Find a trusted carpenter in Canberra

Decks, pergolas and a short building season

Canberra’s outdoor season is short and sharp. Nobody wants to sit on a deck in July, so spring and summer are when carpenters fill up with decks, pergolas and outdoor screens, and a deck ordered in November may not be finished by Christmas. Getting quotes in late winter gives you a better choice of dates.

The climate shapes the build too. Timber dries out and shrinks in the hot, dry summers, then takes on moisture through the damp winter months, so boards need the right gaps and fixings and a good oil or stain before their first summer. Hardwood and treated pine both work here; composite boards cost more up front but need less upkeep. On sloping blocks in the hillier suburbs, a raised deck may need building approval, so ask before you commit.

Doors, windows and winter draughts

Older Canberra homes lose a surprising amount of heat through their joinery. Doors that swell and stick in the cold, gaps under worn seals, and timber window frames that have dried out and shrunk all let warm air escape on a frosty night. A carpenter can plane and rehang doors, fit proper seals, replace rotten sills and repair frames, which often costs far less than new windows and makes a room noticeably warmer.

Inside, built-in wardrobes, shelving and replacing tired skirting and architraves are steady work, especially in homes being renovated one room at a time.

If you’re in one of the older inner-north or inner-south suburbs, check whether your home sits in a heritage precinct before swapping original windows, doors or verandah timber. Changes that can be seen from the street may need approval, and a carpenter who has worked on those homes will usually know to ask.

Licences, approvals and carpentry in the ACT

Carpentry isn’t a licensed trade in the ACT, so the checks look a little different. Look up the ABN on ABN Lookup, make sure the name matches the quote, and ask for proof of public liability insurance. If the job is structural and needs building approval, such as an extension, it has to be done under a licensed builder, so check the Access Canberra builders register as well. Our ACT licence check guide shows how to search it.

Whatever the job, get the quote in writing and check whether it includes timber, hardware and taking away the offcuts.

Carpentry rates in Canberra

In Canberra, carpenters tend to charge near the top of a national hourly range of roughly $60–$100, and a full day of one chippy’s labour usually costs $500–$800. Labour to hang an internal door is commonly $150–$450. Fitting new skirting and architraves runs about $300–$900 per room. A 20 m² timber deck lands somewhere around $6,000–$12,000, which works out at roughly $300–$600 a square metre, with hardwood, composite boards and raised decks on sloping blocks at the dearer end. Our carpenter price guide lists more jobs.

How we find your carpenter

Say what needs building or fixing and which suburb you’re in. We’ll put you in touch with one Canberra carpenter who has passed our ABN, insurance and review checks. Nobody else gets your number, and it’s free.

Not in Canberra? See carpenters across Australia. Got other jobs too? Find more Canberra trades, or ask for a free quote.