How much do self-employed carpenters charge per day UK?

Self-employed carpenters charge £150-£300 per day depending on experience, location, and type of work. In London, experienced carpenters charge £250-£380/day. First fix carpenters on site typically earn £180-£280/day. Second fix and finishing carpenters often earn more. Bespoke/fine joinery commands the highest rates at £200-£350+/day.

What is the difference between a carpenter and joiner UK?

A carpenter works on-site fitting and installing timber structures (roofs, floors, door frames, stud walls). A joiner works in a workshop making items (doors, windows, staircases, cabinets). In practice, many tradespeople do both. Joiners making bespoke items can earn more per hour than site carpenters, but site work is more readily available.

Is carpentry a good career UK?

Carpentry is a good career with steady demand and decent pay. Qualified carpenters earn £28,000-£55,000+, there's always work available, and the skills are transferable. Self-employment offers flexibility and higher earning potential. Adding specialisms like kitchen fitting, staircase building, or heritage restoration increases earning potential significantly.

Income & Employment Guides UK — Maximise Your Earnings

How Much Do Carpenters Earn in the UK? — 2026 Salary Guide

Q: How much do carpenters earn in the UK 2026?

Carpenters in the UK earn £26,000-£45,000 employed and £28,000-£55,000+ self-employed. Day rates for self-employed carpenters range from £150-£300. Specialist joiners and carpenters in London earn more, with experienced London carpenters commanding £250-£380/day. Kitchen fitters and bespoke joinery specialists earn at the higher end.

Complete guide to carpenter and joiner salaries in the UK for 2026. First fix vs second fix pay, employed vs self-employed rates, specialist joinery, apprentice wages, and how to maximise carpentry earnings.

By PocketWise · 26 March 2026 · 2 min read

Salary and income data is based on ONS and other official UK statistical sources. Figures are averages and may not reflect your individual circumstances.

Carpentry and joinery cover a wide range of woodworking skills in the construction industry. Here’s what carpenters and joiners earn across different specialisms and settings.

Employed Carpenter Salaries

By Experience

Level	Salary Range
Apprentice (Year 1)	£14,000-£17,000
Apprentice (Year 2-3)	£17,000-£22,000
Newly qualified	£24,000-£30,000
Experienced (3-5 years)	£28,000-£36,000
Highly experienced (5-10 years)	£34,000-£42,000
Foreman / lead carpenter	£38,000-£48,000
Site manager (carpentry background)	£42,000-£55,000

By Employer Type

Employer	Salary
House builder (volume)	£28,000-£38,000
Construction contractor	£28,000-£40,000
Joinery manufacturer	£26,000-£38,000
Shopfitting company	£28,000-£42,000
Local authority / housing	£28,000-£36,000
Heritage/restoration	£30,000-£42,000

Self-Employed Carpenter Earnings

Day Rates

Level	Day Rate	Annual Equivalent
Newly qualified	£130-£180	£26,000-£40,000
Experienced	£180-£260	£36,000-£57,000
Specialist/skilled	£220-£320	£44,000-£70,000
London	£250-£380	£50,000-£84,000

Annual based on 220 working days

First Fix vs Second Fix

Type	Description	Day Rate
First fix	Structural — roofs, floors, stud walls, door linings	£170-£260
Second fix	Finishing — skirting, architrave, doors, kitchens	£180-£280
Both (all-round carpenter)	Full range of carpentry	£180-£300

Typical Job Prices

Job	Typical Price (labour only)
Fit internal door (per door)	£60-£120
Fit a kitchen (medium, no supply)	£800-£2,000
Build stud wall (per metre)	£40-£70
Install skirting board (per room)	£100-£250
Lay laminate/engineered flooring (per m²)	£12-£25
Build a deck (12m²)	£1,200-£2,500
Fit a staircase	£1,000-£3,000
Loft boarding (per m²)	£15-£30
Built-in wardrobes	£800-£3,000
Hang a gate (wooden)	£100-£250

Specialist Carpenter and Joiner Earnings

Specialism	Employed	Self-Employed Day Rate
Kitchen fitter	£28,000-£40,000	£200-£300
Staircase specialist	£30,000-£42,000	£220-£320
Shopfitter	£30,000-£45,000	£200-£300
Bespoke furniture maker	£28,000-£42,000	£200-£350
Heritage/restoration joiner	£30,000-£42,000	£200-£320
Timber frame builder	£30,000-£42,000	£200-£300
Window maker/fitter	£28,000-£38,000	£180-£280
Roof carpenter	£30,000-£42,000	£200-£300
Cabinet maker	£28,000-£40,000	£200-£320

Bespoke / Fine Joinery

Product	Typical Price
Bespoke fitted kitchen	£5,000-£20,000+ (making + fitting)
Handmade staircase	£3,000-£15,000
Bespoke bookcase/library	£2,000-£8,000
Custom window (hardwood)	£500-£2,000 per window
Bespoke front door (hardwood)	£2,000-£6,000

Regional Differences

Region	Employed	Self-Employed Day Rate
London	£32,000-£48,000	£250-£380
South East	£30,000-£42,000	£220-£320
South West	£26,000-£36,000	£170-£260
East of England	£28,000-£38,000	£190-£280
West Midlands	£26,000-£36,000	£170-£260
East Midlands	£26,000-£34,000	£160-£250
North West	£26,000-£36,000	£170-£260
Yorkshire	£26,000-£34,000	£160-£250
North East	£24,000-£32,000	£150-£230
Scotland	£26,000-£36,000	£170-£260
Wales	£24,000-£34,000	£150-£240

How to Become a Carpenter

Route	Duration	Cost
Level 2 Apprenticeship	2 years	Earn while learning
Level 3 Apprenticeship	2-3 years	Earn while learning
College (Level 2-3 Diploma)	1-2 years	Free (16-18) or £2,000-£5,000
NVQ on-site assessment	6-12 months	£1,000-£3,000
CSCS Card (blue — skilled)	After NVQ Level 2	£36

Career Progression

Stage	Years	Typical Earnings
Apprentice	Years 1-3	£14,000-£22,000
Newly qualified (employed)	Years 3-5	£24,000-£32,000
Experienced (employed)	Years 5-10	£30,000-£42,000
Self-employed (building up)	Years 4-7	£28,000-£45,000
Established self-employed	Years 7+	£36,000-£55,000
Specialist / London	Years 8+	£44,000-£70,000+
Running own business	Years 10+	£50,000-£100,000+

Summary

Level	Typical Earnings
Apprentice	£14,000-£22,000
Employed (experienced)	£28,000-£42,000
Self-employed	£28,000-£55,000
Specialist joiner	£36,000-£65,000
London carpenter	£40,000-£70,000+
Running a business	£50,000-£100,000+

Sources

ONS — Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings