What does a carpenter do?

A carpenter is a skilled tradesperson who builds, installs, and repairs structures and fixtures made of wood and other materials, working in residential, commercial, and industrial construction with tasks varying by specialization. Rough carpenters or framers build the skeleton of buildings, including framing walls, floors, roofs, and installing beams, joists, and subflooring using lumber, plywood, and engineered wood, reading blueprints, measuring and cutting accurately, and ensuring structures are plumb, level, and square, often working outdoors with nail guns and saws. Finish carpenters or trim carpenters install interior trim, baseboards, crown molding, door and window casings, hanging doors, installing cabinets, and building stairs, requiring high precision and attention to detail because work is highly visible. Cabinetmakers build custom cabinets, furniture, and built-ins in shops using advanced joinery. Other specialties include formwork carpenters who build concrete forms, scaffolding carpenters, and remodeling carpenters who renovate existing homes. Daily duties include measuring, marking, cutting with hand and power saws, drilling, nailing, screwing, sanding, installing hardware, estimating materials, and collaborating with electricians, plumbers, and other trades. Carpenters use tools including tape measures, levels, squares, hammers, nail guns, circular saws, miter saws, and routers. They work on job sites, in shops, and in homes, earning $24 to $50 per hour depending on experience and location, and they must know building codes, math for angles, and safety protocols.