Price Guide

How Much Does a Carpenter Really Cost?

Compare prices for 14 services across 342 UK locations. Data-driven pricing updated for .

14 services priced 342 cities covered Updated

National pricing

Carpenter Prices

National average prices. Select a city below for local pricing.

All prices include materials and labour unless stated otherwise. Prices verified 2026

Fit an Internal Door

Low

£70

Average

£120

High

£200

1.5-2.5 hours

More details

Hanging a new internal door into an existing frame. Includes trimming to fit, installing hinges and a handle. Price is per door, labour only — door not included.

~21% labour, ~79% materials

What affects the price

  • Door type (hollow core, solid, fire door)
  • Whether the frame needs adjusting or replacing
  • Fitting new ironmongery (handles, latches)
  • Accessibility and condition of the opening

Fit an External Door

Low

£150

Average

£250

High

£400

2-4 hours

More details

Installing a new external door including fitting locks, handles and weatherproofing. Price is labour only — door not included. Replacing the frame adds to the cost.

~48% labour, ~52% materials

What affects the price

  • Door material (timber, composite, UPVC)
  • Whether the frame needs replacing
  • Lock and security hardware requirements
  • Weatherproofing and draught sealing

Fit a Staircase

Low

£1,500

Average

£3,000

High

£5,500

2-4 days

More details

Removing an old staircase and installing a new one. Includes the side panels, steps, upright posts, handrail, and spindles. Price depends heavily on design — a simple straight staircase is much cheaper than an L-shaped or spiral one.

~50% labour, ~50% materials

What affects the price

  • Staircase style (straight, L-shaped, spiral)
  • Material (softwood, hardwood, glass balustrade)
  • Whether structural work is needed
  • Building regulations compliance

Build Fitted Wardrobes

Low

£1,200

Average

£2,500

High

£5,000

2-4 days

More details

Designing and building custom fitted wardrobes to fill an alcove or wall. Includes the frame, shelving, hanging rails, doors, and finishing. Price is per wardrobe unit.

~52% labour, ~48% materials

What affects the price

  • Size and number of sections
  • Door style (sliding, hinged, shaker)
  • Internal configuration (drawers, shoe racks, lighting)
  • Material and finish quality

Skirting Board Replacement (Per Room)

Low

£150

Average

£250

High

£400

3-5 hours

More details

Removing old skirting boards and fitting new ones around a room. Includes cutting neat angles at the corners and fixing to the wall. Price is per average-sized room.

~62% labour, ~38% materials

What affects the price

  • Room size and number of corners
  • Skirting board profile and height
  • Material (MDF, softwood, hardwood)
  • Whether walls need making good after removal

Laminate or Wood Flooring (Per Room)

Low

£300

Average

£600

High

£1,000

1 day

More details

Laying laminate or engineered wood flooring in a standard room. Includes the cushioned layer underneath, cutting to fit, and finishing with neat trim around the edges. Price per average room of around 15 square metres.

~46% labour, ~54% materials

What affects the price

  • Room size and shape complexity
  • Flooring type and quality
  • Subfloor condition and preparation needed
  • Whether old flooring needs removing first

Loft Boarding

Low

£400

Average

£750

High

£1,200

1 day

More details

Boarding out a loft space for storage using chipboard or plywood on raised legs to maintain insulation depth. Price is for around 10-15m2 of boarding.

~63% labour, ~37% materials

What affects the price

  • Area to be boarded
  • Whether raised leg systems are needed for insulation
  • Loft access and headroom
  • Adding a loft ladder and light

Shelving and Storage Build

Low

£150

Average

£350

High

£600

3-6 hours

More details

Building and fitting custom shelving or storage solutions such as alcove shelves, floating shelves or a pantry unit. Price depends on size and complexity.

~64% labour, ~36% materials

What affects the price

  • Number of shelves and span length
  • Wall type (brick, stud, plasterboard)
  • Material (MDF, solid wood, plywood)
  • Whether it includes doors or drawers

Window Frame Repair

Low

£100

Average

£175

High

£300

2-3 hours

More details

Repairing a damaged or rotten wooden window frame. The rotten section is cut out and replaced with new timber, then filled, sanded, and primed ready for painting. Price per window.

