Starting A Carpentry Business

What Is Involved In Running A Carpentry Business?

In the carpentry business, there are four types: bench joiners, site carpenters, shopfitters and formwork carpenters.

A bench joiner begins his or her day based on what the project they are working on requires. This type of carpenter does their job solely in the workshop. The majority of work involves building custom fittings for construction projects like carpet skirting, doors and windows. A bench joiner may also design and build custom furniture.

Some bench joiners show up to work as early as five in the morning while others come in around noon, depending on the deadlines they have to meet. This carpenter will go to the workshop each day, look over construction blueprints and identify all of the window fixtures and fittings needed for the project. A cut list is made, which tells the carpenter all the wood necessary and specifically which dimensions are to be cut.

Next, the bench joiner takes all the necessary pieces from the wood supply, measures and marks all the cuts that need to be made. A table saw is used to make the first few cuts. The ends are cut with an angle chop saw and then the wood is sanded, glued, applied to the project piece and nailed or screwed into place. The bench joiner calls it a day by hauling the fittings to the construction site, or arranging for pickup.

This is where site carpenters take over, working onsite only. This type of carpenter is on the jobsite no later than eight o'clock every morning. The site carpenter installs the fittings that the bench joiner has made for the construction project. This generally involves installing all of the door hinges and ensuring that everything fits and works as it should.

If necessary, the site carpenter cuts the floor skirting to the correct size, nails it to the walls and then covers all of the nail heads with spackle. Often, the site carpenter is responsible for installing the wooden forms to make up the skeleton structure one the foundation is set. A site carpenter calls it a day when the work is done or darkness makes it too difficult to work.

Shopfitters are carpenters that primarily work with structures that are already built. These are the carpenters that you see working in homes and office buildings by scheduled appointments.

The shopfitter begins his or her day by driving their work truck, filled with the necessary tools, to the work location according to the scheduled time. This type of carpenter may have to knock down a wall, install shelving or installing bathroom or kitchen cabinetry.

The work must be done quickly in order to avoid disturbing any occupants trying to go about their daily routine. The workday is typically done for shopfitters around six o'clock in the evening.

A formwork carpenter is one that works with heavy-duty lumber. This type of carpenter arrives on the construction site several months before any of the other carpenters are called. The formwork carpenter is responsible for the concrete slabs on which the structures will be built.

He or she checks the blueprints, marks the dimensions and digs holes at the key points, connecting them with the other lumber. This creates a dam that will help to shape the concrete. The lumber has to be secured so it will not shift over the years.

Equipment Necessary To Run A Carpentry Business:

Wood
Table saw
Angled chop saw
Cordless drill with assorted bits
Hand-held circular saw
Tool belt
Hammer
Nails
Screws
Level
Tape measure
Grease pencil
Work truck with ladder rack and utility box
Sledgehammer
Posthole digger
Cell phone

The Cons Of Running A Carpentry Business:

Outdoor work
Work can be hard to find at times
Weather may affect production
Dirty work
Can be dangerous
Carpentry work can take its toll on a body

The Pros Of Running A Carpentry Business:

Outdoor work
An opportunity to use your creativity
By owning your own business you can bid on the jobs you want and work at your own pace

Skills Necessary To Run A Carpentry Business:

Knowledge of remodeling trades and residential construction techniques, procedures, tools, equipment, safety and materials
Proficiency in trim work, drilling and setting hardware for doors and windows, setting windows, stair layouts, etc.
Ability to read blueprints
Basic analytical and mathematical skills
Ability to give and receive verbal and written instruction
Ability to work with others well
Organizational skills
Ability to manage paperwork such as employee timesheets, etc.
Ability to envision all necessary steps to complete the task at hand
Ability to perform physically demanding tasks such as crawling for long distances and climbing extended ladders

Licenses Necessary For Running A Carpentry Business:

You may need a business license and a valid driver's license, check with local authorities to find out specifically which permits and licenses you need to conduct business in your state. In addition, a number of customers ask that you have your own insurance, especially workers'' comp.

Associations:

Associated General Contractors of America

American Institute of Constructors

Confederation of International Contractors’ Associations

Employees & Job Requirements

A carpentry team consists of a lead carpenter, craftsman, laborers and helpers.

