What is a carpenter ?

A carpenter is a craftworker who constructs, installs and repairs frameworks of wood and other building materials such as brick and concrete. They can work on a variety of projects, from buildings and bridges to kitchen tables. Carpenters often specialise in making a certain type of structure. For example, some build and install cabinets, while others work in the restoration of older architecture, and many work in building skeletal frames for buildings.

What are the job duties of a carpenter ?

The primary job duty of a carpenter is to create structures from wood. Their work relies on collaboration with clients and other craftworkers to produce a finished product. Other job responsibilities include:

• Designing blueprints of frameworks
• Cutting and shaping building materials
• Inspecting building materials to ensure there are no defects
• Installing structures
• Using cranes and other machines to place frameworks for buildings and large structures
• Communicating with construction workers to collaborate on building projects
• Meeting with clients to review project plans
• Educating clients of building materials
• Repairing frameworks and structures

What are carpenter skills ?

Carpenters are physical labourers, and they require these skills:

Stamina

Physical endurance helps carpenters lift heavy materials and use power tools. Carpenters may also need to stand for long periods while constructing a structure. Stamina is a skill that also enables them to work in various types of weather.

Dexterity

Carpenters work with their hands and require good hand-eye coordination. Dexterity helps them use tools with ease and work quickly even on projects with detail. This ability helps create beautiful structures such as cabinets and wardrobes.

Mathematical skills

Math skills are important for performing calculations and measuring building materials to fit blueprint specifications. Sometimes a carpenter needs to do quick math for calculations on the job site. Math skills are also helpful to determine the amount of material a project requires.

Problem resolution

The ability to troubleshoot and create solutions to issues that occur during the building process is useful to carpenters. Problem resolution can help meet client requests, correct mistakes and craft unique work. Problem-solving skills also help carpenters make adjustments while they work to manage situations such as weather or lack of resources.

Interpersonal skills

Interpersonal skills can foster relationships and help a carpenter grow the customer base and business. On larger-scale projects, interpersonal skills are necessary to facilitate collaboration with the construction crew. Abilities such as dependability, emotional intelligence and communication can strengthen credibility and lead to a successful career.

Communication

Strong communication skills are essential to carpenters because they speak with clients and labourers every day in order to perform their job. Communication with the client is important to ensure the carpenter can meet expectations. Carpenters also need to communicate effectively with coworkers to complete building tasks, such as laying foundations or installing large frameworks.

Attention to detail

Attention to detail is an important skill needed to ensure that a carpenter's work is accurate. In order for the materials to fit together, a carpenter has to make the correct measurements and cuts of their material. Attention to detail also helps follow protocol and adhere to building regulations as well as the desires of the client.

Types of carpentry

There are several specialities of carpentry that you can pursue. Here are types of carpentry and the work each entails:

Rough carpentry

Rough carpentry is a carpenter who works on structures such as buildings and bridges rather than in-home structures. Rough carpenters may plan and install structures for repairs or the initial building of the project. They build frames, fit rafters or poles together and cut and shape materials. Carpenters who do rough carpentry need to understand structural integrity and how to build structures that are cost-efficient. This is the most common type of carpentry.

Trim carpentry

Trim carpenters build and install trim and moulding to interior buildings. They may also craft other decorative pieces such as mantles, cornices, baseboards, and door frames. Trim carpenters can further specialise based on the type of material they prefer to use in their work. For example, green carpenters source their building materials using environmentally friendly methods, such as reducing waste.

Cabinet carpentry

Cabinet carpentry is a subcategory for carpenters who build cabinets and shelves. These carpenters work only with wood and typically build for private clients and their homes. They also create home furnishings such as tables, chairs, stools and bed frames.

Ship carpentry

Ship carpentry is the art of planning and building boats and ships. Usually, a ship carpenter creates a small replica of a ship for the approval of a client. Then they build the framework of the ship and help to give the vessel unique features. Ship carpenters can also make a career of building and selling miniature replicas of well-known ships.

Joister carpentry

Joister carpentry involves constructing floor joists, which are support structures to hold the floor and provide durability and stability. Often they also install floors over their joists. Most joisters work with wooden floors, but some may also create structures for different flooring materials.

Framing carpentry

Framing carpentry involves building housing frames and frameworks for commercial buildings. Framer carpenters are like rough carpenters, but are often contract workers and specialise in building frames. They build walls, floor joists and roofs for houses.

Roof carpentry

Roof carpentry is a speciality for carpenters who plan, build and install rafters and support beams for roofing. They also provide maintenance to roofs. This job requires knowledge of which materials to use to ensure a strong and durable structure.