Carpenters in Toronto

General carpentry is a voluntary trade in Ontario, not a compulsory one. A Certificate of Qualification exists and is a genuine signal, but it is not legally required.

Typical costs

Hourly rate

$60 – $110 / hour

Baseboard and casing, installed per linear foot

$4 – $10

Crown moulding, installed per linear foot

$8 – $16

Custom built-in shelving or cabinetry

$2,500 – $12,000

Full hiring guide

Working in this area

Knob-and-tube and insurance

Many insurers will not write or renew a policy on a home with active knob-and-tube wiring. If you are buying in an older neighbourhood, get an electrical assessment before firm closing rather than after.

Heritage designations

Toronto has numerous Heritage Conservation Districts where exterior changes, including windows and roofing materials, may require separate heritage approval on top of a building permit.

More about hiring in Toronto

What carpentry work costs in Ontario

Finish carpentry is usually quoted hourly or per linear foot; structural work and decks are quoted per project or per square foot. Custom built-ins vary more than any other item here because the design drives the labour almost entirely.

Job	Typical range
Hourly rateFinish carpenters with strong portfolios sit at the top.	$60 – $110 / hour
Baseboard and casing, installed per linear footIncludes cutting, fitting, nailing and filling. Painting usually separate.	$4 – $10
Crown moulding, installed per linear footHigher than baseboard because of the compound angles and working overhead.	$8 – $16
Custom built-in shelving or cabinetryDepends on size, material and whether doors and drawers are involved.	$2,500 – $12,000
Deck, per square footPressure-treated at the low end, composite with aluminum railing at the high end.	$35 – $70
Interior staircase rebuildRailing and spindle style drives a large part of the cost.	$2,500 – $8,000
Basement partition framing, per linear footFraming only, before drywall, electrical or insulation.	$25 – $50

Planning estimates for Ontario, not quotes. Always get written quotes against the same written specification.

Questions to ask before you hire

Do you mainly do rough or finish carpentry? Can I see photos of work like mine?

Is this quoted hourly or as a fixed price, and what is the estimate if hourly?

Does this job need a permit, and are you pulling it?

Who supplies materials, and is there a markup on them?

For a deck: what footing depth, and how is it attached to the house?

Is painting or staining included, or am I arranging that separately?

How do you handle changes I ask for mid-project?

Warning signs

Willingness to remove a wall without establishing whether it is load-bearing.

Deck construction with no permit on a structure that clearly needs one. This surfaces when you sell.

Hourly work with no estimated total and no cap.

Vague material specifications on a custom piece. "Wood" is not a specification.