What does a carpenter cost in 2026?
A carpenter charges £30–60 an hour or £200–350 a day in 2026, with London and the South East above that. Most defined work is quoted as a fixed price instead: £600–1,500 for a fitted wardrobe, £120–250 to hang an internal door, £90–160 per square metre for decking. Materials are usually charged at cost plus 10–20%.
Updated 15 September 2026
First fix, second fix and joinery
First fix is the structural work that gets covered up — stud walls, floor joists, roof timbers, door linings. Second fix is what you see and touch: doors, skirting, architrave, stairs and fitted furniture, where the money goes into joints that stay closed once the heating comes on.
Bespoke joinery is a different trade again, made in a workshop to your dimensions with hardware and finishing costs behind it. A fitted wardrobe made on site by a good second-fix carpenter costs a fraction of a workshop-made one and is the right answer in most houses.
Ask which of the three someone does most weeks, and ask for photographs of that exact type of work rather than a general gallery.
Typical carpentry prices
Labour plus standard materials unless noted. Add VAT where applicable.
| Job | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | £30–60 |
| Day rate | £200–350 |
| Hang an internal door | £120–250 |
| Fit skirting and architrave, per metre | £12–25 |
| Fitted wardrobe, built on site | £600–1,500 |
| Alcove shelving, per alcove | £350–900 |
| Softwood decking, per square metre | £90–160 |
| Stud wall with door, 3 metres | £600–1,200 |
| Loft boarding, per square metre | £25–50 |
Building regulations and planning
Structural work needs building regulations approval: removing or altering a load-bearing wall, forming a new opening, altering joists, and loft conversions. A structural engineer's calculations cost £300–800 and building control fees run a few hundred more. A carpenter who says it isn't needed for a load-bearing wall is one to leave.
Decking generally falls under permitted development if it's under 30cm above ground and covers less than half the garden, but listed buildings and conservation areas have their own rules. Check with the council before ordering timber, not after.
Getting comparable quotes
Write the scope down: timber grade, whether it's paint-grade or hardwood, ironmongery, who makes good and decorates afterwards. Three quotes against the same written scope are comparable; three against a chat in the hallway are not.
A deposit for materials is reasonable, staged payments against milestones are normal, and paying the balance after a walk-round is standard. Check public liability insurance, and confirm whether the price includes VAT.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter charge a day in the UK?
£200–350 a day, or £30–60 an hour for shorter work, with London and the South East above that range. Most carpenters have a minimum half-day charge.
What does a fitted wardrobe cost?
£600–1,500 for a wardrobe built on site in a standard alcove, including doors and hanging rails. Workshop-made bespoke units with sprayed finishes cost considerably more.
Do I need building regulations approval?
Yes for structural work — load-bearing walls, new openings, altered joists and loft conversions. Hanging doors, fitting skirting and building non-structural wardrobes don't need it.
Should the carpenter supply materials?
Usually simpler if they do, at cost plus 10–20%, because they get trade prices and carry responsibility for the timber. Ask for the merchant receipts if you want to see the split.
Describe the job and we'll match you with the right company — free for homeowners.