Carpenters in
Queens, NY
Browse carpenters near Queens
Long Island City and Astoria have seen explosive condo development, while neighborhoods like Jackson Heights and Flushing offer more affordable single-family options. Renovated homes in Forest Hills and Kew Gardens consistently sell above asking price.
Homes and carpenters in Queens: the local numbers
Housing in Queens
- Queens has about 910,206 homes (housing units).
- The typical (median) home was built in 1953, 6 years older than the New York median of 1959.
- 83% of homes were built before 1980 and 63% before 1960; 6% were built in 2010 or later.
- The median value of an owner-occupied home is $723,800.
- 45% of occupied homes are owner-occupied and 55% are rented.
- 19% of homes are single-family detached houses.
- The most common heating fuel is natural gas from a utility (74% of homes), followed by electricity (10%).
- The median home has 4.3 rooms.
- Median gross rent is $1,956 a month.
- That makes Queens's housing among the older stock in the country: the typical U.S. home was built in 1980.
- Home values run 71% above the New York median of $423,800.
- Most occupied homes here are rented (55%), so tenants should get their landlord's approval before hiring anyone for repairs or alterations.
- Heating oil is far more common here than nationally: 10% of homes use it, against 4% across the U.S.
- Apartments, condos and attached homes make up most of the housing: only 19% of homes are detached houses, so many jobs involve building rules, shared walls or a condo board.
With 83% of Queens's homes built before 1980, many are covered by federal lead rules: any home built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, and under the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule, contractors who disturb painted surfaces in those homes must be lead-safe certified by the EPA or an authorized state program. Ask to see the firm's certification.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates (Queens County, NY).
Carpenters workforce in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area
- Median hourly wage
- $35.72
- People employed
- 34,210
- In the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area, carpenters earned a median of $35.72 an hour ($74,300 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $22.53–$59.52.
- About 34,210 people work in this occupation in the metro area.
- That is a lower share of local jobs than the national average (location quotient 0.84).
- These are what workers earn, not what carpenters charge: a contractor's hourly rate also covers insurance, licensing, vehicles, overhead and profit.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Carpenters).
Climate in Queens and what it means for carpenters
- The average temperature in Queens is 56°F; summer afternoons average 83°F and winter nights 29°F.
- It gets about 45 inches of precipitation a year, including about 27 inches of snow.
- There are about 67 nights a year at or below freezing and about 17 days at 90°F or hotter.
- It is a heating-dominated climate: about 4,665 heating degree days a year against 1,213 cooling degree days.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, LA Guardia Airport station USW00014732 (3.1 km from the city centre).
How Queens ranks against other U.S. cities
- Queens has the 23rd-oldest housing of the 183 cities RateDeed covers (tied): the typical home was built in 1953. See the ranking
- Carpenters in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area earn the 23rd-highest median wage of 293 metros: $35.72 an hour. See the ranking
Ranked against the other cities in RateDeed's research, using the figures above.
Top Carpenters in Queens
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Licensing and consumer protection in New York
Check that any carpenter you hire is licensed and insured before you sign a contract or pay a deposit.
Who regulates this trade
Local Municipal & County Consumer Agencies (NYC Dept of Consumer and Worker Protection - DCWP, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester) / NYS Department of State for specific trades
Verify a licence on the official register →Insurance and workers' compensation
General liability minimum varies by municipality; NYC requires $1M per occurrence. Workers' compensation is mandatory for any contractor with employees.
Mechanic's lien protection
In New York, contractors and subcontractors must file a mechanics lien within 8 months of completing work (4 months for single-family homes). The lien must be enforced within 1 year of filing. Homeowners should always obtain a lien waiver from their contractor upon final payment to protect against potential liens from unpaid subcontractors or suppliers.
What catches homeowners out in New York
In New York, home improvement contractor licensing is governed at the local municipal and county level rather than by a single statewide home improvement board. New York City requires all home improvement contractors to be licensed by the NYC DCWP. Contractors performing plumbing, electrical, or fire suppression work must hold trade licenses from the NYC Department of Buildings. Always verify county or municipal licenses directly with local consumer affairs before signing contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about hiring contractors
How much do carpenters earn in the Queens area?
In the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area, carpenters earned a median of $35.72 an hour ($74,300 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $22.53–$59.52. About 34,210 people work in this occupation in the metro area. That is a lower share of local jobs than the national average (location quotient 0.84). These are what workers earn, not what carpenters charge: a contractor's hourly rate also covers insurance, licensing, vehicles, overhead and profit. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
How old are homes in Queens?
The typical home in Queens was built in 1953, and 83% of homes were built before 1980. The median owner-occupied home is worth $723,800. With 83% of Queens's homes built before 1980, many are covered by federal lead rules: any home built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint, and under the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule, contractors who disturb painted surfaces in those homes must be lead-safe certified by the EPA or an authorized state program. Ask to see the firm's certification. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates.
How much do carpenters charge in Queens?
Carpenter rates in Queens typically range from $45–$95 per hour, with finish carpenters and custom cabinetmakers charging $70–$120/hr. Project costs vary by scope: trim and crown molding installations average $500–$2,000, framing repairs run $800–$3,500, and custom built-in cabinetry ranges from $1,500 to $6,000+. Request quotes from multiple Queens carpenters on Ratedeed to compare estimates.
Do I need a permit for carpentry work in Queens?
Cosmetic woodwork, interior trim, and cabinet installation do not require permits in Queens, NY. However, structural carpentry — including load-bearing wall removal, room additions, framing alterations, and deck construction — requires a municipal permit. Permits in Queens are handled by the NYC Department of Buildings, Queens Borough Office, 120-55 Queens Blvd, Kew Gardens, NY 11424 and typically take 10–25 business days to process.
What is the difference between finish carpentry and rough carpentry?
Rough carpentry focuses on the structural backbone of a building (wall framing, roof trusses, floor joists, subflooring). Finish carpentry involves decorative, visible woodwork after walls and drywall are completed (baseboards, crown molding, door casing, stairs, and cabinetry). Many carpenters in Queens specialize in one area, while general carpenters handle both.
How do I find a skilled carpenter near Queens?
On Ratedeed, you can browse carpenters serving Queens and view reviews from local homeowners. Ask to see a portfolio of recent carpentry work, check proof of liability insurance, and obtain a written estimate outlining material costs and labor before starting your project.
What to Know Before Hiring a Carpenter in Queens
Local information for homeowners
Building Department
NYC Department of Buildings, Queens Borough Office, 120-55 Queens Blvd, Kew Gardens, NY 11424
Avg permit processing: 10–25 business days
Visit Building Dept Website🌤️ Climate Considerations
Queens experiences significant temperature swings between seasons, making proper insulation critical for year-round comfort. Homes near Flushing Meadows and other low-lying areas are prone to flooding during heavy rains. Consider installing backflow preventers and sump pumps, especially if your home has a below-grade basement.
💡 Local Tip
Queens has a high concentration of one- and two-family homes that are ideal for renovation, but many sit on small lots with strict setback requirements. Before planning an addition, verify zoning lot coverage limits with a surveyor. Also, basement conversions are popular but must meet legal egress and ceiling height requirements to be counted as livable space.
📈 Housing Market
Long Island City and Astoria have seen explosive condo development, while neighborhoods like Jackson Heights and Flushing offer more affordable single-family options. Renovated homes in Forest Hills and Kew Gardens consistently sell above asking price.
Top Neighborhoods
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