A carpenter's rate varies a great deal depending on whether the job is installing items already made or made-to-measure carpentry built in a workshop, two businesses with very different cost structures.
Guideline hourly rates
As a market reference, a self-employed carpenter for installation work (doors, fittings, assembly) usually bills €25–35/hour, whereas made-to-measure workshop carpentry (furniture, wardrobes) is almost always quoted for the whole project, not by the hour, because it includes design, cutting, assembly and transport.
Why made-to-measure isn't charged by the hour
A made-to-measure piece involves hours in the workshop that the client doesn't see directly (cutting planning, material optimisation, building the structure before the final finish), so quoting it by the installation hour at the client's home understates the real work invested.
Travel and measuring
Many carpenters charge separately for the measuring visit on made-to-measure projects, although it is then deducted from the quote if the client accepts the work. Making this clear from the first contact avoids misunderstandings about what the initial visit includes.
Want to turn your hours and materials into a professional carpentry quote? Try it in PresupuestoYa.
Want to calculate this quote automatically?
PresupuestoYa calculates materials, quantities and total cost in minutes, for this and 19 other trades.
Create a free quote →