Woodworker Vs. Carpenter Vs. Contractor (WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?!)

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Woodworker Vs. Carpenter Vs. Contractor (WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?!)

I've noticed over the years that most people seem to think that the words woodworker, carpenter and contractor are interchangeable. But, they describe very different careers and jobs. Here are some brief explanations of each:

Woodworker: Craftspeople who mostly work in a shop setting to build small, high quality projects (which can typically be moved around by hand.) Woodworkers used very specialized tools such as chisels and planes, as well as much larger tools like jointers and drill presses. These tools don't travel well, so woodworkers like to be in their shops working.

Carpenter: Tradespeople who tend to work on job sites and construction sites using mobile tools to build and repair larger structures such as houses, decks, fences, pergolas, etc...Carpenters break down into many categories such as framers, trim carpenters, fence-builders, and more.

Contractor: Typically refers to a "general contractor," which is a professional who knows a good amount about houses, generally has a contractor's license, and hires subcontractors or "subs" to come in a carry out phases of a construction project. Contractors often don't do the work themselves, they just manage the project, then mark up the job costs with a fee of their own.

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Was this a helpful explanation for Woodworker Vs. Carpenter Vs. Contractor (WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?!) Let us know in the comments section!

[mattdg]

Started as an apprentice. Then carpenter. Now I'm a GC. Hope to be able to retire as a woodworker.

[WoodsmokeSelf-Reliance]

A Carpenter from back in the day, like me, wore all 3 hats. My uncle taught me carpentry, then woodworking and as I started my carpentry business in 1980, I wore all three hats. There was no term ‘general contractor’ until the mid-late 80s. In the 90s everyone who worked in construction was suddenly a “contractor.” And the contractors of the era were a joke. Shoddy, half-assed, work. Horrible reputations followed those that claimed to be GCs.

Back to a bygone era, true carpenters knew how to perform every aspect of house building. They were referred to as a Housewright or master house builder. I learned my skills in that arena. I learned carpentry, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and even civil engineering. There were very few specialized tradesmen back in those days. The 80s changed everything, some for he better, but most not for the better. Material quality is sorely lacking today, just for one instance.

[polrbr]

I've been trying to explain the same differences to people for years. Well done.

[dandixon]

👍 thank you, big difference between carpenters and woodworkers, I have been a carpenter all of my life and have done custom trim to perfection as close as it can be, working with wood to the level of woodworking is totally different, I’m trying to get there

[MyUnquenchableThirst]

Another way to think about woodworker is an older term; Joiner. they typically don't use nails and screws, they use joinery.

[natas]

Im an ironworker. Somebody once asked me if i iron clothing all day... i was like 👉 bingo!

[mimosveta]

this was interesting. I'm not native english speaker, so I usually used to say my grandpa was a carpenter. but from your story, it turns out he was mostly woodworker.

[simplycampervanconversions]

Great video I’m using this lock down to start my own woodworking journey. Keep the videos coming they’re really helping me.

[GSchrades]

I know a lot of GC / Contractors that do all carpentry work. Like myself my instance, I call myself a contractor because I have a lot of subs but I do all the carpentry work myself, along with other aspects like flooring, etc etc.
But I like this video because it gives a more solid approach for someone like a homeowner who is looking to get work done for projects. A lot of terms can be thrown around in trades.

[waynesligar]

I've been all 3 and i know exactly what you are saying and now I'm disabled i like woodworking but i have to go very slow, my lower back is messed up

[nathanrocks]

I like that you kept driving home the fact that general contractors DON'T DO THE WORK! They don't. Hell, most of the time they are nowhere to be found.

[kodoan]

40 years ago, Carpenters used to be either "rough" or "finish" carpenters.

Rough carpenters were usually younger, less experienced - the guys laying foundation, framers, roofers, etc.

Drywall and stucco were usually the "experienced" rough carpenters.

Finish carpenters were usually older guys that "graduated" to stuff like trim work, installing cabinets & countertops, etc.

[GregPaxson]

Love the videos. Ive been a union carpenter in manhatten for 10 years specializing in ceilings. My only other job before that was a siding mechanic and window and door installer... also a carpenters job. But I do dable with some woodworking in my garage. Mostly just building tables chairs and cabinets for some side money. Keep the videos coming . I love the short informative style of your stuff. Thank you.

[frenstcht]

"...whom to call...." I heard that! Nice. That's one of those little things that does wonders for one's credibility.

[brucemou]

Contractor: promises job completion 3-6 months before actual completion.

[JohnD-JohnD]

Could take that 1 more step and break down different woodworking skill sets as well. Just because someone is a woodworker, doesn't mean they can make everything.. Takes different tools/skills to make tables vs cabinets vs pens, etc.. My wood shop can make tables, shelves, etc.. but I don't get into making cabinets and doors too much due to the space needed. The tools needed by a woodworker are also MUCH more expensive as well, and the market for hand made things like tables is slim because people don't understand it takes 40+ hours over a couple weeks to build a simple table... (Most of that time is planing, sanding, and finishing)

[BillHartCooks.]

I am a professional project manager. (Contractor) But I like to Make things. (Woodworker... Maker, because i make things but not always out of wood.) Sometimes I make things that are big, made onsite, with portable tools. (Carpenter.)
Professionally I am a project manager. And I some times use contactors to do part of a project, that requires multiple steps that use multiple trades.
But in my spare time I make things that make me or someone who I love/like happy.... MAKER!
Just my opinion. But I very much like yours too.

[chrisanthony]

I see so many owners getting into "trouble" when the act as their own GC's. They just don't have enough knowledge to put all the parts and pieces together when it comes to managing subcontractors. Often times they end up spending a whole lot more money not using a GC.

[homefrontforge]

I wear all three hats, plus a number of other trade skills. I find it amusing when people assume winter is my slow time. My slow time is when I don't answer my phone.

[godmode]

I have been at this a good long time now and I have been asked this by more students than I can recall. This is the answer I have been giving since the early 80s...For the most part any "good" wood worker can frame a house, or a deck, or a set of stairs, but ask a carpenter for a baroque rocking chair and see what you get...It takes only a year or two to be a good carpenter, it can take years of being a good carpenter to become a mediocre wood worker. Think of wood workers as masters of wood. Carpenters use the wood to build things, engineers use the shape of wood to design things, wood workers can do just that, work the wood. They can shape it, change it, mold it bend it, and turn it into something it was never designed to be. To a wood worker a 2x4 doesn't have to be a stick. It can be anything we dream it to be from a wagon wheel to a patio to a complex machine of moving parts. I have no doubt some young journeyman will not agree with me on this but that's just my opinion on the differences.