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

Everything You Need to Know About Pahoa Carpenters

Carpentry Services isn’t exactly what I’m looking for. Are there more specific services similar to carpenters available in Pahoa?

If you’ve determined that carpentry services are not quite what you were looking for, or if you had a specific project in mind that is similar to carpentry services, we can still help you find the right professional in Pahoa.

Pahoa has 27 carpenter professionals that can help you with your carpentry services job. Head to our Pros Page to find specific carpenters-pros in Pahoa.

How do I know that I found the right Carpenter in Pahoa for my carpentry services project?

Finding the right carpenter for your project can be stressful.... when you don't search with Porch. We've pulled together everything you need to know about Carpentry Services in Pahoa so you can have some peace of mind before starting your project.

Here’s what you need to know to choose the right carpenter in Pahoa:

  • Are they properly licensed? Pahoa has 1 licensed Carpenters Pros.
  • Check if they are they BBB rated: 5 are A-rated in Pahoa.
  • Is the quality worth the price? Make sure to find the carpenter that can deliver the quality you're looking for, without going way over your budget. Don't forget that every job is going to be different.
  • Speak with them over the phone: Contact multiple carpenters pros to see if you’re on the same page when it comes to your project.

Who are the best Carpenters in Pahoa?

We've found 27 carpenter providers that are available to you in Pahoa.

Keep in mind that every project has different requirements, and some carpenter professionals maybe be more equipped to handle the specifications of your carpentry services work than others. Talk to multiple carpenters before deciding which one is right for you. You will want to consider how much they charge, if they are properly licensed for carpentry services work in Pahoa, and if your project is a fit. Here are some suggested professionals and companies to get you started:

  • All Types Of Remodel
    • Location: Pahoa
  • Brothers Custom Woodworks
    • Location: Pahoa
  • CABINETRY & COUNTERTOPS-BROCK
    • Location: Pahoa

Latest projects near Pahoa

Recent projects booked on Porch
Pahoa 96778
Deck Construction
Start Date
Within a month
Service requested
Replace deck
Deck removed
Yes, the deck has been removed
Plans, drawings, blueprints
No, I would like a professional opinion
Deck size (SQFT)
100 to 250 square feet
Surface and railing material
I'd like a professional recommendation, Wood
Structure material
Wood
Structural features
Not listed here
Supplemental features
Something else
Materials included
No, pro must provide materials