Carpentry contractors can vary between someone who is "good enough," to someone who is "just right." A reliable carpentry contractor is responsible for framing or finishing a construction project, ensuring quality in the building process, and limiting cost overruns.

Of course, not all commercial carpenters are created equal. Like any company one chooses to do business with, some contract carpenters are skilled professionals, some are well meaning beginners, and some in the carpentry business are the stuff of horror stories. Figuring out which type of company you could be dealing with is the real challenge when it comes to hiring a carpenter.

Still, there are a few things that one can do to improve the chances of finding a legitimate contract carpenter:

1. Understand the project that requires carpentry service.
2. Learn as much as possible about each commercial contractor.
3. Budget for the carpentry service appropriately.

Following these actions will greatly increase one's chances of finding the best carpentry contractors for the job.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Investigate the carpentry contractor

Contractor carpenters are like any businesspeople. Some want to do right by their customers. Some of them, sadly, do not. Unfortunately, it is up to consumers to investigate any commercial carpenters they are considering hiring.

I recommend: Check several different sources to investigate each carpentry company. Check their credit rating and make sure that they do not have any complaints at the local Better Business Bureau. Also, sites like Angie's List rate carpentry services providers may be an option if you are willing to spend a few dollars per month.

Consider a Carpentry Service Contract

There is nothing wrong with treating a carpentry business like any other contractor or freelancer. This means that you should be respectful, but at the same time, there is no harm in getting a contract which spells out the duties and expectations of both parties.

I recommend: Understand your legal rights before you hire a contractor. Once you do, feel free to use a contract like the one from Contractors From Hell. Use the contract to protect yourself from unsavory practices and to let your carpentry contractor know exactly what is expected of him or her.

Do not be afraid to find carpentry contractors online

The Internet can be a fantastic resource for finding local, experienced carpentry contractors in your area. There are countless directories that provide contact information for a given commercial carpenter. However, because the web is an interactive medium, many sites also allow former customers of the carpentry contractors to rate and provide feedback for those they hired.

I recommend: Visit well-known sites likes ServiceMagic.com, which matches commercial carpenters to those looking to hire them. They provide search engines for commercial contractors and online tools to comment on and rank them. Also, Rated People is a clearinghouse for those looking to find carpentry contractors and may be a valuable way to find local contractors.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Expect cost overruns. They are part of commercial carpentry. Expect that the initial estimate will increase by at least 15%.
• •  Be Santa Claus. Make a list and check it twice. Be as detail-oriented as possible when telling a carpentry contractor what you want done. This will avoid misunderstandings and limit cost overruns.
• •  The best way to ensure that one is getting a fair price is to get several bids from different carpentry contractors and compare them with one another.