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What is the difference between a carpenter and a woodworker?

Carpenters and woodworkers both build things out of wood, and while their job responsibilities are similar, their day-to-day activities are quite different. A carpenter usually works at a construction site, such as a home or office being built, while a woodworker typically works in a factory or workshop setting.

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Carpenters and woodworkers both build things out of wood, and while their job responsibilities are similar, their day-to-day activities are quite different. A carpenter usually works at a construction site, such as a home or office being built, while a woodworker typically works in a factory or workshop setting. Carpenters are required to be familiar with a wide variety of products and processes in building construction, such as framing floors and walls, selecting and installing windows and doors, and adding drywall and insulation. Woodworkers, on the other hand, tend to deal exclusively with machines and tools that shape and prep wood and wood composite products.

Carpenter

Carpenters typically work at construction sites, where they erect or install parts of buildings or other structures such as bridges. In private homes or office buildings they can work on a wide variety of tasks with many types of materials, but can also specialize in specific materials or tasks. A carpenter can be expected to know how to size and install many different building fixtures, materials and additions, making sure that they are level and square. Another kind of carpenter known as a rough carpenter also works at construction sites for large projects, such as bridges or office towers, where they construct the wood forms for cement foundations, footings and pillars.

Job responsibilities of a carpenter include:

Calculating the number of building materials needed, and placing orders for them

Following building or room blueprints

Installing structures, frameworks and fixtures, such as walls, windows and doors, interior and exterior trim, siding, flooring, drywall and insulation

Inspecting and replacing damaged parts of buildings or rooms

Measuring, cutting and shaping wood, plastic, and other building materials

Woodworker

Woodworkers typically work in factories or workshops. They build products such as cabinets, furniture, or home and office features such as paneling or shelving. While some woodworking products are custom-made and include parts that woodworkers make by hand, the majority of woodworking products are mass-produced using specialized, automated machinery. Woodworkers control the quality of wood products by selecting the appropriate wood, judging the appearance and accuracy of each shaped part, and examining the finished product for flaws.

Job responsibilities of a woodworker include:

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How much does it cost to build a woodshop?

Building a shop costs $30 to $200 per square foot. You'll pay $30 to $50 per square foot for a metal prefab kit with minimal finishing. Custom options run $50 to $200 per square foot.

Steel or Metal Outbuilding Prices

Steel or metal outbuilding prices range from $15 to $70 per square foot. You’ll pay less to have a pro assemble a prefab kit, and more for them to build it from scratch. This style tends to be the most affordable unless you’re planning to line it with Kevlar to make it impact-resistant.

Concrete, Stone or Brick Outbuildings

If you want a concrete outbuilding, you can expect to pay $15 to $50 per square foot. The material is the least expensive option, but it’s heavy. More labor leads to a higher price. Stone or brick outbuildings cost $50 to $150 per square foot. These materials are the most expensive, at around $30 to $100 per square foot. You’ll probably need custom construction, which explains the higher price.

Building Permits

A building permit costs $500 to $2,300. Prices depend on your area and the size of the project. Building a second structure onto your existing property usually requires building permits. Every city has specific rules you must follow, such as the outbuilding’s proximity to your house. Pros may or may not handle this for you, so it’s wise to ask. If you live in a community with a homeowners association, you’ll probably also need to get permission from them.

Cost to Build a Workshop in the Backyard

The price to build a workshop in the backyard ranges from $6,000 to $120,000, or $30 to $200 per square foot. The total depends on size, materials and finish.

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