What Types Of Jobs Do Carpenters Do?

What Types Of Jobs Do Carpenters Do?

Are you considering getting into carpentry? Or perhaps you have recently finished training and want to know more about what to expect as you enter into your new career. When we hear the word carpenter, many of us instantly think of working with wood but there’s a lot more to this job than simply hammering a few bits of stock together. So it begs the question; what types of jobs do carpenters do?

A carpenter uses natural materials to create wooden structures and fittings. This is considered to be one of the oldest trade jobs and does require a good amount of skill. However, carpenters aren’t just confined to a small workshop; many people in the trade work on large construction sites, often managing projects.

It is also possible for a carpenter to work as a freelancer or self employed contractor, giving them the option to choose versatile and interesting jobs. In any case, being a carpenter is a hugely rewarding and often enjoyable job. You certainly have to have a passion for your work and this is often what drives people to achieve their dreams.

What Are The Main Duties Of A Carpenter?

Carpenters have a very interesting day to day work life and there are a lot of different tasks that need to be completed each day. There are aspects of planning, decision making, manual and skilled work as well as interacting with people and management, depending on your job role. Below is a list of some of the most common carpenter duties.

Communicating with a wider construction team.
Working with designers and planning consultants on a variety of construction projects.
Choosing appropriate materials in line with design specifications.
Taking measurements of building spaces and materials.
Sourcing and ordering materials.
Interacting with clients and meeting their needs.
Creating and using fixtures such as locks, handles, railings and more.
Assembling skirting boards, window frames, staircases, floorboards, cabinetry, fitted furnishings, shelving and other items.
Shuttering for concrete.
Working on large scale construction projects such as frames for ships, buildings, bridges and more.
Intricate work and fine furniture making.
Refurbishing and repairing existing work including the replacement of wood flooring, decking and trims.
Regular use of power tools, safely and effectively.

What Is The Most Important Skill In Carpentry?

There are a lot of skills that you will need to be a successful carpenter and no single one is more important than the next. The most competent carpenters will combine their skill set to create a powerful and effective approach to their work.

One of the many important skills you will need is good physical ability and strength. This is a physically demanding job which may involve lifting heavy materials and tools. Moreover, you will need good hand to eye coordination and excellent dexterity.

But a carpenter will also need to have brilliant communication skills especially when working on larger projects with a big team. Everyone has their individual job but each person needs to align their work so that it fits in with the rest of the project. As a carpenter, you should be able to effectively communicate your requirements and be able to clearly discuss your plans as well as having a good ear to listen to other team members. Basic computer skills, good customer service and effective time management can all go a long way in ensuring that the job gets done on time and correctly.

A carpenter should have a keen eye for detail and must be able to meet planning requirements perfectly. You should have a good knowledge of building regulations and on site policies to ensure that your work always meets these standards.

What Do Carpenters Do On A Daily Basis?

Carpenters perform a vast number of jobs on a daily basis and each working day may be different from the next. Generally speaking, you will be constructing and repairing wooden structures which might include things like door frames, skirting boards, furniture, stairways and more, depending on what sector you are working in.

It is also not uncommon for a carpenter to install or repair drywall and siding; more important skills for this type of tradesperson to learn. Moreover, a lot of carpenters will also design their own projects including kitchen cabinets, industrial work, furniture and flooring, among other things.

If you are working in project management, your day to day tasks will involve organising a larger team of people as well as planning resources and finances. Carpenters working at a project management level may also be expected to plan out key milestones within a project and communicate these with clients or higher management.

Is Carpentry The Hardest Trade?

According to research, demolition and roofing are considered to be the hardest trades in terms of being physically demanding. But carpentry didn’t fall far behind this, coming in third when it comes to physical demand.

But of course, carpentry also requires you to have intricate skills that can take years to master and this puts it up there with one of the most difficult trades to learn. While there is no legal requirement to have formal qualifications, master carpenters spend huge amounts of time perfecting their craft. What’s most impressive is that, with vast experience and skill, these carpenters can earn in excess of £60,000 a year, perfectly demonstrating how difficult it is to get to this level.

Conclusion

Being a carpenter is an exceptionally interesting job that will involve a lot of different day to day tasks. It takes a special someone to be able to master everything needed to do the job well but once you have perfected your skill set, there are a plethora of possibilities.

From being a self employed contractor to working on huge industrial projects and even going into areas like project management, being a carpenter is so much more than first meets the eye.