How much does a carpenter cost?
Updated 19 Oct 2026
Typical cost per day
£150 – £300
A carpenter in the UK typically charges £150–£300 a day, with hourly rates of £30–£50 for shorter work. Most carpentry is priced by the day because the work varies so much — hanging a door, building a stud wall and fitting a run of wardrobes are very different jobs. First-fix and second-fix carpentry are different skill sets, and it is worth knowing which yours needs.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Day rate | £150 – £300 |
| Half day | £80 – £160 |
| Hourly rate | £30 – £50 |
| Hang an internal door | £60 – £120 |
| Skirting or architrave, per metre | £8 – £20 |
| Build a stud wall | £400 – £900 |
| Fitted wardrobes | £800 – £2,500 |
Typical UK guide prices — see the note at the foot of this page.
First fix, second fix and joinery
First-fix carpentry is the structural work that happens before plastering: floor joists, stud walls, roof timbers, door linings, noggins for fixings. It is rougher work in the sense that most of it is hidden, but getting it right determines whether everything after it fits.
Second-fix is everything after plastering: hanging doors, skirting, architrave, ironmongery, staircase parts. It is visible work and it is judged on millimetres, so it takes a different kind of care.
Joinery is a further step — making items rather than fitting them. A joiner making a bespoke unit in a workshop is doing something different from a site carpenter, and is priced differently.
When you ask for quotes, say which you need. A carpenter who is excellent at first fix may not be the right person for a visible staircase repair, and a good one will tell you so.
Day rate or fixed price?
Day rates suit varied or unpredictable work — a list of jobs, a repair where the extent is not visible until something is opened up, or work alongside other trades.
Fixed prices suit defined items: a stud wall of known size, a set number of doors hung, a run of skirting. If the scope is clear, ask for a fixed price and the risk of it taking longer sits with the carpenter.
For fitted furniture, always get a fixed price with a specification. "Fitted wardrobes" spans an enormous range — from painted MDF carcasses to hardwood with soft-close everything — and the price range in the table reflects that. The specification is what makes two quotes comparable.
Ask what materials are included either way. Timber prices have moved a lot in recent years, and quotes that exclude materials can look deceptively keen.
Materials and what to expect
For visible work, ask what grade of timber is being used. Redwood, whitewood, MDF and hardwood all behave differently, take paint differently and cost differently.
MDF is entirely legitimate for painted work — skirting, architrave, wardrobe carcasses — and is often more stable than softwood. It is not a compromise unless it is being sold to you as timber.
For anything structural, the timber should be appropriately graded and, where it is in contact with masonry or exposed, treated.
Ask about fixings and finish too. Whether nail holes are filled, whether joints are mitred or scribed, and whether the carpenter leaves the work ready for a decorator or fully finished, are all reasonable things to agree in advance rather than discover.
How to keep the cost down
Batch the work into one visit. A day of small jobs costs far less than four separate call-outs.
Be clear about the finish you want. "Ready for painting" is cheaper than fully finished, and both are legitimate — just decide before, not after.
Use standard sizes. Off-the-shelf doors, standard skirting profiles and stock timber dimensions are much cheaper than anything requiring machining.
Handle the decorating separately. Carpenters are not decorators, and paying a carpenter's day rate for painting is poor value.
And for fitted furniture, get at least three quotes against the same written specification, since this is where price spreads are widest.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter cost per day?+
£150–£300 a day in the UK, with hourly rates of £30–£50 for shorter jobs. London and the South East sit at the upper end.
How much to hang an internal door?+
£60–£120 per door for a straightforward hang into an existing lining. Fitting new linings, or doors that need trimming to an out-of-square opening, takes longer.
How much do fitted wardrobes cost?+
£800–£2,500 is the usual range, and the spread reflects specification more than size. Get a written spec — painted MDF and hardwood with soft-close runners are very different products.
What is the difference between first fix and second fix?+
First fix is structural work before plastering — studs, joists, linings. Second fix is the visible work after — doors, skirting, architrave, ironmongery. They need different approaches and sometimes different people.
Is MDF acceptable for skirting and wardrobes?+
Yes, and it is often more stable than softwood for painted work. It is only a problem if it is being sold to you as timber.
How much to build a stud wall?+
£400–£900 depending on size, whether a door is included, and insulation or soundproofing. Plastering is usually a separate trade and cost.
Related price guides
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