Carpenters cut, shape and fasten wood and other materials to build structures.
These structures can be large items, like houses and other buildings. Or they
can be smaller items like staircases and shelving.
Carpenters may specialize in one type of construction. For example, they
may work only on residential or commercial construction projects. Or they
may work mostly on industrial or institutional buildings. They may specialize
by type of job, such as new construction, maintenance or renovation work.
They may also specialize in rough or finish carpentry:
- Rough carpentry involves constructing and installing temporary
structures and supports. This involves framing, as well as installing rafters,
joists and floors. Rough carpentry is usually covered up when the building
is finished. These carpenters also build scaffolds for workers to stand on,
barricades to close off the construction site, and chutes and forms for concrete.
- Finish carpentry involves installing hardwood floors, staircases,
window frames, doors and shelving. Some finish carpenters even work on furniture.
Their careful precision work makes a building look complete, inside and out.
Carpenters are employed by construction companies, carpentry contractors,
maintenance departments of factories and manufacturing sites. Or they may
be self-employed.
Carpenters generally work from project to project. Overtime is common in
order to finish projects on time.
"The hardest part of the job is trying to balance my life with the long
hours," says Doug Kaldec in Utah. "These days, I get up at about 6:30 a.m.
and I'm out of the house by 7. A half hour before sunset, I gather up my tools,
clean up, and then I plan out the next day."
Carpenters need to be in fairly good shape. After all, you'll be climbing,
stooping, kneeling, crouching and reaching. Don't worry if you're not a bodybuilder
-- stamina is more important than strength.
"You don't have to be in incredible shape, but once you're on the job for
three weeks, you develop whatever strength you're going to need anyway," says
carpenter Rob McIntyre.
It's a good idea to have a good driving record if you want to be a carpenter.
You'll need to travel from site to site.
Carpentry, like many other construction trades, can be unsteady work. Job
prospects vary depending on the economy and the climate. You should expect
to go through periods of unemployment, and need to plan for ups and downs
in income.
"Since '91, I've had about six months of work every year that I can count
on," says carpenter Lisette Garland.