How Much Does a Carpenter Cost? — United States

Carpentry costs depend heavily on whether you need rough carpentry (framing, structural) or finish work (trim, cabinets, built-ins). US carpenters charge $40–$100 per hour, with most projects costing $500–$5,000+. Polish carpenters charge PLN 50–150 per hour, and Dutch carpenters €40–€80 per hour. Custom and fine carpentry can be significantly more expensive.

Average carpentry costs by project

Job type	Typical cost (USD)
Crown molding installation	$500–$2,000
Door installation (interior)	$150–$500 per door
Door installation (exterior)	$500–$1,500
Custom shelving/built-ins	$1,000–$5,000+
Cabinet installation	$2,000–$8,000
Deck building (wood)	$4,000–$15,000
Deck building (composite)	$6,000–$20,000
Framing (per wall)	$500–$2,500
Window frame repair	$200–$600
Stair building/repair	$1,000–$5,000+

Sources: HomeAdvisor 2025 cost data, Angi service pricing reports.

What affects the cost?

• Type of carpentry — finish/trim work requires more precision and costs more per hour than framing
• Material — hardwoods (oak, walnut) cost 2–5x more than softwoods (pine, spruce) or engineered products
• Custom vs. prefabricated — custom cabinets and built-ins require design time and skilled labor
• Complexity — curves, angles, and intricate joinery add to labor hours
• Permits — structural work (removing walls, adding decks) typically requires permits
• Access and demolition — removing old work before installing new adds cost

Carpenter costs in the United States

US carpenters charge $40–$100 per hour depending on specialization and location. Rough carpenters and framers are at the lower end ($40–$60); finish carpenters and cabinet makers charge $60–$100+. Major metro areas command the highest rates. For deck building, expect to pay $15–$35 per square foot for wood and $25–$50 for composite materials.

For large projects, carpenters provide flat-rate quotes based on plans. Always verify the carpenter is insured and, for structural work, check that they pull proper permits.

Carpenter costs in Poland

Polish carpenters charge PLN 50–150 per hour depending on the type of work. Simple shelving and door installation costs PLN 200–800 per item. Custom kitchen cabinets run PLN 8,000–25,000+ depending on materials and size. Poland has a strong tradition of skilled woodworking, and custom furniture makers (stolarze meblowi) offer excellent value compared to Western European prices.

For larger projects, agree on scope and materials in writing. Many carpenters will source materials directly, but you can often save by purchasing materials yourself.

Carpenter costs in the Netherlands

Dutch carpenters (timmermannen) charge €40–€80 per hour inclusive of BTW. Interior door installation costs €200–€500 per door; custom built-in wardrobes run €2,000–€6,000+. Deck building with tropical hardwood (a Dutch favorite) costs €80–€150 per m².

Dutch carpenters often specialize — some focus on kitchens, others on outdoor structures or restoration. For monument properties (rijksmonument), use a carpenter experienced in heritage restoration to comply with Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed guidelines.

How to save on carpentry costs

• Choose standard dimensions — custom sizes cost more than off-the-shelf
• Use softwood or engineered products — pine, MDF, and plywood are much cheaper than hardwood
• Handle demolition yourself — removing old shelves, trim, or cabinets saves labor hours
• Get detailed quotes — compare material and labor costs separately
• Bundle multiple jobs — having one carpenter handle doors, trim, and shelving in one visit is cheaper