Woodworker Vs. Carpenter Vs. Contractor (WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?!)

Woodworker Vs. Carpenter Vs. Contractor (WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?!)

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Woodworker Vs. Carpenter Vs. Contractor (WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?!)

I’ve noticed over the years that most people seem to think that the words woodworker, carpenter and contractor are interchangeable. But, they describe very different careers and jobs. Here are some brief explanations of each:

Woodworker: Craftspeople who mostly work in a shop setting to build small, high quality projects (which can typically be moved around by hand.) Woodworkers used very specialized tools such as chisels and planes, as well as much larger tools like jointers and drill presses. These tools don’t travel well, so woodworkers like to be in their shops working.

Carpenter: Tradespeople who tend to work on job sites and construction sites using mobile tools to build and repair larger structures such as houses, decks, fences, pergolas, etc…Carpenters break down into many categories such as framers, trim carpenters, fence-builders, and more.

Contractor: Typically refers to a “general contractor,” which is a professional who knows a good amount about houses, generally has a contractor’s license, and hires subcontractors or “subs” to come in a carry out phases of a construction project. Contractors often don’t do the work themselves, they just manage the project, then mark up the job costs with a fee of their own.

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50 Comments

  1. Zack Meeker on December 28, 2021 at 7:55 pm

    In ways there completely different trades…



  2. rabak omaba on December 28, 2021 at 7:56 pm

    I use Woodglut plans for all my joinery. Google and try it out.



  3. Rick Sargent on December 28, 2021 at 7:58 pm

    Since you’re talking about the subject, you might want to tell people to check local laws. In the states where I am licensed to contract, Hawaii and California you can’t just hire a Carpenter that’s not a contractor to frame your house. You can hire a handyman to do work if the cost of the materials and labor is under a certain dollar amount typically $500-$1000 total.



  4. Shantel Guetgen on December 28, 2021 at 8:00 pm

    I prefer to build with Woodglut plans.



  5. Pondok Klene on December 28, 2021 at 8:02 pm

    Sangat mengagumkan karyanya. Sukses buat anda Mr.



  6. mrzombie170 on December 28, 2021 at 8:03 pm

    in the UK a woodworker is not a job its a hobby the trades he puts under woodworker, in the UK wood be bench joiners , cabinet makers , furniture maker , wood machinist .



  7. Brandy Hawking on December 28, 2021 at 8:04 pm

    The best designs and plans are available on the Woodglut website.



  8. Messianic Hebrew Shawn Kawcak on December 28, 2021 at 8:05 pm

    And the handyman is between carpenters and contractors. However handyman are more maintenance and smaller projects.



  9. rueful quail on December 28, 2021 at 8:05 pm

    This is a nice breakdown. I am a woodworker and I hate getting asked to build something permanent into a house or expected to know how to build a deck/fence. I tell clients they need a carpenter and they just look at me like I am crazy.



  10. josef56 on December 28, 2021 at 8:05 pm

    You left me out! Cabinetmaker, millworker! LOL! In tech college we teased the carpenters. We measure with calipers and they measure with wooden shoes! Danish humor!



  11. Sevenspine III on December 28, 2021 at 8:06 pm

    Every GC i know, know how to do most of the work . I think your confusing GC for an interior designer lol.



  12. birdo623 on December 28, 2021 at 8:07 pm

    Contractor throws 8 different trades in one room just so he can get a check.



  13. Jesse Back on December 28, 2021 at 8:07 pm

    So I’m a carpenter? I learned something new today.



  14. Jonathan Popham on December 28, 2021 at 8:07 pm

    You say hammer I say swing press



  15. Elizabeth Hood on December 28, 2021 at 8:07 pm

    Just started watching your channel…
    Very good… I would love to see you do a video on what a " handy man" is…. because thats how I get my work…
    And as a result have run in to some
    minor trouble….



  16. Roberto Herrera on December 28, 2021 at 8:11 pm

    General contractors are not only managers, most of them do physically perform the work, please don’t provide misinformation here, the home owners can get in to a real issue trying to manage all subcontractors if they are not knowledgeable about construction.



  17. A Carpenter's Son on December 28, 2021 at 8:11 pm

    Depends on the day as to whether or not I am a woodworker or carpenter. I would work in the shop nearly every day if it was possible. The only thing I would leave the shop to do is trim and built-in closets, cabinets and mantle pieces. But, I end up doing it all.



  18. Jose Raygoza on December 28, 2021 at 8:12 pm

    I’m a mill worker, cabinet maker, Installer, finish carpenter and a wood worker. What does that make me?



  19. All World Construction LLC on December 28, 2021 at 8:13 pm

    I’m a GC and do all three. I don’t agree with your GC description. GC do know how to do the work, and they can/did… but reached a new level after years of hard work. To get a GC license, you need a four year apprenticeship… you don’t need those for yours for the other two



  20. Dave Benjamin on December 28, 2021 at 8:14 pm

    You forgot the 4th position. "The hands on GC" or "The carpenter/GC" Which is what I’ve been doing for over 40 years. The remodeling/home builder who is on the job, working with the tools while coordinating the subs. Customers really like it when the estimator/GC will actually be on the job while their project is under construction.