Approximate Minimum Start Up Cost

Depending on the type of carpentry business you run, you can pay as little as $10,000 for a small establishment with just a few tools and employees, or you can pay as much as $50,000 if you decide to go all out with your carpentry business.

12 Steps to starting A Carpentry Business Business

Before You consider a Carpentry Business, see 16 Questions to Consider Before Starting a Business

1. Ensure A Carpentry Business is for You!

You have a choice as to what business you're going to start, so start one that's right for you. Getting into the right business can dramatically increase your success. Get into the wrong business and your success rate drops. Read Five Secrets to Getting into the Right Business for more information.

2. Understand How A Carpentry Business Operates

How can you run a Carpentry Business if you don't know much about the business? What if you run into an issue that you can't or won't deal with? Then what? You're in a business that you hate working in and that's a problem. See Understand How a Business Operates for more information.

3. Make Sure there is a Profitable Market for Your Business

What's the use of starting a Carpentry Business that is not profitable? You'll be putting all your effort in something that can't support itself or you. There are a variety of issues when it comes to setting the stage for profitability. See Tips for Identifying a Profitable Market.

4. Create a Business Plan For Your Carpentry Business

A business plan is a must for any size business because it helps you stay focused, see the big picture, and get funding. It's something that you create when you start your business and then update as your Carpentry Business evolves. Read our free online guide on How to Write a Business Plan

5. Set up your Business Team

Setting up your team includes finding the right employees and professionals that will help you run your Carpentry Business.

You don't need to employ everyone you work with, but you will need a team of people you can depend on, which could consist of a lawyer, accountant, banker, and consultant, as well as professionals in your industry. See Creating a Business Team for more on this subject.

6. Get a Small Business Loan if You Don't Have the Money to Start

If you don't have the money to get started, then you'll need the necessary financing or you won't have the opportunity to start your Carpentry Business. This can be done as a small business loan, a personal loan, or other small business financing options.

For more on financing your Carpentry Business see our guide on Financing Your Small Business

7. Legalize Your Carpentry Business

In order to run your Carpentry Business legally you'll need to abide by government rules and regulations on the state and local level.

You'll need to do your research, determine what type of business (sole proprietorship, corporation LLC, etc.) to register, create and register your business name, and register your Carpentry Business with state and local authorities.

To go through the business registration process, see Chapter 6: Making Your Business Legitimate, starting with 6 Easy Steps to a Good Business Name.

8. Get Equipment for Your Carpentry Business

In order to run your Carpentry Business successfully and efficiently you'll need to acquire the right type of equipment. How can you run an online business without a computer? You can't! This is an important issue. See Acquiring Equipment for more on this topic.

9. Insure Your Carpentry Business

Make sure you have the proper insurance for your Carpentry Business. Without the right coverage you could lose everything you've worked for. For tips on insuring your Carpentry Business, see our free online guide: Insuring Your Small Business.

10. Prepare To Accept Money

You'll need a way to accept money, you can't depend just on cash or checks. You'll need to accept plastic: Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. To do that you'll need to apply for a merchant account. See Setting Up a Merchant Account for more on this topic.

11. Set up Your Accounting System

Running a Carpentry Business requires you to collect taxes, and report your earnings. So it's best to set up an accounting system in before you start your Carpentry Business. See Setting Up Your Accounting System for more on this topic.

12. Acquire Customers for your Carpentry Business

In order to exist, every business needs customers. Getting customers is one thing you'll need to be good at. If you can master the tasks of getting customers, it's just like turning on a cash machine almost any time you want. See Acquiring Customers for more on this topic

See Also: Our Free Online Guide to Starting A Business

Carpentry Business Issues's:

Estimating Startup Costs - Find out if you're forgetting something

Business Location - Choosing A suitable one For Your Carpentry Business

Build or Buy A Business? - Buying an existing Carpentry Business

Carpentry Business Research:

Here are some popular terms people are looking for online. These may help you during your research.

how to start a Carpentry Business
carpentry business
carpentry tools
trim carpentry
carpenter salary
carpentry books
carpentry training
modern carpentry

Business Builders For Your Carpentry Business:

Business cards for Your Carpentry Business

Business Plan for Your Carpentry Business

Business Insurance for Your Carpentry Business

Small Business Loans: Finance Your Carpentry Business

More Business Ideas:

Share |