What a carpenter does
Carpenters build much of what a project is made of, from wood framing and concrete formwork to stairs, doors, trim and millwork. The title covers very different skills. A residential framer, a commercial formwork carpenter and a finish carpenter working on high-end interiors are not interchangeable, and hiring the wrong specialty can mean rework, slower progress and frustrated site supervisors.
Finch starts each carpenter search by understanding what you build and the standard you expect. We look for candidates who can read drawings, lay out accurately and work safely with power tools and at heights. A good carpenter becomes the person your supervisors rely on to get the structure right, which makes the role one of the most important hires on a construction crew.
Typical responsibilities
- Reading blueprints and drawings to plan layout, measurements and materials
- Framing walls, floors and roofs in wood or light-gauge steel
- Building, setting and stripping concrete formwork
- Installing doors, windows, stairs, trim and finish carpentry
- Checking work for level, plumb and square as it progresses
- Maintaining tools and working safely with saws, nailers and other equipment
Qualifications and credentials
- Solid carpentry experience in the specialty your projects need
- A completed apprenticeship or Skilled Trades Ontario general carpenter certificate of qualification, which many employers prefer
- Working at Heights and WHMIS training
- Own hand tools and, often, a set of basic power tools
- Ability to read drawings and use layout tools accurately
Who hires a carpenter
- General contractors
- Residential and custom home builders
- Formwork and concrete contractors
- Renovation companies
- Millwork and interior finishing firms
Where we recruit carpenter candidates
We fill carpenter roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Carpentry specialty, such as framing, formwork or finishing
- Apprenticeship or certificate status and training history
- Past projects and the role the candidate played on each
- Safety training and how they work around fall hazards
- References from foremen or site supervisors
Interview questions to ask
- Walk me through how you lay out a wall from the drawings.
- What is the most difficult piece of carpentry you have built, and how did you approach it?
- How do you check your work before the next trade comes in behind you?