  21. superfraud on December 28, 2021 at 8:14 pm

    3:13 😳



  22. Tracy Lemme on December 28, 2021 at 8:15 pm

    What about wood Wright’s?



  23. Chuck Finley on December 28, 2021 at 8:15 pm

    But some of us woodworkers can do almost anything. I use to install flooring one day and other days install cabinets. Sometimes you may see me installing cabinets but making a custom piece at home. My box truck is what I call a shop in wheels.
    I would always rather be at home building things like tables or cabinets. The carpentry stuff was what paid the bills.



  24. Zell on December 28, 2021 at 8:16 pm

    I sad at court once. I say owner of house to call plumber as I need talk to him. Plumber show up and we talk. After it is done plumber say "I need to get paid". If customer give money to me and I give money to plumber and keep percentage in pocket than I’m GC. If customer pay plumber directly than I’m just contractor like plumber. Only plumber has 3 times more per hour than me.



  25. frenstcht on December 28, 2021 at 8:16 pm

    "…whom to call…." I heard that! Nice. That’s one of those little things that does wonders for one’s credibility.



  26. jawojnicki on December 28, 2021 at 8:17 pm

    what is the difference between a "builder" and a "general contractor"



  27. kickassclone75 on December 28, 2021 at 8:19 pm

    Woodworkers play with themselves ,carpenters don’t know how to play with themselves and contractors rip both of them off .



  28. James Holder on December 28, 2021 at 8:19 pm

    Super helpful! Is there a best way to get training and experience as a carpenter while still working a separate full-time job?



  29. TheCybertiger9 on December 28, 2021 at 8:22 pm

    I made a cutting board in shape of a duck, so what does that make me ?



  30. Deebles on December 28, 2021 at 8:23 pm

    I generally work as a cabinet maker, and sometimes furniture. Many people think those skills will automatically translate to rough carpentry. Sometimes it’s like softball vs baseball, sometimes baseball vs cricket.



  31. jaile robreak on December 28, 2021 at 8:23 pm

    🥺🤗



  32. Adkins Mikkelsen on December 28, 2021 at 8:26 pm

    I’m pretty sure you can still buy plans with all the details you need on Woodglut.



  33. Elizabeth Hood on December 28, 2021 at 8:26 pm

    I feel like some people also can confuse handy men with general contractors…. and have unrealistic expectations for the completion of large multi faceted projects in the time frame they are hoping for….
    They like the hourly rate but fail to recognize the fact that for the most part you’re the only guy who is actually physically going to perform the work… which obviously will take longer than a team, or multiple teams for that matter



  34. Richard Hall on December 28, 2021 at 8:26 pm

    I’m a woodworker. I have huge respect for carpenters. Those guys have skills!!



  35. Herm Ask on December 28, 2021 at 8:27 pm

    Germany:
    Tischler: woodworker literally table maker
    Zimmermann: carpenter literally room-man/maker
    and then there are more specialized wood guys; boat maker, formerly from wood, nowadays synthetic materials
    Luthiers…..and and and.



  36. Jay Nelson on December 28, 2021 at 8:29 pm

    After many years, they melt into each other. That is when you become a Master Carpenter. Take Norm Abram for instance.



  37. Mat Mirza on December 28, 2021 at 8:32 pm

    I do carpentry but I’m a woodworker bc I working with my wood every single morning.



  38. Thomas D on December 28, 2021 at 8:33 pm

    Thank you for the clarification!



  39. Hammond Miers on December 28, 2021 at 8:35 pm

    I prefer to build with Stodoys plans.



  40. Diederich Abels on December 28, 2021 at 8:35 pm

    Woodglut comes with very useful plans with all the details you need.



  41. Sérgio Reitor on December 28, 2021 at 8:36 pm

    You still have the Sea. Wood is Wood. A noble asset. Furniture…and so on. Study more.



  42. Jeffrey Cunningtown on December 28, 2021 at 8:37 pm

    I have checked many woodworking plan sites. I think the instructions from Woodglut are the best.



  43. DrugTalk 101 on December 28, 2021 at 8:39 pm

    Get more creative men you already sound like an old 90s school show don’t recycle the same damn photos too



  44. Dylan .Robinson on December 28, 2021 at 8:42 pm

    Same thing happens in "Masonry"
    A lot of different specific trades within it. Some guys can lay brick and block but have no idea what to do with stone. Or concrete guys getting calls for a fireplace. A lot of specialized work in any specific trade



  45. Kyïv stuff on December 28, 2021 at 8:48 pm

    Thank you!



  46. Den Henson on December 28, 2021 at 8:48 pm

    Where do I have to move to get a job as a carpenter?



  47. Koil Zimbabwe on December 28, 2021 at 8:48 pm

    why not just do it all



  48. Moenasha on December 28, 2021 at 8:48 pm

    Thanks



  49. A B on December 28, 2021 at 8:52 pm

    Thank You! Last year when I wanted a closet built I asked the person about which one they were from a professional standpoint they never answered my question & asked me 2 take pics of the area? When I asked them again, they hung up on me.



  50. Jake Anderson on December 28, 2021 at 8:53 pm

    GC’s do more work than you think. Not all GC’s are the stereotype you describe here.