Carpenters: What They Do and When You Need One
First and second fix, joinery and bespoke work — with realistic prices.
4 min read · Updated 2026
Key takeaways
- ›First fix is structural (frames, joists); second fix is finishing (skirting, doors).
- ›Day rates £180–£300; bespoke joinery priced per item.
- ›Book the second-fix carpenter after plastering, not before.
What a carpenter does
Carpenters split into first fix (floors, joists, stud walls, roof timbers, door linings) and second fix (skirting, architrave, doors, staircases, fitted furniture). Joiners make bespoke items in a workshop — windows, doors, staircases — and a site carpenter fits them. For an extension or renovation you usually need a carpenter at both stages.
Typical prices (UK 2026)
- •Hang a door: £80–£150 per door.
- •Fit skirting and architrave: £10–£18 per m.
- •Fit a staircase: £600–£1,500 + the staircase.
- •Carpenter day rate: £180–£300.
- •Bespoke fitted wardrobe: £800–£2,500 each.
Questions to ask and common mistakes
Ask whether they do first and second fix or specialise, and whether they source the timber or you do. Common mistakes: fitting second-fix joinery onto wet plaster (it swells), using untreated timber where moisture is present, and undersizing joists to save money.
- ☐Do you do both first and second fix?
- ☐Will you source the timber, and which grade?
- ☐How will you protect joinery during the build?
- ☐Can I see examples of similar fitted work?
Frequently asked
Carpenter vs joiner?
A joiner makes items in a workshop (doors, staircases); a carpenter fits them on site. Many do both, but for bespoke items a specialist joiner is worth it.
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