Carpenters are involved in many different kinds of construction, from the building of highways and bridges to the installation of kitchen cabinets. Carpenters construct, erect, install, and repair structures and fixtures made from wood and other materials.
Each carpentry task is somewhat different, but most involve the same basic steps. Working from blueprints or instructions from supervisors, carpenters first do the layout—measuring, marking, and arranging materials—in accordance with local building codes. They cut and shape wood, plastic, fiberglass, or drywall using hand and power tools, such as chisels, planes, saws, drills, and sanders. They then join the materials with nails, screws, staples, or adhesives. In the last step, carpenters do a final check of the accuracy of their work with levels, rules, plumb bobs, framing squares, and surveying equipment, and make any necessary adjustments.
When working with prefabricated components, such as stairs or wall panels, the carpenter's task is somewhat simpler because it does not require as much layout work or the cutting and assembly of as many pieces. Prefabricated components are designed for easy and fast installation and generally can be installed in a single operation.
Some carpenters do many different carpentry tasks, while others specialize in one or two. Carpenters who remodel homes and other structures, for example, need a broad range of carpentry skills. As part of a single job, for example, they might frame walls and partitions, put in doors and windows, build stairs, install cabinets and molding, and complete many other tasks. Because these carpenters are so well-trained, they often can switch from residential building to commercial construction or remodeling work, depending on which offers the best work opportunities.
Carpenters who work for large construction contractors or specialty contractors may perform only a few regular tasks, such as constructing wooden forms for pouring concrete, or erecting scaffolding. Some carpenters build tunnel bracing, or brattices, in underground passageways and mines to control the circulation of air through the passageways and to worksites. Others build concrete forms for tunnel, bridge, or sewer construction projects.
Carpenters employed outside the construction industry perform a variety of installation and maintenance work. They may replace panes of glass, ceiling tiles, and doors, as well as repair desks, cabinets, and other furniture. Depending on the employer, carpenters install partitions, doors, and windows; change locks; and repair broken furniture. In manufacturing firms, carpenters may assist in moving or installing machinery.
Work environment. As is true of other building trades, carpentry work is sometimes strenuous. Prolonged standing, climbing, bending, and kneeling often are necessary. Carpenters risk injury working with sharp or rough materials, using sharp tools and power equipment, and working in situations where they might slip or fall. Although many carpenters work indoors, those that work outdoors are subject to variable weather conditions.
Most carpenters work a standard 40 hour week. Hours may be longer during busy periods.
| 1. | Measure and mark cutting lines on materials, using ruler, pencil, chalk, and marking gauge. |
| 2. | Follow established safety rules and regulations and maintain a safe and clean environment. |
| 3. | Verify trueness of structure, using plumb bob and level. |
| 4. | Shape or cut materials to specified measurements, using hand tools, machines, or power saw. |
| 5. | Study specifications in blueprints, sketches or building plans to prepare project layout and determine dimensions and materials required. |
| 6. | Assemble and fasten materials to make framework or props, using hand tools and wood screws, nails, dowel pins, or glue. |
| 7. | Build or repair cabinets, doors, frameworks, floors, and other wooden fixtures used in buildings, using woodworking machines, carpenter's hand tools, and power tools. |
| 8. | Erect scaffolding and ladders for assembling structures above ground level. |
| 9. | Remove damaged or defective parts or sections of structures and repair or replace, using hand tools. |
| 10. | Install structures and fixtures, such as windows, frames, floorings, and trim, or hardware, using carpenter's hand and power tools. |
| 11. | Select and order lumber and other required materials. |
| 12. | Maintain records, document actions and present written progress reports. |
| 13. | Finish surfaces of woodwork or wallboard in houses and buildings, using paint, hand tools, and paneling. |
| 14. | Prepare cost estimates for clients or employers. |
| 15. | Arrange for subcontractors to deal with special areas such as heating and electrical wiring work. |
| 16. | Inspect ceiling or floor tile, wall coverings, siding, glass, or woodwork to detect broken or damaged structures. |
| 17. | Work with or remove hazardous material. |
| 18. | Construct forms and chutes for pouring concrete. |
| 19. | Cover subfloors with building paper to keep out moisture and lay hardwood, parquet, and wood-strip-block floors by nailing floors to subfloor or cementing them to mastic or asphalt base. |
| 20. | Fill cracks and other defects in plaster or plasterboard and sand patch, using patching plaster, trowel, and sanding tool. |
| 21. | Perform minor plumbing, welding or concrete mixing work. |
| 22. | Apply shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, and decorative paneling to ceilings and walls. |
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