What is the difference between a carpenter and a general contractor?

A carpenter performs the carpentry work itself. A general contractor manages a project end to end and hires trades, including carpenters, when a job spans several skills.

Do I need a permit for built-in shelving or trim?

Usually not. Permits generally apply to structural changes, new openings, decks and anything that alters framing or egress.

Carpentry

Carpentry splits roughly into two kinds of work. Rough carpentry is structural: framing walls, floor systems, stairs and roof structure. Finish carpentry is what you see: trim, baseboards, doors, stair rails, shelving and built-ins.

Many carpenters specialize in one or the other, and the difference matters when you hire. A framing crew that is excellent at structure is not necessarily the right choice for a fireplace surround, and the reverse is equally true.

A roofer on a ladder working on a suburban home while another tradesperson carries tools across the lawn

Availability

Hire Best Pros is not connecting people with carpentry professionals yet. This page is here as background reading while we work on it. Everything we do cover today is listed in our service directory.

What people usually need

Trim, baseboards, casing and crown molding
Custom shelving, built-ins and window seats
Interior and exterior door installation
Stair treads, risers and handrails
Framing repairs, wall openings and headers
Deck framing, pergolas and outdoor structures

What to weigh before hiring

Match the carpenter to the work

Ask directly whether the person does mostly rough or finish work, and ask to see photographs of a project like yours. Finish carpentry is judged on joints, reveals and paint-ready surfaces, and that is visible in past work.

Materials and who supplies them

Clarify whether the quote includes materials, what grade of lumber or trim is assumed, and who pays for waste and returns. Species and profile choices move the price more than most people expect.

Structural work needs permits

Removing or altering a load-bearing wall, changing stairs or adding a deck usually requires a permit and sometimes an engineer's letter. Confirm who pulls the permit before work starts.

Common questions

What is the difference between a carpenter and a general contractor?: A carpenter performs the carpentry work itself. A general contractor manages a project end to end and hires trades, including carpenters, when a job spans several skills.
Do I need a permit for built-in shelving or trim?: Usually not. Permits generally apply to structural changes, new openings, decks and anything that alters framing or egress.