Things to know
For bespoke and fitted work, such as alcove shelving, staircase repair, or a run of built-in wardrobes, design and drawing time deserves its own line. It reframes the job as skilled craftsmanship, not "carpentry by the hour." A customer who wants three rounds of design changes before you cut any timber pays for that time instead of it disappearing into your margin.
Timber pricing moves more than most trades' materials, especially for hardwoods like European oak. A note that "timber pricing valid 14 days; significant material price changes may be passed on" protects your margin on jobs with a gap between quoting and starting. It doesn't read as evasive: customers who work with tradespeople regularly already expect this from timber-dependent trades.
Separate workshop labour from on-site fitting, especially for built pieces made off-site and installed later. It's a more accurate reflection of where the time actually goes. It also explains a lead time that might otherwise look unreasonably long to a customer who assumes carpentry starts the day you arrive, not the day you begin building in the workshop.
State the wood movement and finish curing time separately from the build. A hard wax oil finish, for instance, needs time to cure properly before the piece takes normal daily use. A one-line note saves you a callback from a customer who leans a heavy object on a new shelf the day after installation, before the finish has actually hardened.
Typical carpenter line items and UK prices
Indicative ranges, excluding VAT. Rates vary by region (London and the South East run higher) and by job size.
| Item | Unit | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Day rate (carpenter) | per day | £180–£280 |
| Hang internal door (incl. hinges + latch) | per door | £70–£130 |
| Hang FD30 fire door with closer | per door | £150–£300 |
| Fit skirting board | per linear metre | £8–£15 |
| Fitted alcove cupboards + shelves (pair) | per job | £900–£2,000 |
| Stud wall with door opening | per wall | £600–£1,200 |
| Replace stair balustrade | per flight | £600–£1,500 |
Common carpenter jobs and how to price them
- Doors and ironmongery
- Per-door pricing, distinguishing standard and fire doors.
- Fitted furniture
- Fixed price with workshop and on-site days shown separately, plus a design sign-off stage.
- Stud walls and first-fix carpentry
- Day rate or fixed per wall when working with a builder.
- Staircases and balustrades
- Fixed price referencing Part K and the materials specification.
Regulations and certificates to reference
- Building Regulations Part B (fire doors) — doors between an integral garage and the house, and doors on escape routes in loft conversions, usually need to be FD30 fire doors fitted with the right frame, intumescent strips and closers. Note the rating and certification on the quote.
- Building Regulations Part K (stairs and guarding) — new or altered staircases must meet rules on rise, going, pitch (max 42° for private stairs), headroom and balustrade gaps (a 100mm sphere must not pass). Reference them for any stair work.
- Fire door installer certification — third-party schemes such as BM TRADA Q-Mark or FIRAS are increasingly expected by landlords and commercial clients. Name your scheme if you belong to one.
Payment terms carpenters commonly use
- Bespoke furniture: deposit on design sign-off (often 40–50%) to cover timber, balance on fitting.
- Door and trim work: payment on completion.
- Subcontract first/second fix: weekly or per stage, with CIS deducted.
Read more: Invoice payment terms explained · Payment methods to offer clients
VAT and CIS for carpenters
VAT
Standard-rated at 20% once registered. Supplying and fitting goods in a new-build home being constructed can be zero-rated, but bespoke furniture usually cannot — fitted wardrobes are specifically excluded.
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
On-site carpentry for builders is within CIS, so split labour from timber and materials on subcontract invoices.
Making furniture or joinery off-site in your own workshop is manufacturing, which HMRC excludes from CIS; fitting it on site is construction. On a mixed invoice to a contractor, show the workshop-made items and the on-site fitting labour as separate lines, so CIS is only deducted from the fitting labour.
General guidance, not tax advice — check your position with HMRC or an accountant.
Read more: Do I need to charge VAT on my invoices? · What must an invoice include? (UK legal requirements)
What this template includes
- Timber and materials breakdown
- Labour hours by task
- Finishing (sanding, staining, varnish) separated
- Delivery / installation line
- PDF download or tracked share link
Full guide
How to Start a Carpentry Business as a Sole Trader
Frequently asked questions
Yes, where the location needs one — such as between an integral garage and the house, or on a loft-conversion escape route. State the rating, the frame and the hardware so the customer and building control can see it is compliant.
Show design, workshop build, finishing and on-site fitting as separate lines, with the timber species and finish stated. Customers compare against flat-pack, so the breakdown explains the value.
Include one or two revisions in the price and state a rate for further changes after sign-off. Changes once timber is cut are where bespoke jobs lose money.
Part K covers maximum pitch, rise and going, headroom and guarding. A short note that the work complies with Part K reassures customers and inspectors.
For bespoke pieces, yes — list design or drawing time as its own line. It frames the work as skilled craftsmanship, not just labour-by-the-hour.
Add a note like "Timber pricing valid 14 days. Significant material price changes may be passed on." This protects you without scaring the customer.
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