Carpenters in
Reading, PA
15 carpenters listed in Reading
Carpenters in Reading at a glance
- 15 carpenters are listed in Reading, PA on Ratedeed.
- 6 of the 8 listings shown here include a phone number you can call directly.
- Listings cover 10 ZIP codes in and around Reading, including 19601, 19602, 19604, 19605, 19606, 19607.
Carpenters elsewhere in Pennsylvania: Philadelphia (80), Pittsburgh (57), Harrisburg (30), Allentown (22), Erie (19), York (16)
Homes and carpenters in Reading: the local numbers
Housing in Reading
- Reading has about 36,032 homes (housing units).
- The typical (median) home was built in 1939 or earlier, at least 26 years older than the Pennsylvania median of 1965.
- 90% of homes were built before 1980 and 75% before 1960; 2% were built in 2010 or later.
- The median value of an owner-occupied home is $121,300.
- 41% of occupied homes are owner-occupied and 59% are rented.
- 12% of homes are single-family detached houses.
- The most common heating fuel is natural gas from a utility (54% of homes), followed by electricity (28%).
- The median home has 5.6 rooms.
- Median gross rent is $1,067 a month.
- That makes Reading's housing among the older stock in the country: the typical U.S. home was built in 1980.
- Home values run 52% below the Pennsylvania median of $254,500.
- Most occupied homes here are rented (59%), so tenants should get their landlord's approval before hiring anyone for repairs or alterations.
- Heating oil is far more common here than nationally: 14% of homes use it, against 4% across the U.S.
- Apartments, condos and attached homes make up most of the housing: only 12% of homes are detached houses, so many jobs involve building rules, shared walls or a condo board.
With 90% of Reading'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 (Reading, PA).
Carpenters workforce in the Reading, PA area
- Median hourly wage
- $26.41
- People employed
- 760
- In the Reading, PA metro area, carpenters earned a median of $26.41 an hour ($54,930 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $18.05–$37.98.
- About 760 people work in this occupation in the metro area.
- 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 Reading and what it means for carpenters
- The average temperature in Reading is 53°F; summer afternoons average 83°F and winter nights 24°F.
- It gets about 43 inches of precipitation a year.
- There are about 110 nights a year at or below freezing and about 15 days at 90°F or hotter.
- It is a heating-dominated climate: about 5,390 heating degree days a year against 895 cooling degree days.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Reading Spaatz Field station USW00014712 (3.3 km from the city centre).
Top Carpenters in Reading
Listings include contact details and service areas. Check licensing with your state board before hiring.
Showing 8 of 15. See every listing in Reading
More carpenters elsewhere in Pennsylvania
Listed in other Pennsylvania cities, not in Reading.
Licensing and consumer protection in Pennsylvania
Check that any carpenter you hire is licensed and insured before you sign a contract or pay a deposit.
Who regulates this trade
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General (Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act registration) / Municipal trade licensing
Verify a licence on the official register →Insurance and workers' compensation
Registration required with the PA Attorney General under HICPA for contractors performing over $5,000 in home improvement work annually. Mandatory minimum of $50,000 in personal injury and property damage liability insurance.
Mechanic's lien protection
Pennsylvania mechanics liens for residential projects require a written notice of intent to file a lien sent to the homeowner at least 30 days before filing. The lien itself must be filed within 6 months of the last work performed. Residential property liens require a preliminary notice and cannot be filed on owner-occupied single-family residences unless the homeowner signed a contract specifically allowing it. Always review contracts carefully and collect lien waivers at each payment milestone.
What catches homeowners out in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA, 73 P.S. § 517.1 et seq.) requires any contractor performing home improvements exceeding $5,000 per year to register with the PA Attorney General and maintain at least $50,000 in liability insurance. The law strictly regulates contracts, requiring clear start and end dates, total cost, specifications, and a 3-day right of rescission. Unregistered contractors cannot legally enforce home improvement contracts in PA courts. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh enforce additional municipal trade certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about hiring contractors
How much do carpenters earn in the Reading area?
In the Reading, PA metro area, carpenters earned a median of $26.41 an hour ($54,930 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $18.05–$37.98. About 760 people work in this occupation in the metro area. 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 Reading?
The typical home in Reading was built in 1939 or earlier, and 90% of homes were built before 1980. The median owner-occupied home is worth $121,300. With 90% of Reading'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 Reading?
Carpenter rates in Reading 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 Reading carpenters on Ratedeed to compare estimates.
Do I need a permit for carpentry work in Reading?
Cosmetic woodwork, interior trim, and cabinet installation do not require permits in Reading, PA. However, structural carpentry — including load-bearing wall removal, room additions, framing alterations, and deck construction — requires a municipal permit. Contact the Reading building department for permit requirements.
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 Reading specialize in one area, while general carpenters handle both.
How do I find a skilled carpenter near Reading?
On Ratedeed, you can browse carpenters serving Reading 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.
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