Local directory
Carpenters
Framing, finish carpentry, decks, stairs and structural repair contractors.
- Metro areas
- 51
- Listings
- 0
- States
- 31
The directory is still being built
There are no carpenters listed yet. We publish a listing only where the organization asked to be listed, or where every field came from a public licence register, and building that takes longer than scraping names into a page.
What the metro pages carry today is local cost adjustment, licensing requirements and the verification steps worth running before you hire. Listing is free and there is no paid placement.
What carpenters are licensed to do
Generally unlicensed as a trade. A general contractor license is required in most states to contract work directly.
Frame, finish and build the structures and interiors of residential and commercial buildings.
Verify before hiring
- Licence number, current and correctly classified
- Certificate of insurance sent by the insurer
- Written scope with exclusions stated
- Who pulls the permit, in writing
What this directory covers
Carpentry is the broadest construction trade and the least uniformly licensed. Most states do not issue a journeyman carpenter card — they license the general contractor who signs the permit. That means the verification work shifts: you are confirming the business entity authorized to contract the work, not a trade-specific card.
Framing, finish work, decks and structural repair each involve different skills. A strong framer is not automatically a strong finish carpenter. The scope notes below help you match the licence class and the portfolio to the job you actually have.
Trade context reviewed September 2026. Licensing rules vary by state — verify on the board lookup for your metro.
Typically in licence scope
- Rough framing for additions, remodels and new construction
- Finish carpentry — trim, doors, casings and built-ins
- Deck and porch framing, stairs and guardrails
- Drywall backing, soffits and basic structural repairs
- Siding and exterior trim when within the contractor's licence class
Usually outside scope
- Engineered beam sizing and structural calculations — require a licensed engineer
- Electrical, plumbing and HVAC work embedded in a remodel — separate licences
- Foundation repair and underpinning — usually a specialty contractor scope
- Lead-safe renovation on pre-1978 housing without EPA RRP certification
Federal credentials that apply
EPA Lead-Safe Renovator (RRP) — when applicable
Required when disturbing painted surfaces in housing or child-occupied facilities built before 1978. Applies to remodelers, window installers and anyone cutting into old walls — not a carpenter licence, but a federal certification the firm must hold.
Common jobs and what they should cost
National planning ranges from our cost guides. Apply the labor index on each metro page before using them as a local benchmark.
Cost guides
- Foundation RepairStabilizing or correcting foundation settlement, cracking and water intrusion.
- Window ReplacementReplacing residential windows, either as inserts into existing frames or full-frame replacement.
- Siding ReplacementRemoving and replacing exterior siding on a home, including house wrap and trim.
- Fence InstallationInstalling a new privacy, picket, or chain-link fence with posts, panels, and gates.
- Deck BuildingBuilding a new attached or freestanding wood or composite deck with railing and stairs.
- Tree RemovalCutting down and removing a tree, including stump grinding and debris hauling.
- Kitchen RemodelRenovating a residential kitchen including cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and finishes.
- Flooring InstallationInstalling new flooring — hardwood, LVP, tile, or carpet — in a residential space.
Diagnose before you call
- Garage Door Won't CloseA garage door that refuses to close or reverses immediately — usually a safety sensor or track issue, not a motor failure.
- Window Condensation Between PanesFog between glass panes means sealed unit failure — the low-E argon layer is compromised.
- Foundation Crack GrowingA crack that widens over months may be settlement, hydrostatic pressure, or structural movement — measure and monitor.
- Floor SaggingSagging floors point to joist damage, undersized spans, or foundation movement.
- Wall Crack Above DoorCracks above doors and windows often track settling or lintel movement — pattern tells severity.
- Door StickingDoors that stick seasonally or suddenly hint at humidity, hinge wear, or foundation shift.
- Deck Feels SpringyA bouncy deck means undersized joists, rotted ledger, or loose connections — safety critical.
Red flags before you sign
No general contractor licence where your state requires one
If your state licenses contracting at the business level, the company signing your contract should appear on the registrar lookup. An unlicensed operator saves you nothing if the permit is rejected or the work fails inspection.
