Carpenters are amazing workers. They can help install windows and doors, alter stairs, and undertake a variety of other woodworking-related tasks for their clients.
However, though many hardworking carpenters are out there, these professionals can be hard to come by. Some people have even been advised not to turn these professionals away over minor quibbles, given how difficult it can be to find a reliable tradesperson today.
Therefore, not every carpenter will meet your requirements. DIY isn’t always an option either, as these tasks require highly skilled individuals with a steady hand and robust work ethic.
How can you choose the right carpenter? Read on for some of our hiring tips.
Set Project Parameters
There are carpenters, and then there are carpenters. While the job role can seem quite broad, some parts of the sector are more niche and require more discretion.
So, defining your project is the first step in choosing the right carpenter. Once you can relay an accurate brief, you can then more seriously look into the skills and experiences of the talented professionals you’d like to work with.
Outline the following:
- What does the project timeline look like? Will the ideal carpenter be able to meet a schedule that fits with your lifestyle? Is the work long-term or a flash in the pan? How should the project be paced, and can any research give you an accurate idea of what to expect?
- What’s your budget? Can you afford everything you’re setting out to achieve? How much might your ideal materials cost? Is there any room for compromise if necessary?
- What regulations must you abide by? Are there any permits you need to acquire for the carpentry work to take place? Do you know what specific qualifications the carpenters may need to hold to carry out the work safely and promptly?
Answering these questions will help you narrow down your search for the perfect carpenter and filter out those who may be unable to meet the moment. You’ll also gain deeper insights into carpentry and feel more confident and credible when making your decisions.
Search Online Marketplaces
Once you know the nature of the carpentry job, you can send out your brief to a host of qualified and vetted professionals. The best way to do this is through a reputable online marketplace.
Online marketplaces are websites where tradespeople and clients in need can connect after the latter party posts their job specifications on the chosen platform. The tradespeople have been by credible agencies and well-reviewed by other users on legitimate platforms. As the client, you’d only need to connect with the carpenters you like the look of, as you should be able to browse their full work history.
You can find carpenters and joiners near you with online marketplaces like MyBuilder. Post your job online, and let the tradespeople come to you. The platform is also great because it can advise you on the best practices for connecting with local carpenters and joiners; never paying in full upfront, finding out about professional memberships, and enquiring about the tradesperson’s professional connections.
Consequently, online marketplaces can provide a crucial service but also a great learning curve if this is your first time looking for a carpenter. They also provide access to other tradespeople, so it’s a platform you can continually use to stay informed about the best workers in many sectors.
Conduct Some Independent Checks
Online marketplaces are useful, but it’s good to follow through on your checks and do some research of your own as well. That way, you can ensure there’s a reliable consensus to key into.
When you’re trying to find a carpenter, there are a few other sources you can consult. They include:
- Trade association websites – Any credible tradesperson will have a record of their working activities here.
- Local business directories – Trustworthy and well-established carpenters will want to be listed here.
- Insurance providers – While they may not give up their clients’ details, learning more about the insurance companies your ideal carpenter works with can be informative and tell you much about the working conditions you might expect.
- Online portfolios – Reputable carpenters should be happy to publicly show examples of their work via their website. From there, you can assess the quality of their work, compare their projects against those of others, and determine whether their style is compatible with your requirements.
As you can see, you have a few options here – it’s best to explore them all to some degree. The more thorough you are, the more likely it is you’ll work with a competent carpenter.
Authenticate Recommendations From Loved Ones
We’ve recommended a great way to find the right carpenters for your job. Therefore, it’s a good idea to reevaluate other search methods so that you don’t complicate things.
We’re referring to the process of asking loved ones for recommendations here. When you’re looking for local carpenters, friends and family may be biased by the names they offer to you. They may also misremember, exaggerate, or otherwise misrepresent what their recommended carpenter can do.
Establishing a reliable consensus is hard when you ask one person for a recommendation or even several. It’s better to use a platform where you can see a list of reviews and credentials with your own eyes rather than depending on positive word of mouth alone. Remember, when it comes to tradespeople, friendships are no guarantee of results where professional work is required on your property.
However, if you still like to get recommendations from loved ones, ensure you authenticate every recommendation you receive from them. Avoid treating their word as gospel, and always carry out the proper checks, as we stressed in the prior heading.
Analyse the Carpenter’s Soft Skills
Carpenters are highly skilled, but they’re also people like anybody else! Therefore, it may be important to you that they’re respectful, courteous, and generally behave themselves.
One of the best ways you can secure those assurances is by orchestrating an interview. You could try to arrange this face-to-face, but it’s recommended that you don’t out of respect for the carpenter’s time. Instead, consider asking for a virtual meeting, which is perhaps more ideal for all parties involved.
You can ask them about many of the matters we’ve outlined during this time. However, one of the main purposes of the discussion is to determine their soft skills. Are they good communicators that answer your questions clearly? Do they embrace your ideas and respect the vision you have for your project? Can they problem-solve with acute attention to detail? How professional do they seem to be?
Heed the same instincts that you might feel when meeting anybody else. If you don’t like the carpenter, then their skills don’t matter – you’ll need to find someone who fits your personality better, especially if the project is long-term. Try not to view this as being petty, as all of these things can influence how well your teamwork is, which can affect the overall finish of the carpentry work.
Seal the Deal with a Contract
You might have a carpenter you like, but you haven’t truly chosen them until you’ve put pen to paper and signed the contract. So, keep that in mind.
There’s still time to change your mind as you review the paperwork. Clarify any final signs you might have. Double-check everything to ensure it’s consistent with all you’ve discussed with them. If you like what you see, sign the dotted line!
