Top 8 Carpenters in Traverse City, MI

Porch Pro Headshot CF Construction INC
Carpenters
Serves Traverse City, Michigan
(4)
I have over 30 years experience in residential and commercial construction. When you choose CF Construction you choose a company that prides its self on quality workmanship and my clients satisfaction. As owner of the company I oversee all projects personally and I am a hands on builder which mea...Read more about CF Construction INC
I have over 30 years experience in residential and commercial construction. When you choose CF Construction you choose a company that prides its self on quality workmanship and my clients satisfaction. As owner of the company I oversee all projects personally and I am a hands on builder which mea...Read more about CF Construction INC
Porch Pro Headshot Bud's Contracting LLC
Carpenters
Serves Traverse City, Michigan
(3)
We are a family owned and operated business in the Traverse City area. We specialize in all forms of home remodeling to include: decks, sheds, siding, roofs, kitchens, baths, flooring and misc. small projects. We offer a start-to-finish client experience that includes seamless communication, budget...Read more about Bud's Contracting LLC
We are a family owned and operated business in the Traverse City area. We specialize in all forms of home remodeling to include: decks, sheds, siding, roofs, kitchens, baths, flooring and misc. small projects. We offer a start-to-finish client experience that includes seamless communication, budget...Read more about Bud's Contracting LLC
Porch Pro Headshot Bell's Handyman Services
Carpenters
Serves Traverse City, Michigan
My name is James Bell. I am a local who has been working in the construction industry for over 35 years. I have knowledge and experience in every aspect of building a house from the ground up. No project is too big or small! I offer free estimates on the spot, so call me today to set up an ap...Read more about Bell's Handyman Services
My name is James Bell. I am a local who has been working in the construction industry for over 35 years. I have knowledge and experience in every aspect of building a house from the ground up. No project is too big or small! I offer free estimates on the spot, so call me today to set up an ap...Read more about Bell's Handyman Services
Porch Pro Headshot Biedron Builders
Carpenters
Serves Traverse City, Michigan
When it comes to New Home Construction, Custom Homes and Home Builder, no one compares to Biedron Builders. With years of combined experience, Biedron Builders has worked hard to build the trust of our clients in Traverse City, Suttons Bay and Glen Arbor and beyond. Visit our website to learn more. ...Read more about Biedron Builders
When it comes to New Home Construction, Custom Homes and Home Builder, no one compares to Biedron Builders. With years of combined experience, Biedron Builders has worked hard to build the trust of our clients in Traverse City, Suttons Bay and Glen Arbor and beyond. Visit our website to learn more. ...Read more about Biedron Builders
Porch Pro Headshot Kearns Construction Inc
Carpenters
Serves Traverse City, Michigan
(4)
Family owned and operated, serving the areas of northern Michigan. We specialize in all aspects of Residential Construction. Our primary goal is customer satisfaction.
Family owned and operated, serving the areas of northern Michigan. We specialize in all aspects of Residential Construction. Our primary goal is customer satisfaction.
Porch Pro Headshot @home Cabinetry & Interiors
Carpenters
Serves Traverse City, Michigan
(10)
Life is hectic. Uncontrollable. Racing everyday. What if you could close the outside world behind you? Unwind and relax within rooms tailored to perfectly suit you. Designed to express the unique spirit of your lifestyle.
Life is hectic. Uncontrollable. Racing everyday. What if you could close the outside world behind you? Unwind and relax within rooms tailored to perfectly suit you. Designed to express the unique spirit of your lifestyle.
Porch Pro Headshot J.A.C.K. Contracting LLC  - A Handyman Contracting Service
Carpenters
Serves Traverse City, Michigan
J.A.C.K. Contracting LLC is a Handyman Contractor for all Trades with emphasis on Electrical, and remodeling and Custom Painting along with spraying & Detailed stenciling, we install all fixtures in your bathroom and appliances in your kitchens. We can design any project with you or for you. (IF Y...Read more about J.A.C.K. Contracting LLC - A Handyman Contracting Service
100% response rate
J.A.C.K. Contracting LLC is a Handyman Contractor for all Trades with emphasis on Electrical, and remodeling and Custom Painting along with spraying & Detailed stenciling, we install all fixtures in your bathroom and appliances in your kitchens. We can design any project with you or for you. (IF Y...Read more about J.A.C.K. Contracting LLC - A Handyman Contracting Service
Porch Pro Headshot Northwest Carpentry LLC
Carpenters
Serves Traverse City, Michigan
(10)
By usingknowledge gained in the field on various types of construction projects combined with continuing education, Iunderstand what it takes to have a successful outcome on any size project.
By usingknowledge gained in the field on various types of construction projects combined with continuing education, Iunderstand what it takes to have a successful outcome on any size project.

