Carpenter or Builder: Who Should You Choose?

We tend to think of a carpenter and a builder as essentially the same. While it's true that both are "builders" and often use both terms interchangeably, there are some differences you need to be aware of. Most importantly, you need to be aware of how your state licensing authority may define a carpenter or builder.

What is a Carpenter?

A carpenter can be defined as a person who builds, erects or repairs structures made of timber, steel or timber substitute materials. As such, a carpenter might might install cladding, windows, doors, cabinets, flooring or just about anything else in your home.

New South Wales Fair Trading includes a number of jobs a licensed carpenter can perform in their description of a carpenter for licensing purposes, but a closer look reveals some of the tasks a carpenter's licence does not cover. For example, while a carpenter can erect framing, they are limited to building "non-habitable outdoor shelters or structures (excluding brick or stone) such as pergolas, gazebos and the like, but not including garages, sheds or carports."

"Non-habitable" is the key word in that outline of the limits of a carpenter's licence authorisation as defined by Fair Trading. If you are building a home, adding on a home extension or building a habitable out building, you will need to find someone else to build or oversee your project.

What is a Builder?

That "someone else" is a builder. Fair Trading includes "construction of a dwelling, or alterations or additions to a dwelling" in their description of the tasks a licensed builder in NSW can perform. However, licence endorsements and restrictions don't stop there in NSW or elsewhere.

"Building" includes everything from single and two storey family dwellings to high rises. In order to ensure a builder is qualified to perform the type of work needed, many states divide builders into categories. For example, The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) lists a number of "builder" categories and sub-categories. Under "Domestic Builders" alone, there are eight "competencies" including:

1. Bathrooms, Kitchens and Laundries
2. Brickwork
3. Cabinetmaking and Joinery
4. Carpenter
5. Fences and Gates
6. Floors, Slabs and Footings
7. Structural Landscaping
8. Sub-Floor Works

A "builder" may hold a registration card that allows them to perform or supervise the construction of an entire house or their registration may restrict them to one or more of the above tasks.

Choosing a Builder or Carpenter

Regulations vary in every state and territory, so how do you know the builder or carpenter you choose is licensed or qualified to carry out the jobs you hire them to do? Their licence or registration card will clearly state what they are or are not authorised to do. Licences in all states and territories must be renewed periodically; usually every three years, so make sure every carpenter or builder you get quotes from holds a current licence. If you're not sure, check on licensedtrades.com.au.

While you may need to hire a builder for structural work, a carpenter might be a better choice for jobs that require the "finishing touch." Many carpenters pride themselves on their fine detail work and others specialise in specific fields. The best way to choose the right person for the job is to ask to see examples of their previous work and compare it with that of others. If you like what you see, the price is right and they hold a current licence and insurance, you've probably found who you're looking for.