what is a carpenter?
A carpenter's job is to design, build or repair the wooden elements of a building. From custom cabinets and doors to structural support beams for staircases, carpenters provide skilled labour in construction but primarily work with natural materials like timber and wood.
Working with wood, you help add personality and warmth to homes and public areas. For instance, bespoke wall panelling, custom-created furniture and unique finials can enhance the beauty of interior spaces. A carpenter uses skills to turn a functional requirement like bookshelves into a decorative feature. Your projects will vary depending on the employer, whether you are working on commercial or residential buildings.
As a carpenter, your expertise in designing bespoke furniture and wood items also increases your employment prospects. For instance, you can work for furniture production companies and be part of the creative team that produces unique items for sale.
carpenter roles availableaverage salary of a carpenter
The average salary of a carpenter in New Zealand is $59,690 per year. The starting hourly wage is typically $27 and can reach $50. The remuneration package usually depends on your specialisation and the complexity of your role. As with most trade jobs, your salary and benefits depend on your work hours. Expanding your knowledge in complementary skill sets, such as design, will make you more valuable to an employer.
what factors affect the salary of a carpenter?
Your salary as a carpenter varies depending on your employer and whether you work full-time or part-time. Are you working for a Housing industry association contractor or a well-established home developer? Significant housing developments require complementary skills and specialisation for quality work. Hence, the salary will reflect the specialisms and expert skills. A small family-run furniture shop has minimal qualification requirements and less pay, but it's an exciting opportunity to grow your skills with greater creative freedom. If you have woodworking specialisms, like historical restoration or antique repair, your remuneration package is significantly better than an apprentice with entry-level skills. Additionally, the location, local economy, and willingness to travel can impact your salary.
types of carpenters
If you want to be a successful carpenter, explore jobs in a specialism that may not be as common. Some of those carpentry roles include:
- Heritage carpenter: you can train in heritage carpentry if you love working with antiques or restoring historic buildings. As a heritage carpenter, you may find yourself rebuilding, restoring and renovating historic buildings using the materials and techniques used when designed initially.
- Set designer: did you know you can work as a carpenter in the film and theatre industry? You may even see your work on the big screen if the sets and props you worked on are used in production.
- Shopfitting carpenter: retailers often want to create unique spaces by adding designer fittings to match their brand's style. Shopfitters install fittings and shelves made from natural materials.
- Furniture designer: if you are creative, furniture design is an appealing career path in carpentry. Your job is to create furniture from scratch, from cabinets and wardrobes to chairs and tables.
- Formwork carpenter: as a farmworker or a formwork carpenter, you are responsible for constructing shuttering and false walls in buildings. Sometimes, you have to use concrete to make moulds and false walls.
- Cabinet carpenter: a cabinet carpenter is a carpenter who specializes in creating and installing cabinets. Cabinet carpenters use various tools to build cabinets, including saws, routers, and sanders. They also install cabinets, making sure that they are level and secure.
- Trim carpenter: a trim carpenter is a carpenter who specializes in creating and installing trim and moulding in homes and other buildings. Trim carpenters often have a wide range of skills, including the ability to install cabinets, doors, and windows.
- Framer: a framer is a carpenter who specializes in creating the wooden framework for a building.
- Ship carpenter: a ship carpenter is a carpenter who specializes in building and repairing wooden ships.
working as a carpenter
Are you wondering what it's like to work as a carpenter? The role involves working with wood and using your creativity to create unique pieces of furniture. Let's look at the daily tasks you might undertake and what your work schedule might involve.
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duties and responsibilities
While the specific tasks depend on the project or employer, you can expect an exciting working day. Some of the duties and responsibilities to expect include:
- Creating and interpreting plans: before commencing a project, drawing plans for the fixtures or furniture is vital. However, the contractor often provides methods generated from Computer-Aided Design (CAD). When you have the CAD drawings, your job is to interpret the procedures before the work begins.
- Measuring and cutting materials: since wood materials range from cheap recycled wood products to expensive hardwood, you need to pick suitable wood and measure accurate dimensions for the project. Your job also involves cutting and shaping the materials for the furniture you want to create using hand tools, cutting machines or power tools.
- Fitting and installation: if you are working on fixtures and fittings, you design the structural elements and install them in residential homes or offices. For instance, you can create and design a wardrobe and fit it in the bedroom.
- Repairs and restoration: as a carpenter, you assist your clients in repairs and restoration. The repairs may involve restoring historical buildings, which requires traditional skills to construct wooden elements in yesteryears to preserve the original beauty. Aside from remodelling, your job also entails repairing antiques and incorporating contemporary features to protect them.
