What does a carpenter do?
A carpenter (colloquially known as a ‘chippy’) is a tradesperson who works with timber, primarily wood, wallboard and plywood. Carpenters are hired for commercial, industrial or residential projects, where they build and install foundations, frames and walls as well as fixtures and hardware as required. Depending on the client’s requirements, a carpenter can also lay timber flooring and install doors and window frames, or craft artwork for the building.
Most work a carpenter does consists of custom, handcrafted pieces and installations, which need to meet safety requirements and be visually appealing. Carpenters typically use various kinds of power tools and machinery to produce their work.
Carpenter skills and qualifications
A successful carpenter needs to have the following skills and aptitudes to excel in their role:
- Mathematically minded in order to be able to calculate dimensions and material requirements
- Dynamic and physically able to perform the practical duties of the role
- Great communication skills to agree on client requirements and coordinate work with other tradespeople
- Excellent time management skills to meet project deadlines
- An eye for detail as carpentry is precision work
Carpenter experience requirements
When hiring a carpenter, it’s important to bear in mind that all qualified carpenters will have undergone several years of on-the-job training as part of their obligatory apprenticeship. So, even newly qualified carpenters will already have some hands-on experience to bring to the table.
Carpenter education and training requirements
Carpenters are usually expected to have completed at least Year 10 schooling, although this is not a formal requirement. However, to be permitted to work as a carpenter in Australia, a number of educational and training requirements must be met. These include completion of a four-year apprenticeship and the Certificate III in Carpentry.
Carpenters also need to undergo general safety induction training with a registered training organisation to obtain a general construction induction card (previously known as ‘White Card’).
In addition, self-employed carpenters need to obtain a government-issued carpentry licence to perform work worth more than $3,300.
Carpenter salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a carpenter is $35.84 per hour. Although carpenter salaries are fairly homogenous across all cities and states, carpenters in major cities are reporting slightly higher salaries than those in smaller or more remote towns.
Job description samples for similar positions
There are a number of roles related to that of a carpenter. Take a look to see if you may need to hire one of these experts instead of or in addition to a carpenter:
Carpenter job description FAQs
Are there different types of carpenters?
A carpenter can choose to specialise in one or more areas. The most common types of carpenters are:
- Joiners – make cabinetry and furniture
- Framing carpenters – create frameworks for walls, floors and roofs and other structural elements of buildings
- Ship carpenters – build and repair ships
- Finish carpenters – add the finishing touches to a building with visually appealing fixtures and fittings, such as door handles, skirting boards and trimmings
- Scenic carpenters – work in the entertainment industry and create set pieces and props for TV, movie and stage productions
- Green carpenters – specialise in sustainable and environmentally friendly methods and materials
What is the difference between a carpenter and a builder?
A builder is typically more qualified than a carpenter and earns slightly more. Many builders are qualified as carpenters or in another trade and went on to obtain a building licence. Assuming more of a project manager role, builders are therefore less hands-on than carpenters and often oversee larger projects. A builder may hire a carpenter to complete a part of the overall project.
How physically demanding is the role of carpenter?
Carpenters need to be physically able to lift and manoeuvre tools and heavy materials, especially timber. The role revolves around lifting items and using machinery to perform demanding physical work, so an appropriate amount of physical strength is indispensable. A carpenter also needs to be able to tolerate changing weather conditions, such as extreme heat or rain, and noisy construction environments.
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