Carpentry is not as easy as you first think. Woodworking requires a set of skills and delicate hands. Not to mention it also requires knowledge of the many different wood types and uses. Carpentry isn’t a one-size-fits-all craft either. Many carpenters specialize in specific areas.
A finish carpenter goes to work once the structure has been constructed. They are responsible for putting the finishing touches, thus the name of the role. Typically, a carpenter just needs a high school diploma then enters an apprenticeship to become a finish carpenter. There are also vocational courses that can help carpenters in excelling quickly.
But how do you find a Finish carpenter that can get your home looking clean and beautiful? Here are a few things to look out for.
Experience
One of the most important factors of any craft is experience. Especially in a trade such as carpentry, experience gives a carpenter the knowledge and skill for finishing. It also provides the carpenter with soft skills such as communication to make them more well-rounded.
The fact that carpentry is a vocational trade means that it’s very technical and practical. The trade requires that carpenters go under apprenticeship to gain the experience needed for the craft. That’s because carpentry can only be learned by doing things on the job and learning things firsthand. Over the years, they gain a lot of insight into the trade.
Attention to Detail
One way you know you’re getting an experienced carpenter is their attention to detail. Not that it’s any different than other woodworking, but finish carpentry is about finessing down to minute details.
Hand-eye coordination is another important detail. Finish carpentry requires a good sense of visual space and precision. Finding a carpenter that’s detail-oriented can give you the confidence that you’re working with one of the best.
Price
Expensive doesn’t mean quality. And what’s important is that you’re getting value for your money. An experienced carpenter will be costly, but you’ll find that it’s worth every penny. But, many Finish carpenters are affordable but still provide great value. Great carpenters also know how to market themselves. And it helps a lot if you find a carpenter from a directory with reviews.
References
There’s no better review than a personal reference. If someone has personally hired the services of a carpenter, they can tell if the work was up to standard. Reviews can be misleading sometimes because of circumstances and an incomplete picture. But if you know someone who can give a personal reference, you can get the whole story.
Make sure to get a personal reference from someone you trust. That way, you can get both the negative and the positive information. There’s no such thing as a perfect service; at least by getting the complete picture, you’ll be able to decide if the pros outweigh the cons.
Personal Marketing
Whether you’re hiring from a firm or an individual, always do your research. Legitimate finish carpenters are proud of their work and will always take every opportunity to share their portfolios. Especially now in the digital age of social media, you can easily find a Facebook Page or Instagram.
Finish carpenters don’t need to be experts in digital marketing. But at the same time, you still want to check that they put the same attention to detail into their marketing. Often, you can tell a lot of the carpenters by how clean and beautiful their marketing is. In a way, it’s a hint to the workmanship of the Finish carpenter.
Communication
They say that the first impression lasts, and that’s an important statement. From the first contact to the completion of the project, a good carpenter knows how to communicate. It’s an essential soft skill, especially when handling a team. More often than not, a structure will need two or more Finish carpenters, and they need to work together seamlessly.
Of course, many people can attest that sugar-coated words and misleading promises have fooled them. But a good communicator can provide sincerity and assurance from the very start. That’s why it’s essential to try and have a personal conversation with your potential carpenter first, even if it’s just a phone call. It’s much easier to get a read than just through email and messages.
Research
In the end, there is no substitute for research. If you want to get your money’s worth, then you need to put in the time to look for a Finish Carpenter. Just remember, don’t go overboard; otherwise, you’ll never get anything done. Just look around until you have a top 3 or 5 and make your decision from there.
Fortunately, many websites and resources can help you find the Finish carpenter for your project. And there are also many local resources that you can refer to as well.
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