Top 4 Carpenters in Fairbanks, AK

Porch Pro Headshot Keesler Construction & Remodeling
Carpenters
Serves Fairbanks, Alaska
(24)
We provide incredible service to incredible people with high quality construction and remodeling projects. We aim to serve people so undeniably well that they can't help but share their experience with their friends and family. Our goal is to change the lives of the people we work with by adding v...Read more about Keesler Construction & Remodeling
We provide incredible service to incredible people with high quality construction and remodeling projects. We aim to serve people so undeniably well that they can't help but share their experience with their friends and family. Our goal is to change the lives of the people we work with by adding v...Read more about Keesler Construction & Remodeling
Porch Pro Headshot Acme & Sons, LLC
Carpenters
Serves Fairbanks, Alaska
We strive to bring a superior product, at a affordable price. A place for all your construction needs.
We strive to bring a superior product, at a affordable price. A place for all your construction needs.
Porch Pro Headshot Cornerstone Builders, LLC
Carpenters
Serves Fairbanks, Alaska
(1)
We are a general contracting company specializing in remodels, additions and new construction. We are lifelong Alaskans and know how to build for Alaskan Conditions. We do whole house remodels. We also specialize in bathroom and kitchen remodels. We focus on customer service, clear expectations and ...Read more about Cornerstone Builders, LLC
We are a general contracting company specializing in remodels, additions and new construction. We are lifelong Alaskans and know how to build for Alaskan Conditions. We do whole house remodels. We also specialize in bathroom and kitchen remodels. We focus on customer service, clear expectations and ...Read more about Cornerstone Builders, LLC
Porch Pro Headshot James Construction Services
Carpenters
Serves Fairbanks, Alaska
(1)
"Having lived in this State for nearly fifty years and grown up in a construction family, I've seen many people come and go in the industry. Many contractors say they can do the job but only some are truly capable of such performance, James is one of those people who not only say they can do the ...Read more about James Construction Services
"Having lived in this State for nearly fifty years and grown up in a construction family, I've seen many people come and go in the industry. Many contractors say they can do the job but only some are truly capable of such performance, James is one of those people who not only say they can do the ...Read more about James Construction Services

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 Fairbanks Carpenters

75266

Needed someone to do some finish work on my residence and also some construction on my business facility. These guys were able to get both completed quickly and with great quality! Their attention to detail was awesome. Highly recommend giving them a c...

- Jonathan Huff

Everything You Need to Know About Fairbanks Carpenters

How do I know I am getting a fair price for Carpentry Services work in Fairbanks?

Every Carpentry Services job has different requirements. Remember that the price will differ depending on the scope of your project. However, that doesn't mean you have to go in blind. Check out our tips for getting a fair price for Fairbanks work from Carpentersbelow:

  • Talk to a few different Carpenters and ask for quotes to compare. We have around 20 professionals and companies in Fairbanks for you to compare.
  • Before contacting a company, check out the ratings and reviews from previous customers to learn what others have paid, how long the Carpenters took on the job, and how satisfied they were.

How many carpenters does Fairbanks have?

There are around 20 companies throughout Fairbanks to help you with your next carpentry services job.

  • 4 of them have an A or A+ rating from Better Business Bureau.

How does invoicing/payment work for most Carpenter projects in Fairbanks?

Every project differs, but you should ask any carpenter for an estimate, before they do any work. In fact, ask for their general payment terms before any carpentry services work is done.

If the job is large and going to take longer than a day, it's common practice for carpenters to request a down payment. Usually, this will be around 25% so they can commence work on your carpenter project.

If it's a quick job, you'll likely be given an invoice/bill when the job is complete. Then it's up to you and the carpenter to determine if you pay immediately or can send payment at a later date.

Latest projects near Fairbanks

Recent projects booked on Porch
North Pole 99705
Carpentry
Service needed
Carpentry
Start Date
Within a week
Fairbanks 99709
Deck Repair
Start Date
I'm flexible
Type of deck
I'm not sure
Areas of deck to repair
Structural beams, joists or posts, Piers or footings
Deck damage
Rotting, cracked or missing boards, cement footings have 'walked out' toward retainer wall over many years and needs to be re-plumbed?
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
Fairbanks 99709
Deck Repair
Start Date
Within a month
Type of deck
Cedar
Areas of deck to repair
Decking or deck surface
Deck damage
Need an extension
Severity of damage
Minor (the deck just needs cosmetic repairs)
Filing insurance claim
No
Already have deck materials
Yes
Fairbanks 99709
Deck Repair
Start Date
Within a month
Type of deck
I'm not sure
Areas of deck to repair
Decking or deck surface
Deck damage
Rotting, cracked or missing boards, Needs to be refinished
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
Fairbanks 99709
Carpentry
Service needed
Carpentry
Start Date
Within a month
Fairbanks 99712
Carpentry
Service needed
Carpentry
Start Date
Within a week
Fairbanks 99712
Carpentry
Service needed
Carpentry
Start Date
Within a week
Fairbanks 99701
Deck Construction
Start Date
Within a month
Service requested
Replace deck
Deck removed
No, pro should remove existing deck
Plans, drawings, blueprints
No, I would like a professional opinion
Deck size (SQFT)
250 to 500 square feet
Surface and railing material
Composite, Waterproof polymer or epoxy membrane
Structure material
I'd like a professional recommendation
Structural features
Not listed here
Supplemental features
Deck lighting
Materials included
No, pro must provide materials
Fairbanks 99709
Carpentry
Service needed
Carpentry
Start Date
Within 48 hours