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Carpentry

Carpentry and joinery estimate.

Carpentry and joinery covers everything from roof structures and floor joists to skirting boards, architraves, doors, and kitchen fitting. Accurate pricing depends on the split between first and second fix work, the specification, and site conditions.

Authored by Alexandr Vreme & Maksym Vasylkov
Published July 2026 — Next review July 2027

Who this guide is for

This guide is for carpenters and joiners pricing residential work, homeowners planning new builds or renovations, and main contractors sub-contracting carpentry packages. It covers both first fix (structural framing) and second fix (finishing trim and fittings) across typical UK domestic projects.

Information needed

To prepare an accurate estimate you need to know:

• First fix vs second fix split — which elements are included in each
• Roof structure type — cut roof (rafters and purlins) or trussed roof
• Staircase specification — straight flight, quarter-turn, or winder; newel post and handrail style
• Door schedule — number of doors, type (fire doors, panel, flush), and ironmongery requirements
• Kitchen complexity — straight run, L-shape, island units, and end panels
• Ironmongery specification — handles, hinges, latches, door stops, intumescent strips
• Quality of finish — painted, stained, or natural; hardwood or softwood

First fix carpentry

First fix covers all structural timber work that is covered up by plasterboard and finishes:

• Roof carpentry — rafter installation, truss erection, ridge and hip work (£30–50 per hour or measured rates per m²)
• Floor joists — trimming for stairwells and openings, noggins, herringbone strutting
• Stud partitions — timber framing for internal walls including door openings and lintels
• Stairwell trimming — doubling joists, trimming openings, and fixing trimming rafters at rooflights
• Posi-joist or I-joist flooring systems — typically priced per m² with allowance for service holes

Second fix carpentry

Second fix is the visible finishing work that follows plastering:

• Skirting boards — per linear metre, typically £12–20/m including scribed or mitred joints and fixing
• Architraves — per linear metre, typically £10–18/m around door and window openings
• Doors hung — £40–80 per door including fitting to frame, planing, and lipping adjustment
• Ironmongery fitting — £15–30 per set (handles, hinges, latch, and lock)
• Kitchen fitting — £1,500–4,000 depending on complexity, number of units, and worktop joints
• Staircase installation — £500–1,500 depending on flight type, newel posts, handrails, and spindles

Commonly missed costs

• Door ironmongery cost — handles, hinges, latches, and locks can add £20–80 per door, often excluded from joinery quotes
• Door stops — small but frequently an extra after door hanging
• Drawer runners and hinges for non-standard kitchens — soft-close and full-extension hardware adds significantly to kitchen fitting materials
• Scribing to uneven walls — arris rails and scribed profiles take extra labour in older properties
• Fire door certification requirements — fire doors need intumescent strips, smoke seals, and certified hinges and latches
• Intumescent strips and smoke seals — required for all fire doors and often priced per door as extras
• Making good to existing structure — patching plaster, packing out frames, and adjusting reveals

Miniature worked example

3-bedroom house — second fix carpentry only

12 doors hung (labour only)	£720
Skirting — 120 linear metres	£1,800
Architraves — 80 linear metres	£1,200
Kitchen fitting (average complexity)	£2,500
Total	£6,220

Note: ironmongery and fire door certification not included. Ironmongery for 12 doors would add approximately £360–960 plus materials.

Questions to ask

• Is this first fix, second fix, or both?
• Are fire doors required — which doors need certification?
• Who supplies the ironmongery — included in your quote or client-supplied?
• What skirting profile and height are specified — Ogee, bullnose, or modern square edge?
• Is the kitchen a standard range or a bespoke design with non-standard units?
• Are walls generally straight or will scribing be needed?
• Is the staircase a standard straight flight or a bespoke design with winders and landings?