmen charge day rates rather than hourly and this is a good way to assess what the approximate cost of a home upgrade project could cost. Rates vary by region of the UK with London being the highest but expect to pay around £160-£240 for an experienced local carpenter. For heavy work, a general labourer may also be required and this could add another £100-£160 a day.
To find approved local carpenters in your area search the Registered database today.