Get Quotes from Top Carpenters in Jacksonville, FL

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Carpenter in Jacksonville?

In Jacksonville, it is unlawful for anyone to work as a carpentry subcontractor without holding a valid carpentry subcontractor certificate of competency issued by the appropriate city agency. According to section 342.120 of the Jacksonville Construction Trades Regulations, failure to obtain a carpentry subcontractor certificate of competency before working as a carpentry subcontractor is a civil infraction punishable by a fine of up to $1,000. However, you do not need a certificate of competency to be eligible to provide certain carpentry or woodwork-related services in the city. Carpentry services that do not require a certificate of competency include minor repairs like:

• Door repairs and paneling
• Dry rot repairs
• Painting touch-ups
• Repairing damages to wooden equipment

Jacksonville's Construction Trades Qualifying Board is the agency responsible for issuing carpentry subcontractor certificates of competency. It is the responsibility of the Board to certify persons who have acquired the knowledge and requisite skill necessary to install any wood products in a building including, but not limited to, structural and non-structural walls, rough framing, sheathing, and wood siding. To obtain a certificate of competency in this category, applicants must pass an approved examination, provide proof of at least four years of practical experience in the carpentry trade and no less than two years of which must be in a supervisory position, and proof of payment of an occupational license tax for the last two years.

For inquiries concerning the requirements for obtaining a carpentry subcontractor certificate, contact the Construction Trades Qualifying Board at (904) 630-2657. You can also call the aforementioned telephone number to confirm if the individual you intend to hire is certified to work on your project.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Carpenters in Jacksonville?

The hourly rate for carpentry services in Jacksonville is generally determined by factors like:

• The nature of the work
• The amount of labor required to complete the work
• The type and cost of materials that are required for the work

When considering a carpenter for your home improvement or construction work, it is always important to ask the individual you intend to hire for a written work estimate detailing the type of work to be done, the cost of materials, and the cost of labor. Nevertheless, getting a second opinion on the project can help you determine the average cost of the carpentry services you need. Accordingly, you should always get multiple estimates from different carpenters to identify the right person for your project.

A Carpenter in Jacksonville earns an annual average wage of $39,770. The table below provides a comparison of the mean hourly wage for carpenters in Jacksonville against those of carpenters in the rest of the State of Florida as well as across several other major American cities:

Do You Comply with the Jacksonville Building Code for Carpentry Work?

Hiring a carpenter who is conversant with the Jacksonville Building Code and the Jacksonville Construction Trades Regulations is the first step in ensuring that your home improvement or construction project meets the minimum construction standards in the city. The aforementioned codes are established to protect public health, safety, and welfare by regulating the construction, installation, repair, and maintenance of structures in the city. These codes also establish the minimum requirements for engaging in construction trades in the city. Some of the requirements of these codes pertaining to carpentry work include mandatory certification of carpentry subcontractors and the issuance of permits to only certified contractors.

Violating any section of the applicable codes is an offense punishable by a fine of up to $1,000. You can direct inquiries concerning other requirements of the Jacksonville Building Code and the Jacksonville Construction Trades Regulations by contacting the Building Inspection Division at (904) 255-8500.

Will You Get the Home Improvement Permits as Required by Jacksonville Code?

Except for minor home remodeling and improvement repairs, anyone who intends to construct or alter a building in Jacksonville must obtain the appropriate permits for such work. Constructing a new building or altering an existing building without first obtaining the appropriate permit for such work can lead to the payment of twice the amount of the regular permit fees with an additional administrative fine of $250. In Jacksonville, major carpentry works, such as the installation of structural and non-structural walls, rough framing, sheathing, and wood siding, are included in building permit applications.

You can contact the Building Inspection Division at (904) 255-8500 to find the list of carpentry works typically included in a building permit. Building permits are issued by the Building Inspection Division, and to obtain a building permit, certified contractors must provide details of the work, as well as necessary plans and specifications. Carpentry works that require submission of plans and review include window and door replacement not exceeding $5,000 in total cost and construction of single-story accessory structure not exceeding 150 square feet and $5,000 in total cost. Applications for carpentry-related work permits can be made online, or in person at:

Once your contractor has submitted all the necessary plans alongside the permit application and the permit fees, the Building Inspection Division will review your application. In Jacksonville, permit applications are processed within seven days of submission, and a permit is issued after review of the application. Note that no permit issued by the Building Inspection Division shall be valid until the permit fees have been paid.

Besides the issuance of building permits, the Jacksonville Building Inspection Division also performs inspections on carpentry-related works for which a permit was issued. Note that inspections can only be scheduled by the certified contractor who applied for the permit. Once a permit is issued, your project inspector's name and phone numbers are recorded on the issued permit, and your contractor can schedule an inspection by contacting the inspector via their phone line. Similarly, certified contractors can schedule inspections online. For further inquiries concerning permits and inspections, contact the city's Building Inspection Division at (904) 255-8500.

What Kind of Carpentry Services Do You Offer?

Jacksonville carpenters offer a variety of residential and commercial carpentry services. These services are broadly categorized into two groups, including rough and finish carpentry. Rough carpentry involves woodwork-related activities that focus on the structure of a building such as framing and sheathing of a building. On the other hand, finish carpentry involves the installation of trim and pieces of furniture after the structure of the building is fully built. Before hiring a carpenter in Jacksonville, it is necessary to confirm if they can provide the type of carpentry service you need. You can do this by asking the individual if they have undergone some form of carpentry training in the past.

You can also ask the carpenter about their years of practice and if they can provide references of previous clients with similar needs. Always ensure that you contact these clients to verify the work done by the carpenter. Furthermore, you can ask the carpenter if they have the necessary tools and equipment to start and complete the project satisfactorily. Once you have confirmed the carpenter's qualifications, experience, expertise, and preparedness, you can now find out the average cost of carpentry services near you.

Listed below is the average cost (per foot) of some carpentry services in Jacksonville:

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Carpenters in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville carpenters are not required to maintain any statutory general liability insurance to be eligible to work in the city. However, considering that construction work accidents may occur at any time during your carpentry work, it is always recommended that you hire a duly insured carpenter for your project. This is very crucial as carpenters often deal with hand tools that may result in several workplace injuries. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, nail guns are responsible for over 37,000 emergency room visits annually.

Considering that 68 percent of the 37,000 emergency visits involved workers, you should always ensure that your carpenter is insured, as this is the only way to protect yourself from claims that may result from work accidents. Before hiring a carpenter near you, it is always important to confirm their insurance status. You can do this by asking for their insurance certificate and contacting the company that issued the certificate to be sure.