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What is the average salary of a carpenter in the UK 2023

 

If you're looking to get into carpentry, then you're probably also wondering how much you will be paid for your trade. The salary of a carpenter depends on which area of the UK you're in, but the average carpenter salary in the UK is £38,122 per year!

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What is the average salary of a carpenter in the UK 2023

 

If you're looking to get into carpentry, then you're probably also wondering how much you will be paid for your trade. The salary of a carpenter depends on which area of the UK you're in, but the average carpenter salary in the UK is £38,122 per year!

More...

Working as a carpenter

Am I too old to retrain as a carpenter?

This is a question commonly asked by people in their forties who are considering a change of career.

If you're around 40 years of age and wondering whether it's too late for you to become a carpenter, allow us to reassure you that it most certainly is not!

In this blog post, we'll take a look at the options available to you as an adult learner and how you can become a carpenter at 40 with the help of Access Training.

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With the right skills, a strong desire and a little imagination, it can be surprising just what can be achieved when people put their minds (and hands) to work.

This is particularly applicable when it comes to manual labour jobs, like carpentry and joinery. Take the story of Billy Walden from Bentham, Lancaster, for proof of just that.

 

carpentry courses,carpentry training,joinery courses

 

A Cut Above

The Daily Mail recently ran a story about a teenage carpenter who incredibly transformed a shabby canal boat on its last sea legs into a holiday home for his mum and 11-year-old sister.

At 18 years old, Billy already had four years of carpentry training under his tool belt, beginning his education at the tender age of 14. He achieved his Level 1 AIM in just one year and even began his Level 2 in carpentry and joinery at just 15.

Despite his age, Billy was no stranger to renovation projects, having already completed a refurb of a VW camper. However, the camper van project left Billy with a desire for something bigger and better. The canal boat project proved to be just that.

 

Investing in Carpentry Skills

Bought by his mum, Jayne, for just £5k, the boat was a veritable steal due to the fact it didn’t pass all the survey tests. However, that also meant that it was also in need of considerable TLC – a challenge that Billy was more than up for.

Renovation costs accrued to around £2800 and, within just eight weeks, the young carpenter had transformed an uninhabitable budget barge into a unique floating holiday home.

 

Carpentry Courses and Joinery Courses

Billy’s story once again proves that not only can carpentry and joinery courses can be extremely useful, they can also be extremely rewarding from a personal standpoint too.

At Access Training UK, we offer a number of carpentry courses to suit all levels of education, allowing you to achieve carpentry goals, even if you don’t have any experience going in.

We currently offer the following carpentry courses:

 

DIY Carpentry Course

A crash course in household DIY carpentry, this course provides you with the basic understanding of carpentry required to complete a variety of carpentry tasks around the home.

Essential Carpentry Course

A basic introduction to carpentry via a foundation-level course. Ideal for those that want to gain basic carpentry knowledge and progress on to more advanced industry-level trade courses.

Professional Carpentry Course

A professional qualification, this course allows you to potentially pursue a career in carpentry and joinery. Suitable for al skill levels with no prior experience or prior knowledge necessary.

NVQ Level 2 Certification

An accredited certification course that allows experienced carpenters to gain the relevant qualifications to carry out on-site carpentry work.

 

For more information on our carpentry training and joinery courses, call today on 0800 345 7492 or drop us message online using the button below.

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Joiner vs carpenter

We're commonly asked this question: what is the difference between a joiner and a carpenter? When you need something built from wood and you are thinking about who is the right person for the job, do you hire a joiner, or do you hire a carpenter? What makes them different? Or do they perform the same job under two different names? Well, it's time to put all these questions to rest and take a look at some facts!

 

The difference between a joiner and a carpenter

In a nutshell, a joiner is a professional who produces the timber products that a carpenter fixes on-site. A joiner, for example, may be hired to make the frame, windows and doors for a new building; here, a joiner would traditionally 'join' wood in a workshop, whereas carpenters would erect the building elements on-site.

A carpenter installs the products made by joiners and produces features like joisted floors, roof trusses and stud-work for partitioning the building. Some people think that the difference between a joiner and a carpenter is that one uses nails and the other doesn't - this is a common assumption, but it's completely untrue!

In a sense, joinery and carpentry can be understood as separate specialities within the same industry or craft. In reality, there is some crossover between the two disciplines, with many of the fundamentals of the same woodworking techniques and skills being taught. However, when it comes to choosing between the two, it is always worth enquiring about an individual's expertise, especially when it comes to specialised tasks. A carpenter may skillfully hang and balance a door, but a joiner may produce far better replicas. Similarly, a joiner may create a stunning staircase, but a carpenter may be better equipped to fit it.

Interested in becoming a carpenter? We have carpentry courses for beginners & professionals! Check them out below.

