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What does a Carpenter do?

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Talent.com talent.com
Answered April 21 2021
Career Expert at Talent.com
Carpenters are skilled tradespeople who work with wood. Their tasks can vary based on their specialty or project, but they can do any of the following:
  • Building framing
  • Cabinetry building
  • Installing structures such as windows and moldings
  • Follow blueprints and instructions to meet the needs of clients.
All Carpenters work closely with construction managers, contractors, designers, architects, and engineers. They do so to ensure all aspects of the project are completed as per established protocols, focusing on quality, cost control, consistency, and safety. Carpenters are also required to work with all levels of maintenance, production, engineering, and other outside services.

Carpenters need to know about many different tools, from power tools to hand tools to table saws. They need to know how to handle all these tools safely and select the appropriate tool required for the job at hand. 

Depending on the job and the deadlines, Carpenters may work on weekends and evenings. Extreme temperatures or bad weather may affect timelines and Carpenters' work hours. 

Roles & Responsibilities of a Carpenter
The Carpenter oversees many aspects of the construction process. If the Carpenter is self-employed, they also have to manage all the logistics of self-employment, such as invoicing and paying taxes. Approximately 28% of Carpenters are self-employed. If a Carpenter works for a larger entity like a union or a construction company, they may have other responsibilities such as writing expense reports. Some everyday responsibilities for Carpenters are: 
  • Determining and calculating requirements after studying the necessary designs (e.g., drawings, blueprints, or sketches)
  • Building, maintaining, repairing, or demolishing wooden structures and frameworks in industrial and residential establishments, using hand and power tools
  • Assisting the contractor or construction manager in the coordination of on-site activities
  • Picking up debris and cleaning up throughout the project and after finishing a job
  • Preparing estimates, tenders, and invoices.
  • Ordering materials and selecting the appropriate sizes and types of wood for a project
  • Maintaining and cleaning tools
Easteregg!