~71% labour, ~29% materials

What affects the price

  • Extent of rot or damage
  • Window size and style (sash, casement)
  • Whether the sill also needs replacing
  • Listed building requirements

Bespoke Furniture Piece

Low

£500

Average

£1,500

High

£4,000

3-7 days

More details

Designing and building a one-off piece of furniture such as a bookcase, media unit, window seat or dining table. Price varies hugely based on design and materials.

~43% labour, ~57% materials

What affects the price

  • Design complexity and size
  • Material (pine, oak, walnut, reclaimed wood)
  • Finishing requirements (paint, lacquer, oil)
  • Delivery and installation

Decking Build

Low

£1,000

Average

£1,750

High

£3,000

2-3 days

More details

Building a new wooden or composite deck in the garden, typically 15-20 square metres. Includes the supporting frame, deck boards, and finishing. Steps or railings add to the cost.

~46% labour, ~54% materials

What affects the price

  • Deck size and shape
  • Material (softwood, hardwood, composite)
  • Ground preparation and levelling
  • Steps, balustrades or built-in seating

Stud Wall Partition

Low

£500

Average

£900

High

£1,500

1-2 days

More details

Building a new internal wall to divide a room into two. Constructed from a timber frame covered with plasterboard on both sides, with a smooth plaster finish ready for painting. Includes a doorway. Price is for a standard-sized wall.

~69% labour, ~31% materials

What affects the price

  • Wall length and height
  • Whether a doorway is included
  • Soundproofing or insulation requirements
  • Plastering and finishing (often a separate trade)

Coving and Architrave

Low

£200

Average

£350

High

£550

4-6 hours

More details

Fitting decorative coving where the walls meet the ceiling, and new trim around door frames. Includes cutting neat angles at corners and fixing with adhesive. Price per average room.

~71% labour, ~29% materials

What affects the price

  • Room size and number of corners
  • Coving profile and size
  • Material (polystyrene, plaster, MDF)
  • Number of door frames requiring architrave

Cat Flap Installation

Low

£50

Average

£100

High

£175

1-2 hours

More details

Cutting a hole and fitting a cat or pet flap into a door or wall. Price depends on the door material — timber doors are simpler than glass or UPVC.

~52% labour, ~48% materials

What affects the price

  • Door material (timber, UPVC, glass)
  • Cat flap type (basic, magnetic, microchip)
  • Wall thickness if fitted through a wall
  • Whether a glazing specialist is needed for glass doors

Popular locations

Carpentry Costs by City

London

£85–£250

Birmingham

£65–£185

Leeds

£70–£195

Glasgow

£75–£210

Sheffield

£70–£195

Manchester

£70–£195

Bradford

£60–£175

Edinburgh

£80–£230

Liverpool

£70–£200

Bristol

£75–£215

Coventry

£65–£190

Leicester

£60–£170

Local pricing

Find Carpenter Costs in Your City

Browse all 342 cities for local carpenter pricing.

Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley London
Brighton Milton Keynes Reading Southampton
Bournemouth Bristol Gloucester Plymouth
Colchester Luton Norwich Peterborough
Birmingham Coventry Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton
Derby Leicester Northampton Nottingham
Bradford Leeds Sheffield York
Bolton Liverpool Manchester Warrington
County Durham Middlesbrough Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland
Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Cardiff Swansea
Aberdeen Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow
Belfast

Regional comparison

Fit an Internal Door by City

Average cost of fit an internal door across key UK cities.

London
+24% £150
Manchester
-2% £115
Birmingham
-7% £110
Glasgow
+5% £125
Bristol
+7% £130
Leeds
-3% £115
Cardiff
-2% £120
Belfast
-13% £105

Overview

What Does a Carpenter Do?

A carpenter provides professional services covering doors, staircases, wardrobes, flooring, decking and bespoke woodwork. They handle everything from routine maintenance and inspections to full installations and emergency repairs. Whether you need a small repair or a major project, hiring a qualified carpenter ensures the work is done safely, to code, and to a professional standard.

You should hire a carpenter whenever you need work that requires specialist skills, tools, or qualifications. Many types of carpenter work are regulated and must be carried out by a certified professional. Attempting DIY on regulated work can be dangerous, void your insurance, and create costly problems down the line.

Pricing for carpenter services depends on the complexity of what you need, the options chosen, and where you live in the UK. Simpler services sit at the lower end of the scale, while more involved or premium options will be significantly more expensive. The prices on this page give you a realistic range for each type of service so you know what to expect before getting quotes.

