What Is a Framing Carpenter and Why You Should Hire One

Have you ever heard of a framing carpenter or a framing contractor? This is a professional carpenter that is skilled in building the "skeleton" of your home, meaning the frames that showers, closets, and things like this are built around. Because a framing carpenter’s job is so technical, it is important to find the best pro for the job. This is to keep your home-building project going smoothly and ensure that the structural integrity of your home is not compromised. A good framing contractor will ensure that a home's entire structure is strong in all areas.

In other words, hiring a framing carpenter is often a smart and safe choice when you are building a new home. No matter how much of a handyperson you are, we all need an expert’s eye from time to time, and a framing carpenter might just fit the bill. Especially considering that your house’s bones are the most important factor for ensuring a sturdy foundation to last a lifetime.

What Is a Framing Carpenter?

Framing carpenters specialize primarily in building the structure of wooden homes.

Quite simply, a framing carpenter is a person with a specialization in framing for houses and other structures. Although their name implies that they only work with wood, framing carpenters can work with all manner of materials used in structural framings, such as different metals. 

In a home construction project, a framing carpenter is responsible for coordinating with builders and contractors on-site to ensure the framing and structure of your home are properly put together. As you might imagine, all of this needs to happen quickly to prevent major delays in the project, but it also needs to be done safely. 

The typical framing carpenter charges around $19 per hour and you can expect to pay up to $16 per square foot for framing materials. Generally, you will get a better idea of exactly how much things will cost if you have a complete housing framing diagram drawn out beforehand. In addition to having an associate’s degree in carpentry, most framing carpenters have completed a carpentry apprenticeship. This means that they get real-life experience on the job, allowing them to obtain a wealth of concrete, applicable knowledge.  

What Can a Framing Carpenter Do? 

The structural integrity of your home is a paramount priority for a qualified framing carpenter.

Let's look at some examples of when and where you should consider using a house framing contractor. If you are going to add closets or a bathroom to the home, they need to assist with the frames for these items. Adding walls, if not done properly and with the proper support, makes for flimsy walls that are vulnerable to natural disasters and could even suffer damage through everyday use. Framing contractors can also help with less complex jobs such as fencing. 

A framing contractor is concerned with more than just the cosmetics of such jobs but can ensure that the structure is protected and the integrity of the home is not compromised. This can include ensuring that your framing is free from possible moisture ingress, verifying that the framing will be able to safely bear the weight of the structure, and ensuring that the house framing diagram adheres to building code norms. 

A framer must also check that the framing of your home does not obstruct doors, windows, plumbing, HVAC vents, or electrical wiring that will be installed in the later stages of the project. After all, nobody wants to get most of the way through a project only to discover that your new home’s doors won’t fit where they’re supposed to. 

Why Hire a Framing Contractor? 

Framing carpenters coordinate with contractors and builders to make your house framing diagram a reality.

It's also critical to work properly around heat sources when framing a house. This can mean the chimney, the furnace, hot water heater, and so on. A frame that is too close to these sources can pose a fire hazard and especially so if the proper materials are not used. Putting something up against a wall like this which is not properly constructed can also pose a hazard as well. A framing contractor can make sure these types of projects are done properly and safely.

Just about any remodeling job should include the services of a framing contractor. Certainly, you would not want to remove a load-bearing wall or beam when framing a house. Framing carpenters can advise on this before your home gets damaged by a bad decision. 

Another advantage of working with this type of professional is that they are usually educated on the latest energy-efficient materials and methods of building. This means saving on your heating and cooling costs, but also doing what you can to protect the environment. There are many reasons to consider a framing contractor for your remodeling projects and their services are worth it in the long run.

What to Look At When Hiring a Framer 

It is important to check that your framing carpenter holds all the relevant certificates and is experienced.

Whether you’re building a house or getting your HVAC serviced, it is important to do your due diligence so you can be sure you hire the best people for the job. Investing time to search for the best-qualified framing carpenter is well worth it as it will allow you to avoid cost overruns and other unpleasant surprises. 

When it comes to hiring someone to work on the structure of your house, you want people you can trust and rely upon. This is a matter not only of convenience but of safety as well. 

With a complete framing design you can get reliable quotes for your framing carpenter contract.

Do a Background Check

The internet allows us to access all sorts of information that is very useful for making a good decision. To find a qualified framer, you want to look for framing carpenters that have good experience and training. By experience, we mean someone with a carpentry associate’s degree from a technical school. However, additional experience is also a big asset. 

Most contracting companies will conduct additional training so that their technicians can earn additional certification. If your prospective framing carpenter has these certificates this is a good sign that they have gone through a good deal of additional training. Previous on-the-job experience is another must. When you are considering a company or technician we encourage you to ask them questions such as what previous jobs they did, how big those jobs were, etc. 

Finally, referrals are another essential part of a background check. If you can, get in touch with previous clients and ask them if they would recommend the framing carpenter. You can ask the framing carpenter to provide contacts for these references. Alternatively, you can also read reviews if they are available. 

Licensing and Insurance

For liability purposes, it is crucial that you only hire framing carpenters who are licensed and insured per the laws of your state. This is not just about obeying the law, but also about protecting yourself as a consumer. If something goes wrong or your carpenter makes a mistake you will have far less legal recourse if they are uninsured and lack the proper licensing. 

Good communication ensures that your home-building project is a complete success.

In most states, a general contracting license is required, but this can vary. We recommend checking with your state licensing board to determine which licenses are required so you know which ones to look for. For insurance, it is a good idea to only hire technicians that have comprehensive liability coverage. 

Sealing the Deal

Once you have chosen a framing carpenter, it’s time to draw up a contract and agree on a payment schedule. A rule of thumb for this and other technicians is that you agree to pay one-third of the money at the start of the project, pay the rest in installments, and then make the final payment when the project is done. 

Keep in mind that if you choose to hire the framing contractor directly you will have to handle all the paperwork and payments. However, having a general contractor can make this easier since this will then be their responsibility.