Our Carpentry Courses >

 

When to choose between a joiner or carpenter

When it comes to choosing between a joiner or carpenter for a job, we recommend picking craftspeople according to their experience in relation to the project that you're trying to complete. An extension to a historic building, for example, would require specific experience and knowledge in building conservation. If both a carpenter and a joiner are required, it's advantageous to employ a business or individual who offers both services, as it will become much easier to manage your project when you do not have to deal with several different tradespeople totally avoiding divided responsibility if and when issues arise!

So, there you have it! Your joiner vs carpenter questions answered. We hope things are a little bit clearer to you now when it comes to these two professions.

If you have a project that requires some of the essential wood-working techniques mentioned above and you'd prefer to DIY it instead of employing additional personnel, why not learn the basics yourself? Here at Access Training Academies, we offer a fantastic range of carpentry courses that will teach you the vital skills and knowledge needed to succeed as a carpenter. Simply click below to learn more!

Browse Our Carpentry Courses >

For more information on the carpentry courses we offer - as well as our facilities, tutors, payment plans and training centres - be sure to contact our customer service team today! We are more than happy to help.

UPDATE (01/10/20): During the coronavirus crisis, we are helping people from all over the UK to learn new skills and switch careers. If you'd like to become a professional carpenter and help to fill Britain's skills gap, we can help - see Changing Careers During COVID-19 for details.

 

Be a carpenter

Carpentry is one of the oldest occupations there is, dating all the way back to Ancient Egypt and beyond. The Bible, of course, features myriad references to carpentry, from Noah and his ark to Joseph, husband of Mary.

That being said, a lot has changed since Biblical times - it's unlikely that Noah or Joseph had any formal carpentry qualifications. But what qualifications does a modern-day carpenter need in order to succeed?

 

What do I need to become a carpenter?

Carpentry isn't like gas or electrical work - there's no specific certification (or set of certifications) that you're legally required to possess in order to become a carpenter. Strictly speaking, the only thing you need to do in order to enter the trade and work on-site is demonstrating your competence as a carpenter.

There are a number of valid ways to do this, but one of the most popular options is to complete a portfolio of work and earn the NVQ Level 2 Carpentry qualification. Having this carpentry qualification under your belt proves that you can complete carpentry work in a competent and professional fashion, and could even help you procure new work if you're operating as a freelance carpentry contractor. So, gaining carpentry qualifications is advantageous, even if it's not essential.

 

How do I get my carpentry NVQ?

Well, hold on now. Before you can start working towards the NVQ Level 2 certification, you'll need to actually learn carpentry.

Again, you have a number of different options here. Some people choose to do an apprenticeship, working alongside an established carpenter and gradually learning the trade from them. Mind you, it can take a number of years to go from apprentice to fully-fledged carpenter, so if you're looking to start your new career sooner rather than later, you may prefer to enroll in an accredited carpentry training course.

View Our Carpentry Courses >

You can start your carpentry training from the comfort of your own home - we now offer live online training, allowing you to learn fundamental carpentry skills in a virtual classroom setting. Click here to find out more about our e-learning options.

Once you've learned all the skills a carpenter needs to know - and you feel confident that you're proficient enough to start work - then you can begin the NVQ process. This involves:

  • Attending a formal induction session
  • Completing a portfolio of evidence (including photographs of the work you've completed and written testimonies from witnesses)
  • Submitting your finished portfolio for assessment

If you're already a competent carpenter and you think you're ready to earn your NVQ Level 2 Carpentry qualification, click here to find out Access Training can help. Otherwise, use the links below to find out more about our carpentry training packages for learners of all experience levels.

Carpentry Training Packages >   Speak to a Course Advisor >

 

Are you looking to gain the skills and knowledge needed to be able to improve your outdoor living space with a self-built deck? Access Training can help! With our range of Carpentry Courses, you can gain the essential competencies required to become a professional carpenter and build your very own deck area. Whether it's for your own property or for others, we provide intensive and thorough training courses that enable you to become fully qualified in the carpentry industry and pursue a range of career goals. Click the button below to browse all of the Carpentry Courses that we currently offer here at Access Training.

Browse Carpentry Courses >

 

Why Learn to Build Your Own Deck?

So, why would you want to build your own deck? Let's take a look at some of the benefits you can experience by gaining the appropriate building skills! 

  • Cost - Probably the biggest factor to enrolling onto one of our courses to gain professional building and carpentry skills is the amount of money you can potentially save by completing the work required to build the deck yourself, rather than outsourcing the labour to another builder! The cost involved with gaining professional carpentry qualifications can quickly turn itself into an investment when you realise that you are able to do the most important and skilled elements of the job yourself. 
  • Trust - When it comes to working on your property, you want somebody that you can trust to a proper and professional job. The risk of hiring an external builder is that there is no guarantee that this will happen unless you know them of course. By gaining the skills and knowledge, you eliminate the risk of the project never being completed to the standard that you require.
  • DIY Skills - By completing one of our carpentry courses, not only will you be competent in building your own deck, but you will gain the skills to complete a number of different jobs around your home such as installing doors and repairing floors! This again can be a huge cost-saving bonus and saves you the stress and hassle of finding a quality and trustworthy carpenter to complete the job.
  • A New Career - One of the most rewarding benefits of gaining professional carpentry and building skills with Access Training is the potential that you gain in starting a totally new career! Simply by starting to learn the basic requirements needed to be able to build a deck, you can quickly gain a passion that can change your life. Become your own boss or start a team of other professional builders/carpenters with the help of Access Training today!