Structural changes with no engineer stamp
Removing a load-bearing wall, enlarging an opening or modifying trusses requires engineering in essentially every jurisdiction. A carpenter who says otherwise is betting on the inspector not showing up.
Deck quote without railing and footing spec
Deck failures are usually connection and footing failures, not board failures. A quote that lists square footage without joist spec, ledger attachment method and railing height is incomplete.
Cash-only with no contract on a job over a few hundred dollars
Scope disputes are the most common carpentry conflict. Without a written scope, exclusions and payment schedule, you have no record of what was agreed.
Verification checklist
- Confirm the general contractor or residential contractor licence on the state registrar.
- For pre-1978 homes, ask for EPA RRP firm certification before any demolition or cutting.
- Request references for the specific work type — decks and finish trim are different portfolios.
- Verify permit responsibility in writing before structural or exterior work begins.
- Insist on a written scope with material spec, exclusions and payment milestones.
Common questions
Do carpenters need a licence?
When is a permit required for carpentry work?
What is the difference between a framer and a finish carpenter?
Should I hire a carpenter or a general contractor for a remodel?
Largest metro areas
Percentages show local labor cost against the national median — the adjustment worth applying to any national estimate before you use it.
- Carpenters in New YorkNew York · 8,258,035 residents+29%
- Carpenters in Los AngelesCalifornia · 3,820,914 residents+22%
- Carpenters in ChicagoIllinois · 2,664,452 residents+14%
- Carpenters in HoustonTexas · 2,314,157 residents-4%
- Carpenters in PhoenixArizona · 1,650,070 residents-2%
- Carpenters in PhiladelphiaPennsylvania · 1,550,542 residents+11%
- Carpenters in San AntonioTexas · 1,495,295 residents-8%
- Carpenters in San DiegoCalifornia · 1,388,320 residents+19%
- Carpenters in DallasTexas · 1,302,868 residents-3%
- Carpenters in JacksonvilleFlorida · 985,843 residents-6%
- Carpenters in AustinTexas · 979,882 residents+2%
- Carpenters in Fort WorthTexas · 978,468 residents-4%
- Carpenters in San JoseCalifornia · 969,655 residents+35%
- Carpenters in ColumbusOhio · 913,175 residents-5%
- Carpenters in CharlotteNorth Carolina · 911,311 residents-5%
- Carpenters in IndianapolisIndiana · 879,293 residents-8%
- Carpenters in San FranciscoCalifornia · 808,988 residents+38%
- Carpenters in SeattleWashington · 755,078 residents+24%
- Carpenters in DenverColorado · 715,522 residents+6%
- Carpenters in Oklahoma CityOklahoma · 702,767 residents-12%
- Carpenters in NashvilleTennessee · 687,788 residents-4%
- Carpenters in WashingtonDistrict of Columbia · 678,972 residents+23%
- Carpenters in El PasoTexas · 678,815 residents-13%
- Carpenters in Las VegasNevada · 660,929 residents+1%
- Carpenters in BostonMassachusetts · 653,833 residents+27%
- Carpenters in PortlandOregon · 635,749 residents+12%
- Carpenters in DetroitMichigan · 633,218 residents+3%
- Carpenters in LouisvilleKentucky · 622,981 residents-10%
- Carpenters in MemphisTennessee · 618,639 residents-12%
- Carpenters in BaltimoreMaryland · 565,239 residents+9%
All metros
Colorado
District of Columbia
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
New York
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
Other categories
- ElectriciansLicensed electrical contractors for panel work, wiring, troubleshooting and code corrections.
- PlumbersLicensed plumbing contractors for water heaters, leaks, drains, fixtures and repiping.
- HVAC ContractorsHeating, cooling and refrigeration contractors for service, replacement and duct work.
- RoofersRoofing contractors for leak repair, replacement, storm damage and inspections.
- Trade SchoolsAccredited trade and technical schools offering programs in the skilled trades.
- Apprenticeship ProgramsRegistered apprenticeship programs through union locals, contractor associations and employers.