How much will a carpenter cost?

The price that you pay a carpenter will vary greatly according to the size and type of the job. Most carpenters charge between £15 - £20 an hour for their work, although some will charge more if it is a particularly intricate piece of work, whereas others will charge less if you are employing them for a large job. You will have to pay for materials on top of this, although most will cover and include the cost of adhesives and use of their tools in the quote.

What should I check before I get the work carried out?

Before you hire a carpenter you should make sure that you get a number of different quotes to make sure that you pay an appropriate price for the work. In addition, make sure that you get all these quotes in writing, especially from the carpenter who you then choose for the job. Also ask each of these carpenters for their business license and local references.

If you are hiring a carpenter to carry out framing or do any substantial building work, then make sure you investigate to see if any city building permits should be obtained in order for the work to be carried out.

What questions should I ask the carpenter?

• What type of carpentry do you specialise in?
• Are you a member of the IOC, and if so what type of card do you have?
• Can I see your CSCS card?
• How long will the job take you?
• Will you use your own tools or will I have to rent extra ones?