How do I hire the best general contractor in Boston?
Look for general contractors in Boston by going online, where you can compare their services and online reviews. Do they have a record of happy customers? Do they offer the services you need?
If so, check to make sure that they are current with their license, registration and insurance. You may be able to verify contractors’ licenses by searching online.
Your final step is to gather free estimates. Ask several general contractors in Boston to send you free price quotes so you can hire a contractor that fits within your budget.
How do I find a good carpenter in Boston?
Search online for professional carpenters in the Boston area. You can further narrow your search by looking for a framing contractor, trim or finish carpenter or cabinet maker, depending on your project. Review a handful of online profiles, paying close attention to customer reviews and past project photos.
When you’re almost ready to hire, verify that the carpenter holds the proper credentials for your project in Massachusetts. This might include a home improvement license (for small projects) or a construction supervisor license for large, structural projects.
Your last step is to compare prices. Choose at least three to five carpenters and ask them to send you free cost estimates before you hire anyone.
Who is a carpenter and what do they do?
Carpenters are skilled craftsmen who build things out of wood. Depending on what the carpenter builds, they may be referred to by various names. A framer is a carpenter who puts up the framing on a house. A trim or finish carpenter installs the finishing touches of prefabricated or custom trim and detail work once a house has been built and the walls are up. A furniture maker or woodworker builds furniture — such as tables, beds and dressers — out of wood. A cabinetmaker is a carpenter who builds custom and semi-custom wood cabinets. If you’re having a home built or remodeled, your general contractor will either provide or subcontract the carpentry work for the framing, cabinets and trim. You can hire a carpenter directly to update the trim in your home, build you a piece of custom furniture, or repair or replace your wood cabinets.
Do carpenters build houses?
Carpenters are trained to work with wood. That means that any part of your home that is built of wood is very likely to involve a carpenter. Framing carpenters will put up the wood that makes up the bones of your home. If you’re having a wood floor installed, it may be done by a carpenter — although being a carpenter is not a requirement to install flooring. Trim, baseboards, wainscoting and any other detail work is typically installed by a finish carpenter. The wood boxes of custom cabinets will be built and installed by a carpenter.
Although all of these components in your new or remodeled home are built by carpenters who specialize in building things with wood, a general contractor typically oversees construction of the entire house. If the general contractor is also a carpenter skilled in all these areas, they may well construct your entire home. More often, the general contractor subcontracts out the various building stages to different individuals, including carpenters.
What does a finish carpenter charge per hour?
On average, finish carpenters charge $60 per hour. However, this hourly rate will vary depending on where you live, the scope of the project and other factors. For a more accurate estimate, ask for price quotes from at least three finish carpenters in your area.