When hiring a carpenter, always get at least three quotes from different tradespeople. Read recent reviews and ask for references. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews. A reputable carpenter will be happy to provide a detailed breakdown of costs and explain exactly what is included in their quote.

Related services

Related Services

Services often needed alongside a carpenter.

Bathroom Fitting UK price guide £4,500–£12,000 Kitchen Fitting UK price guide £3,000–£8,000 Painting & Decorating UK price guide £200–£650 Flooring UK price guide £300–£900 Handyman UK price guide £40–£120 Plastering UK price guide £400–£1,000 Tiling UK price guide £400–£1,200 Builder UK price guide £30,000–£80,000

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about carpenter costs in the UK.

What is the difference between a carpenter and a joiner?
A carpenter works on-site, fitting doors, skirting boards, kitchens and structural timber. A joiner works in a workshop making bespoke items like staircases, windows and fitted furniture. In practice, many tradespeople do both, but the distinction matters for specialist or bespoke work.
How long does it take to fit an internal door?
Hanging a standard internal door in an existing frame typically takes 1-2 hours. If the frame needs replacing or the opening needs resizing, allow half a day. Fitting a new door lining, architrave and door together usually takes 2-3 hours per door.
Is hardwood or softwood better for staircases?
Hardwood (oak, ash, walnut) is more durable and looks premium, but costs significantly more. Softwood (pine, spruce) is the standard choice for most UK homes and can be stained or painted to suit any style. For heavy traffic areas, hardwood treads with a softwood frame is a good compromise.
Should I repair or replace damaged skirting boards?
Small chips and dents can be filled, sanded and repainted. If the skirting is rotten, warped or badly damaged along its length, replacement is more cost-effective. When replacing, try to match the existing profile so the new sections blend in with the rest of the room.
How much does a carpenter charge per day in the UK?
Day rates for carpenters in the UK typically range from £180-£280 per day depending on experience and location. London and the South East are at the higher end. Some carpenters prefer to quote per job rather than per day, which gives you more cost certainty, especially for larger projects.
Can a carpenter fit a kitchen?
Yes, many carpenters are experienced kitchen fitters. Fitting flat-pack kitchens from IKEA or Howdens is a common job. The carpenter handles assembling and installing the units, worktops, and doors, but you will need a plumber for the sink and an electrician for appliance connections.
What is the difference between MDF and solid wood for fitted furniture?
MDF is cheaper, perfectly smooth, and ideal for painted finishes. Solid wood costs more but has a natural grain and greater longevity. For fitted wardrobes and shelving that will be painted, MDF is the standard choice. For visible natural wood finishes like a bookcase or window seat, solid hardwood looks and feels significantly better.
Do I need building regulations approval for a stud wall?
A simple stud wall partition in an existing room does not usually need building regulations approval unless it is a fire-rated wall (such as between a garage and a living space) or affects the structural integrity of the property. If the wall creates a new room that needs a fire escape route, fire safety regulations may apply.
Should I buy my own materials or let the carpenter source them?
Letting the carpenter source materials means they can pick the right quality and spec, and they often get trade prices at timber merchants. If you want to buy your own, confirm exact specifications with the carpenter first — the wrong thickness of board or the wrong type of timber can cause problems during fitting.
How much does a carpenter cost in the UK?
The most common carpenter job, fit an internal door, costs between £70 and £200 nationally, with an average of £120. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials used, and your location within the UK.
What affects carpenter prices?
The main factors are the complexity and scope of what you need, the options and products chosen, and your location. London and the South East are typically 15-35% more expensive than northern regions. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to ensure a fair price.
How do I find a reliable carpenter?
Get at least three quotes from different tradespeople, check recent reviews and references, and ask for a detailed written quote that breaks down all costs before committing. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews.
Do carpenter prices vary by location?
Yes, significantly. London is the most expensive area, with prices typically 20-35% above the national average. The South East is also above average. Northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be 5-15% below the national average. Our city pages show exact local pricing for 342 UK locations.
Do the prices shown include materials?
The prices on this page include all typical costs. However, when getting real quotes, always confirm what is and isn't included. Some tradespeople break out costs separately, while others give an all-in price. Ask for a detailed breakdown before agreeing to any work.
When is the best time to hire a carpenter?
Demand for carpenter services tends to peak in autumn and winter, which can mean longer wait times and higher prices. If your job isn't urgent, booking during spring or summer may get you a better rate and faster availability. Emergency work will always cost more regardless of the time of year.