Cons and Advantages of Working as a Carpenter

What does a carpenter actually do?

A carpenter is a builder who produces furniture, building components, and other wooden structures. Precision sawing, drilling, hand sanding, and choosing the right kind of wood for a project are all skills that carpenters are familiar with. Carpenters frequently work on a team for a building or carpentry company or on personal projects for clients.

Benefits of Being a Carpenter

There are many benefits to becoming a carpenter, including the following six:

1. You have the physical ability.

Carpentry is a physically demanding job that lets you use your hands and directly affects how projects turn out. Unique furniture can be made or used to aid in construction using hand tools and particular techniques.

People who enjoy seeing the results of their labour and using their hands to craft one-of-a-kind works of art may find working with their hands to be an appealing quality. Carpenters acquire a variety of skills and tools that they can apply to other areas of their lives as well.

2. You acquire the ability to fix things.

Carpenters specialise in fixing wooden structures, furniture, and other items. This might include technical carpentry and building abilities that carpenters can use on a daily basis. For instance, a carpenter may use the skills they acquire at work to fix a backyard wooden shed that is rotting, saving the homeowner the expense of hiring a professional. These skills can be extremely useful in a wide range of circumstances.

Some carpenters start their own businesses using their skills.

3. You can work quickly on your feet.

The physical demands of the carpentry trade necessitate long periods of standing. You can stay active and healthy by walking, squatting, bending, hammering, and doing other physical activities. People who want to work out while they work may find carpentry to be a good option. Some carpentry jobs also involve heavy lifting, which can promote the growth of muscles and physical fitness.

4. You can put in regular hours of work.

The typical workweek for carpenters is eight hours per day, five days a week. Many companies offer flexible scheduling options and, if required, overtime.

You can choose to spend those days off with family or work extra hours on the weekends, holidays, and other days off. You can manage your time even better and set up a schedule that works for you when you work as an independent contractor. Contractors typically put in 40 hours per week, but they are free to schedule personal time as needed.

5. You can increase your income.

An average annual salary of $55,742 is expected for carpenters. You can get better pay, benefits, and representation by joining a carpenter's union. By specialising in areas such as furniture or construction carpentry, some carpenters are able to make more money. Carpenters with more experience typically make more money than those with less experience, but your qualifications may affect this.

Drawbacks of Being a Carpenter

Working as a carpenter has a number of drawbacks, including the following six:

You might hurt yourself unintentionally.

Because you use powerful tools, heavy machinery, and sharp hand and power tools, carpentry can be hazardous. Examples of tools with potentially harmful sharp edges or rotating metallic components include saws, drills, and hand chisels. Carpenters must learn crucial safety procedures and frequently obtain safety certifications before using these tools. In order to prevent accidents and make the workplace a safer place for everyone, they also abide by strict workplace safety standards. Before an employee can work on a project on their own, most construction companies require them to complete safety training modules and to work under the supervision of an experienced carpenter.

The work entails difficult physical labour.

A career in carpentry requires both physical stamina and physical stamina. You frequently spend the majority of the shift standing, moving slowly, and crouching. You can also use hand tools to shape and cut wood, position heavy beams, furniture, or equipment, and lift heavy objects. For carpenters, physical endurance is a crucial skill that can be improved with more practise. To improve physical endurance and lessen the physical demands of your job, you can also create an exercise regimen outside of work that focuses on cardio exercises.

The employment outlook is average.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for carpenters is expected to grow by about 2% through 2029, which is less than average when compared to other professions. Only 20,000 new carpentry jobs are expected to be created over the next ten years, according to the BLS, but this is also a chance to increase your pay by improving your competitiveness and carpentry skills. Because there are fewer jobs available, you can concentrate on honing specialised skills to set yourself apart from other applicants.

The employment opportunities you receive might be inconsistent.

Throughout their careers, carpenters are prone to inconsistent behaviour. The demand for professional carpenters, which can occasionally be low, has a significant impact on the availability of work. For instance, if the housing market is struggling, there may be a decline in the demand for new homes, which would lower the need for residential carpenters. Although inconsistent work can be a drawback of the job, it also gives carpenters the chance to pick up new skills or get training to boost their competitiveness in the field. During this time, you can look for better job opportunities in your field or earn new certifications.