Get Quotes from Top Carpenters in Detroit, MI

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Carpenter in Detroit?

Carpenters in Detroit are statutorily required to register with and obtain Maintenance and Alteration Contractor licenses from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Non-compliance with this licensing provision can result in fines of up to $25,000 for offending carpenters in the city. Interested applicants that wish to obtain these Maintenance and Alteration Contractor licenses are deemed eligible after they have met certain requirements, which include:

• They must be at least 18 years of age
• They must hold a Michigan driver's license.
• They must show proof of completing a 60-hour training course at a training center approved by LARA.
• They must open a user account on the LARA licensing portal
• They must register for and pass maintenance and alteration licensing exams
• They must pay a stipulated licensing application fee.

Upon satisfying the above conditions, LARA will issue applicants licenses. Once issued, Maintenance and Alteration Contractor licenses are typically valid for three years and may be renewed no earlier than 90 days before their expiry date. You can verify the licensing status of your Detroit carpenter online via the online platform provided and maintained by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). For more information on Detroit carpenter licensing procedures and other related information, you can contact this department's Bureau of Construction Codes at

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

Several factors affect the cost of carpentry jobs and services in Detroit. Some of these factors include the type and cost of materials needed, the nature of the project, the expertise of the carpenter, and how much labor is required. Note that the total cost of your carpentry project may be issued via flat rate fees or hourly fees. Whichever means your carpenter chooses to charge for these services, it is important you get estimates from more than two carpenters to determine the true industry cost of your upcoming project.

A carpenter in Detroit earns an annual average wage of $53,210. The table below provides a comparison of the mean hourly wage for carpenters in Detroit against those of carpenters in the rest of the State of Michigan as well as other major American cities:

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

The Michigan Construction Codes regulate and govern the construction, alteration, demolition, moving, repair, and maintenance of buildings and structures in Detroit. They also cover the materials used in these construction works, the quality of construction and carpentry materials, and the interior aspects of the building that cover carpentry, such as entry and exit, ceilings, walls, beams, stairs, and interior finishings. These codes are enacted to secure the safety and well-being of the residents of Detroit and ensure that all structures and buildings are built in line with uniform standards provided by the construction codes.

When searching for a carpenter in Detroit to execute your building or remodeling project, it is very important to hire a professional and experienced carpenter who is knowledgeable about the Michigan Construction Codes. This not only saves you from directly violating these codes but also from the monetary and legal implications of these violations.

You can contact the Bureau of Construction Codes of the state's Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs at (517) 241-9317 for more inquiries and information on the application and enforcement of the Michigan Construction Codes in Detroit.

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

According to the Michigan Construction Codes, permits are typically required for carpentry-related projects involving:

• Changing the roofing structure of a house
• Knocking down a wall or a section of the house to expand the house structure
• Changing the wooden floors of the house
• Altering, removing, replacing, or installing the structural wooden beams
• Any other carpentry that involves the alteration and installation of the wooden structures of the house.

However, permit exemptions are usually made for work involving minor repairs and alterations like changing faulty doorknobs, changing locks, changing kitchen and laundry cabinets and their doorknobs, and installing shelves and drawers.

Permit applications can be made by the owner of the building or the contractor in charge of the project. Eligible parties can apply for these permits by creating an account on the Detroit Electronic Licensing and Permitting System (eLAPS) and utilizing the city's permit application guide to glean information on the permit submission process. Supporting documentation, such as building and proposed construction plans, can also be submitted electronically via the city's electronic plan review portal.

The permit application and plan review process typically take three business days. Note that once the permit is approved, project inspections will have to be scheduled with the Construction Inspection Division of the Detroit Buildings Safety Engineering Environmental Department (BSEED), either online or via phone call to (313) 224-3202. For more information or inquiries on the permit application process and other related information, you can contact the BSEED office at:

What Kind of Carpentry Services Do You Offer?

Carpentry services in Detroit involve constructing, assembling, installing, and repairing wooden structures in homes and other types of buildings. Primarily, there are two categories of carpentry, namely rough carpentry and fine or finish carpentry. Rough carpentry focuses largely on the wooden framing of the building and the skeletal structures that support buildings, like walls, roofs, beams, pillars, and floors. Rough carpenters are also trained to identify defects in wooden structures and also ensure that the structures and materials used in construction meet building and residential codes and proper strength standards.

On the other hand, fine or finish carpentry involves the precise detailing and craftsmanship required to transform your home into a habitable space. Work that falls under this type of carpentry includes the design and installation of interior trim and millwork such as stair railings, crown molding and casing around doors and windows, shelves and cabinetry, built-in furniture, drawers, and other storage spaces. Finish carpenters are trained to ensure that various aspects of the interior finish go well with each other to create an aesthetically harmonious interior.

In addition, some carpenters may specialize in one or more of the different carpentry services. Therefore, as a homeowner, you must be certain of the expertise of your prospective carpenter, the scope of carpentry services that they provide, and whether these services match the requirements of the prospective project. It is also important that the prospective carpenters have the tools and expertise to execute carpentry projects successfully.

Below are some common services provided by carpenters in Detroit and their average costs:

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

The risk of potential injuries faced by carpenters in the execution of projects is often underrated by homeowners. It is estimated that accidents and injuries caused by nail guns alone account for over 37,000 visits to the emergency room annually. This statistic serves to underscore the importance of hiring insured carpenters to work on your projects. By working with only duly insured carpenters, you protect yourself from financial liabilities that come up due to injuries and accidents that occur whilst your home remodeling project is ongoing. It also saves you from having to bear the cost of repairing or replacing your property if it is damaged by your carpenter during this project.

As such, although Detroit does not compel carpenters to carry general liability insurance, it is advisable to ensure that any carpenter you hire has a valid liability insurance plan that is adequate to cover the scope of your project. You can make sure of this by requesting proof of the carpenter's insurance coverage and contacting the insurance provider that allegedly issued this proof to authenticate it. Also, note that the city's licensed carpenters are required to carry worker's disability compensation insurance if they have one or more employees. You can contact the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to get more information on state-mandated insurance requirements for carpenters in Detroit via phone at (517) 284-8947 or via email.