A carpenter using a circular power saw for cutting wood

Joiner vs. carpenter: What’s the difference?

Comparing joiners and carpenters based on cost, expertise, and more

Hire a joiner or carpenter

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Key Facts

  • A joiner is a woodworking expert specializing in interlocking small building components and applying fine techniques to create intricate designs and precise fittings for furniture and frames.
  • A carpenter is a wood craftsman with vast knowledge and experience in larger, more complex projects. These include installing, repairing, and replacing roofing, floors, and stairs.


Do you also get confused between joiners and carpenters? You are not alone. The US hardly makes a distinction between them, especially since they both work with timber products. In the process, they sound like the same job in the construction industry.

However, as a homeowner who might have specific requirements for the renovation or construction, knowing a joiner vs. a carpenter matters. Who should you pick if you want a more ornate baseboard trim? How about if you want to install parquet flooring? Read this joinery vs. carpentry guide to know the answers.

What is a joiner?

a joiner using a screwdriver

What is the meaning of joinery? What do joiners do? As its name suggests, a joiner is a skilled craftsman who connects or joins wood to create or complete building components. These range from studwork to door and window frames and fitted kitchens.

They are artistic with a keen eye for detail, which is reflected in their architectural millwork, particularly molding, paneling, and trimming.

What is a carpenter?

a carpenter using a tape measure

What do carpenters do? Their work encompasses a broad range of tasks. Usually, these include creating architectural details and erecting buildings’ structural components.

They construct, repair, and install more complex and larger building elements on site, such as roof trusses and floors. Unlike joiners, carpenters are commonly involved in various stages of a construction project, from the initial framing to the final finishing touches.

Joiner vs. carpenter: Which is better for your needs?

two artisans in a carpentry workshop

The definitions above might help clarify the distinctions between these two disciplines, but they are often not enough to help you choose. For example, who should build your furniture? Should they work together on the project? And how much does each cost? Read on to answer these questions.

In terms of project scope

The biggest difference between a carpenter and a joiner is their project scope. Carpenters deal with the more complicated and larger elements; joiners focus on the small but intricate ones.

With this in mind, a carpenter installs building structures on construction sites, such as roofs, partition walls, and skirting boards. Carpentry also involves installing floors, fixing windows, and creating staircases.

Meanwhile, joiners handle door and window frames and fitted furniture like tables and chairs. They take care of anything that involves gluing, fastening, or integrating smaller pieces of wood.

In many instances, though, carpenters and joiners work together. For instance, a carpentry expert would remove a house’s old kitchen tops and cabinets, while a joiner would build new shelves and doors. Joinery specialists might design a specific roofing element to complete or strengthen the truss.

Recommendation: For general woodwork, hire a carpenter. Otherwise, you likely require a joiner.

In terms of tool and material range

a carpenter holding a pencil

These two professions can also differ in the tools and materials they use. Because joiners deal with more intricate work, they need more hand tools such as chisels, sanding wheels, circular saws, hammers, and drills. They also use wood routers for defining decorative edges or building bespoke furniture and molding.

On the other hand, carpenters use the same hand and power tools but operate large machinery. They also deal with other materials, like metal fasteners, nails, and screws.

Recommendation: A carpenter would be the appropriate choice if the project involves structural components like framing or roofing. For those requiring custom furniture or intricate finishes, get a joiner.

In terms of training and skill level

Carpenters and joiners possess distinct skills and training within the construction trades:

  • A good joiner specializes in woodworking techniques. Their job demands a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail because they must meet exact specifications and ensure a perfect fit.

  • Carpenters often work on larger projects requiring a deep understanding of structural integrity and load-bearing capacities.

Aspiring joiners and carpenters require almost the same training. Usually, they must have a high school or a GED diploma before they can become an apprentice. This on-the-job training is about three to four years. They can shorten it if they finish at least an associate degree in carpentry, typically in a vocational or trade school. 

Certifications, which they can obtain from industry organizations such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, are optional. However, they increase their market value.

Recommendation: Consider that both jobs require different skill levels. A joiner is more trained in intricate, detailed work than carpenters. However, the latter is better at building structures.

In terms of finish quality 

a carpenter marking a cabinet

Many factors affect the finish quality of these two trades. These include the wood used, the preferred finish, and the craftsman’s skills.

Overall, though, joiners usually have a higher finish quality than carpenters. Because precision matters, they take more time to create a smooth, flawless look for the wooden fixtures.

With carpentry, the structural integrity and assembly of larger elements precede everything else. In certain situations, finish quality is the last on the list, especially when pressed for time or short on budget.

Recommendation: With finish quality, your choice between joinery and carpentry depends on your priorities. Do you value a flawless look, or are you more practical with your resources? What types of work matter more to you?

In terms of service cost

At over $165 per hour, most carpenters are usually more affordable to hire than joiners. As mentioned, the latter possess more specialized skills. The job also demands more time and effort to conceptualize and complete, especially since they normally work in a small workshop. 

However, carpenters can also work on large projects and structures so that they can quote for nearly $300 per hour.

Recommendation: Joiners are often more expensive than carpenters unless the latter’s job is extensive, involving heavy equipment, collaboration with other professionals, and a lot of time. 

In terms of availability

Three young carpenters working on a roof

You are likely to find more carpenters than joiners for the following reasons:

  • Carpentry is easier to get into than joinery.

  • Not all new-building or renovation projects require a joiner.

  • With more construction sites in the US, you might also see more carpenters work.

However, the demand for joiners could increase. The market size for custom furniture, for example, could achieve a compound annual growth rate of 12.21% until 2028. It could be because people want a more personalized look for their properties or bespoke remodeling to increase their house’s market value.

Recommendation: Allot more time when looking for a joiner.

Achieve your dream home with Airtasker

a man placing a plank of wood in a deck

Should you go for a carpenter or a joiner? It all depends on many factors, including what matters most to you. Regardless of your choice, you can use Airtasker to find a competent woodworker in only three steps:

  1. Open a free account.

  2. Create a task with all the essential details. Examples are your budget, timeline, and preferred kind of woodwork.

  3. Post a task and wait for proposals and quotes from Taskers. You can also narrow down your options or contact your preferred professional directly.

Wood is a challenging material to work with. Whether you want a joiner, a carpenter, or both, hire the best through Airtasker.

Joiner vs. carpenter


Joiner
Carpenter
Project Scope
Usually deals with smaller woodworking projects
Handles bigger, more complex projects
Tool and Material Range
Work often with hand and power tools
Can deal with heavy or big machinery
Training and Skill Level
Specializes in ornate woodworking, such as molding and paneling
Trained in a broad range of wood-based tasks
Finish Quality
Needs to produce woodwork with an excellent finish
Prioritises structural integrity rather than finish quality
Service Cost
Often more expensive to hire than carpenters
Is cheaper but could charge over $1,000 for a big project


FAQs on joiners and carpenters

Although joinery and carpentry are wood-based construction trades, they are not interchangeable. A joiner does more intricate work than a carpenter, trained with larger, more complicated projects.

Whether you hire a carpenter or joiner for bespoke woodwork depends on the specific task. They might share similar skills, but you need a joiner if you want more ornate or precise details.

A joiner might avoid using metal fasteners, screws, and nails because they can be unattractive and detract from the overall appearance of the finished product. Also, brads and other small nails might be too weak to hold joints under much stress. Lastly, metal dowels or fasteners can expand and contract at a different rate than wood, causing the joint to loosen over time.

Joinery work can vary widely. Although most are general joiners, others specialise in staircases, fitted floors, and frames of doors and windows.

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