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Carpenter Hourly Rate Calculator
Calculate the hourly rate your carpentry or remodeling business needs — with finish-carpenter defaults and U.S. market benchmarks.
Required carpenter rate in Chicago
$126.24per billable hour
National market for carpenters: $57–$103/hr in Chicago.
- Billable hours per year4,160 paid hours at 68% utilization
- 2,829 hrs
- Break-even rateBefore owner income
- $98.03/hr
- Trip charge
- $80
- Total for 90-min job
- $143
Your required rate exceeds the typical market ceiling
At $126.24/hr you are above the $103 ceiling most carpenters charge in Chicago. The arithmetic has to change: lift utilization, cut overhead, or move into premium work (commercial, emergency, specialized). Finish and remodeling carpenter rates, U.S. national. Rough framing crews often bid by the job, not hourly.
| Job | Your price | Market range |
|---|---|---|
| Interior door installation | $658 | $275–$550 |
| Crown molding (per room) | $1,285 | $550–$1,319 |
| Deck repair (localized) | $1,841 | $659–$1,649 |
| Custom built-in shelving | $2,530 | $1,649–$3,847 |
You pay for every hour, not just the billable ones
At 68% utilization, 1,331 paid hours a year — $50,319 of burdened wage — never appear on an invoice. Route density and dispatching move this lever without raising your rate.
What this assumes
- Benchmarks reflect finish and remodeling carpenters; rough framing crews typically bid by the job.
- Material markup on lumber and hardware runs 15 to 25% for carpentry contractors.
- Utilization is higher than service trades because carpenters work longer blocks on site.
Understanding the result
Finish carpentry bills higher than framing
A framing carpenter earns $22 to $28/hour; a finish carpenter or remodeler bills $50 to $90/hour because the work requires precision, client interaction, and often design input. The hourly rate reflects skill level, not just union vs. non-union.
Remodeling is project-priced, not hourly
Customers want a price for the kitchen remodel, not an hourly rate. But you estimate the project from an hourly cost build-up. If your internal rate is wrong, every fixed-price bid loses money. Get the hourly rate right first; then build project quotes from it.
Material waste is a hidden cost
Carpentry generates 10 to 15% material waste on trim and framing jobs. Shops that estimate material at exact takeoff without a waste factor lose 2 to 3 points of margin on every job. Build waste into the material line, not the labor rate.
Common questions
How much do carpenters charge per hour?
Finish and remodeling carpenters charge $50 to $90 per hour nationally. Rough framing crews typically bid by the square foot ($4 to $8/sq ft) rather than hourly. Union carpenters in major metros bill $65 to $110/hour.
What is the difference between a framer and a finish carpenter rate?
Framing carpenters earn $20 to $28/hour and work on production schedules. Finish carpenters earn $25 to $35/hour in wages but bill $55 to $90/hour because their work requires precision, client-facing skills, and often custom fabrication.
How much does a carpenter charge to build a deck?
A pressure-treated wood deck costs $30 to $50 per square foot installed ($6,000 to $10,000 for a 200 sq ft deck). Composite decking runs $45 to $65/sq ft. Permits, footings, and railing style significantly affect price.
How much does crown molding installation cost?
Crown molding installation runs $5 to $12 per linear foot installed, or $500 to $1,200 per room. Complex profiles, high ceilings, and intricate corners add labor. Painting the molding adds $2 to $4 per linear foot.
Should carpenters charge hourly or by the project?
Use hourly internally to build estimates, but quote projects at a fixed price. Customers want certainty; you want margin protection. Track actual hours on every job to refine your per-unit pricing over time.
How much should a carpentry business charge to be profitable?
A two-carpenter remodeling shop with $28/hour burdened labor, 68% utilization, and $8,000/month overhead needs $75 to $95/hour to hit 15 to 18% net margin. Finish work above $85/hour; basic repairs below $65/hour struggle.
How much does a carpenter charge to install a door?
Interior door installation (pre-hung) runs $250 to $500 per door including hardware. Exterior door installation runs $400 to $800. Custom doors, sidelights, and structural modifications add $200 to $500 per opening.
Do carpenters charge for estimates?
Small jobs may get a phone estimate. Projects over $2,000 typically require an on-site visit. Some remodelers charge $100 to $250 for detailed estimates on large projects, credited toward the job if hired.
How much do carpenters mark up materials?
Carpentry material markup runs 15 to 25% on lumber, hardware, and fixtures. Custom millwork and specialty items may carry 25 to 35%. Markup covers procurement, delivery, waste, and return trips for missing materials.
What is the average carpenter trip charge?
Remodeling carpenters charge $65 to $125 for a site visit or minimum service call. Handyman carpenters may charge less but carry less insurance and licensing. The trip charge covers travel to jobs that may last only 1 to 2 hours.
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