It’s easy to understand why there’s such high demand in the trades—especially in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. At the same time, it’s also clear why we’re seeing fewer and fewer carpenters.
Carpentry requires a broader range of knowledge and significantly more tooling than many other trades. I only need two totes for electrical tools and three for plumbing. But when it comes to carpentry, I have separate sets of tools for demolition, rough framing, finish work, millwork, furniture making, and production. Furniture and cabinet making require the most tools, followed closely by finish carpentry.
The amount we invest in tools is staggering. What’s even more frustrating is when an employer expects you to use your own tools on the job—but offers no support when they break or wear out. If someone’s profiting off your labor, they should also share the responsibility of maintaining the tools that make that work possible. The same principle applies when you own a business—there needs to be a tool fee built into your rates to maintain knives, saw blades, and other consumables.
Woodworkers and carpenters deserve more respect. People seem to have no problem paying for plumbing or electrical because they view it as necessary. But the same mindset should apply to woodwork. No, you don’t need a $100K kitchen or a $50K bathroom—but you do need a roof over your head and living spaces that at least meet code. These are essentials—for both safety and survival.
So next time you consider asking a woodworker to lower their price, take a moment to really think it through. In most cases, they can’t do the work for less without compromising quality. And when corners are cut, the final product suffers. Yet the expectations from the client usually remain just as high.
This imbalance—between what people want and what they’re willing to pay—is exactly why many skilled woodworkers grow disillusioned with the trade. It’s also why some eventually wish they had kept it as a hobby rather than a profession.
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