- Assessing risks and liaising with other trades: before commencing a contract, completing a risk assessment and safety check documentation is essential. Your work may also include liaising and partnering with other skilled tradespeople like plumbers and electricians.
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work environment
Carpenters usually work in construction, mining, and many other sectors. In the private sector, watch out for jobs in housing developments, TV and Film companies, theatres, retail outlets and residential homes. You may work with historic buildings, hospitals or schools in the public sector.
Regardless of the industry, the work environment is usually flexible, and you may get the opportunity to work alongside many other skilled workers daily. While drawing plans require an office setting, some projects may be outdoors. Some employers provide a workshop, while others require you to be on site.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include joiners, electricians, fitters and interior designers.
You might also be working close to construction project managers and, project coordinators, project managers, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, architects, cost estimators and painters.
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work schedule
As a carpenter, your employer might expect you to commit between 40 and 45 hours weekly for a full-time position. When project deadlines are looming, you may need to work extra hours. Evenings and weekends are also necessary when work doesn't allow working during the day. For example, you must wait until after-school hours when working in a school classroom.
Part-time jobs are available in carpentry, but work schedules depend on the employer and industry. For example, a homeowner could need a carpenter to ensure that the building is appropriately maintained, but they might only require you on-site once a week to handle minor repairs. Being a carpenter also involves regular travel to project sites, especially if you provide services to clients in residential homes and commercial buildings.
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job outlook
Being a carpenter is a fulfilling career and a springboard to a managerial role in the construction industry. With extra qualifications and experience, you can opt to become a construction manager and oversee large projects. If you specialise in one aspect of carpentry, you will become a master craftsman.
Aside from career progression, carpentry jobs have consistent demand in New Zealand due to the wide range of job roles like heritage carpentry, shop fitting and set design. The projected job growth for carpenters between 2020 and 2025 is 8.1%, which means carpenters have numerous opportunities.
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advantages of finding a carpenter job through randstad
Finding your carpenter job through Randstad provides essential advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of options in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a carpenter is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent career. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary position found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
education and skills
The educational qualifications required to become a carpenter depend on your area of specialisation and the complexity of your role.
Most people join the field through apprenticeships, while others may choose to enrol in a pre-apprenticeship course.
- Apprenticeships: you need on-site study and training to perfect your skills and techniques in learning carpentry. When you complete NCEA Level 2 or an equivalent qualification, you can start your internship with a carpenter or construction company. Unlike training courses, an apprenticeship provides hands-on experience since your employer expects you to do some of the work. The traineeship usually takes four years, and you learn how to prepare various types of furniture and repair damaged structures in buildings. The Building and construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO) manages carpentry apprenticeships.
- Certification: to become a certified carpenter, you should complete a New Zealand Certificate in Carpentry (Level 4). You will need this qualification, or an equivalent version to become a licensed building practitioner.
skills and competencies
As well as educational qualifications, you need technical and soft skills to advance in carpentry.
these skills include:
- Creativity: were you bursting with creativity when you were growing up? Being a carpenter requires problem-solving skills and innovativeness to overcome challenges you may face. This creativity can also be used to design bespoke furniture or interior furnishings.
- Attention to detail: if you have a keen eye for detail, you will do well in carpentry. Attentiveness ensures you don't miss your customers' specifications and produce high-quality work. Attention to detail also ensures the job is completed efficiently within the stipulated budget.
- Numeracy: mathematical skills come in handy when measuring and cutting wood, minimising wastages or estimating project costs.
- Leadership: if you are the lead carpenter, you need leadership skills to manage on-site teams and apprentices. Leadership skills also help you motivate your team and provide clear instructions on steps for undertaking the project.
FAQs about working as a carpenter
Here are the most asked questions about working as a carpenter:
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who is considered a carpenter?
A carpenter is anyone who builds or creates items using wood or timber. Whether you design antiques, create furniture or install wardrobes and wooden staircases in homes, you are a carpenter.
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what do you do as a carpenter?
You create the wooden elements in construction sites and finish interior spaces with wood furnishings. You are also responsible for repairs, remodelling cabinets and restoring heritage buildings.
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is carpentry a good job in New Zealand?
Carpentry is skilled work that requires specialised skills. Carpenters are in high demand since they are involved in constructing and repairing residential buildings or furniture made from wood.
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is becoming a carpenter worth it?
Carpenters earn an average salary of $59,690 annually and enjoy various allowances. Not to mention carpenters use their creativity to build ornamental pieces. It is a rewarding career with great growth opportunities.
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how do I apply for a carpenter vacancy?
Applying for a carpenter job is easy:
- create a Randstad profile and search our carpenter job offers.
- Then send us your CV and cover letter.
Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
