Carpentry

The carpenter or joiner is one of the most important trades on site. They usually work on a labour-only basis so all the materials and fixings will have to be supplied by you, the self-builder.

The work of a carpenter or joiner is usually broken down into three main sections; First Fix, Roof and Second Fix and priced accordingly. There is no natural or rigid division between these various elements of the trade and the stages do not follow on from each other, overlapping to a considerable degree.

The Roof
This has largely been covered in Build Stage 8 but as you can see from the above list some of the items in First Fix have to be done before the roof is on and others have to wait until it is finished or even tiled. Decide whether or not your stair treads are to be carpeted or exposed before ordering so that they are made of the correct wood finish.

Second Fix includes the following

• Hanging of internal/external doors and patio doors
• Fitting the garage door
• Fixing skirtings, architraves and decorative mouldings
• Finishing off the staircase, balustrading and aprons

In addition, there are various other tasks that the carpenters are often called upon to carry out as extras to the above:

• Tacking up of plasterboard to ceilings
• Fixing of insulation to the roof void and between joists or studwork
• Fitting of kitchen units and fitted bedroom or bathroom furniture