 

What Decking Should You Choose? 

Gaining the necessary skills and qualifications to be able to build your own deck is one thing, finding the right decking that is going to last is another. We now take a look at the options that you have and what is best for saving even more time, money and effort. 

When it comes to decking, there a whole host of choices that you can choose from, each one offering a different kind of benefit. Firstly, you have plastic. Plastic decking has been a hugely popular choice with homeowners in many countries due to its low-maintenance and cheap costs. However, it does come with its drawbacks. Most notably their complete synthetic makeup, which over time can cause them to bow or crack underfoot, meaning you have to then replace the damaged boards! Leading to more costs and time spent installing new boards.

Secondly, you have natural wood decking. This again has been a popular choice for many people when installing a deck in their home due to its natural wood look, but it also has its disadvantages. Over time, wood decking can begin to crack and splinter, as well as building up algae, causing the deck to become extremely slippery in wet conditions. These pose obvious safety hazards to you or anyone that walks on the deck, resulting in it having to be cared for and maintained on a regular basis. This again takes up much more of your time and money as you have to buy the necessary equipment and products.

Finally, there's the option of composite decking. Composite decking combines the natural wood appearance of wood decking with the low-maintenance properties of plastic decking. Eliminating the need for regular upkeep to retain its beautiful look or to keep it safe. Composite deck boards are created using a combination of natural hardwood and synthetic materials, creating a board that is the 'best of both worlds'. 

Just like our carpentry training courses, composite decking can be a real investment when it comes to building your deck. The initial costs involved with installing this premium decking option will soon pay itself back with its numerous benefits, such as never having to be stained, painted or sealed. Never cracking or producing splinters. Never fading or warping in hot and cold conditions and being slip-resistant when exposed to wet weather. All of these things combined with its organic, natural appearance makes composite decking the decking choice for any builders looking to build their own deck. 

Where to Purchase Composite Decking?

Composite decking can be bought from many known outdoor living and garden brands and companies such as Wickes and B&Q. However, we recommend that to achieve the best possible results for your deck and to use your newly learnt abilities fully, you buy composite deck boards from a specialist. One of the leading composite decking suppliers in the UK is DeckPlus - with showrooms in Cardiff, St Albans and Slough, DeckPlus have helped to transform outdoor living spaces all over the country. They offer a variety of deck boards, both capped and uncapped, in a range of colours and styles perfect for any design that you may have in mind.

DeckPlus Composite Decking >

 

It's important to remember, however, that in order to be able to properly install DeckPlus's composite decking boards, you will require all of the necessary building and carpentry skills. If you would like to be able to build your own deck, save money and time and gain the potential of starting a new career, enrol onto our Professional Carpentry Course today! 

Professional Carpentry Course >

 

For further information on our range of courses or if you have any general enquiries, then please do not hesitate to contact us today by calling 0800 345 7492 or emailing info@accesstraininguk.co.uk

 

Good news for builders, electricians and those who have studied on carpentry courses: the Government have announced a conservatory building initiative that could provide a huge boost to skilled, trained workers. 

The plans, which are hoped to kick-start the stalling British economy, will see homeowners given new opportunities to build large conservatories, extensions and other household constructions without worrying about expensive, problematic planning permission. People will be permitted to extend their homes by up to eight metres with no opposition thanks to the new relaxed regulations, while demand for quality builders, plumbers and carpenters is also expected to grow as more people choose to extend their properties. 

The rules are a temporary solution and will be applicable in the UK until 2015, and do not apply to loft extensions or multi-storey builds. Currently, domestic planning application fees are around £150, and paying professional advisors can cost thousands more. Planning permission is a barrier to many homeowners building extensions. And although around 90% of applications are eventually approved, they can drag on for months.

Skilled workers are also sure to benefit from other commercial aspects of the initiative, in which businesses will be able to expand shops by 100 square metres and industrial units by 200 sq. m without worrying about planning permission, so long as they own the premises. 

Alongside the removal of planning laws, the Government have also tried to give a shot in the arm to the housing industry, by underwriting £10 billion of borrowing for property developers and housing associations to build on sites, and launching an extension of the FirstBuy scheme, which will help first-time buyers without a deposit get an equity loan to get a mortgage. The Prime Minister David Cameron estimated that the plans would see an extra 70,000 houses being built in the UK and 140,000 jobs being created.

Are you looking to learn a trade to make the most of the renewed interest in house extensions and conservatory building in the UK? From carpentry courses to plumbing courses, electrical courses and much more, at Access Training we have a variety of flexible courses for all abilities.

Get in touch to learn more about our training courses!

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