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

Recent reviews for Traverse City Carpenters

226973

I have used Chad more than once for home remodels. He is meticulous, professional, and takes great pride in his work. He is very reliable and trustworthy. You will not be disappointed.

- Kim Diel
131841

Highly recommend Bud’s Contracting! We ran into several unforeseen issues during our bathroom remodel and John gave us great information & advice on how to proceed given the changing circumstances. Our bathroom remodel turned out more beautiful than we ha...

- Kaye Czerwinski
131165

What an amazing team! They have helped with numerous different projects we had and always deliver incredible work and pricing! I highly recommend Buds Contracting to anyone in need!

- Russell McCall
242960
242959

I have worked for steve for years, he lies, cheats, left me and my family unpaid over christmas break. I dont not ever recommend using northwest carpentry!!

- Dan Skrzypczak

Latest projects near Traverse City

Recent projects booked on Porch
Traverse City 49686
Deck Construction
Start Date
I'm flexible
Service requested
Build new deck
Plans, drawings, or blueprints
No, but I know what I want.
Deck size (SQFT)
100 to 250 square feet
Surface and railing material
Looking for advice
Deck structure material
Wood
Structural features
Disability access improvements
Supplemental additions
Built-in benches, planters, or storage
Material provided
No, pro must provide the materials
Traverse City 49686
Deck Construction
Start Date
Within a month
Service requested
Replace deck
Deck removed
No, pro should remove existing deck
Plans, drawings, blueprints
No, but I know what I want
Deck size (SQFT)
100 to 250 square feet
Surface and railing material
Composite
Structure material
Wood
Structural features
Not listed here
Supplemental features
Something else
Materials included
No, pro must provide materials
Traverse City 49686
Deck Construction
Start Date
Within a week
Service requested
Build new deck
Plans, drawings, or blueprints
No, but I know what I want.
Deck size (SQFT)
Smaller than 100 square feet
Surface and railing material
Wood
Deck structure material
Wood
Structural features
Something else
Supplemental additions
Deck lighting
Material provided
No, pro must provide the materials
Traverse City 49696
Deck Repair
Start Date
Within a month
Type of deck
Pressure-treated pine
Areas of deck to repair
Decking or deck surface
Deck damage
Rotting, cracked or missing boards
Severity of damage
Moderate (the deck is potentially unsafe)
Filing insurance claim
No
Already have deck materials
No, and I'd like the pro to provide them
Traverse City 49686
Carpentry
Service needed
Carpentry
Start Date
Within a month
Traverse City 49696
Deck Repair
Start Date
Within a month
Type of deck
Pressure-treated pine
Areas of deck to repair
Screen porch
Deck damage
Replace screens with windows
Severity of damage
Minor (the deck just needs cosmetic repairs)
Filing insurance claim
No
Already have deck materials
No, and I'd like the pro to provide them
Traverse City 49684
Deck Repair
Start Date
I'm flexible
Type of deck
I'm not sure
Areas of deck to repair
Decking or deck surface
Deck damage
Rotting, cracked or missing boards, Warping or water damage, Needs to be refinished
Severity of damage
Moderate (the deck is potentially unsafe)
Filing insurance claim
I'm not sure
Already have deck materials
No, and I'd like the pro to provide them
Traverse City 49686
Deck Construction
Start Date
Within a week
Service requested
Build new deck
Plans, drawings, or blueprints
No, but I know what I want.
Deck size (SQFT)
I haven't decided
Surface and railing material
Wood
Deck structure material
Wood
Structural features
Custom stairs
Supplemental additions
Something else
Material provided
No, pro must provide the materials
Traverse City 49696
Carpentry
Service needed
Carpentry
Start Date
I'm flexible