Carpenters in
San Francisco, CA
49 carpenters listed in San Francisco
San Francisco's housing market has softened slightly from its pandemic peak but remains extremely expensive. Renovated Victorians and Edwardians in Noe Valley and Pacific Heights are the most sought-after properties. The city's strict building limits mean renovated homes are in constant demand, often selling with multiple offers above asking.
Carpenters in San Francisco at a glance
- 49 carpenters are listed in San Francisco, CA on Ratedeed.
- 7 of the 7 listings shown here include a phone number you can call directly.
- Listings cover 28 ZIP codes in and around San Francisco, including 94102, 94103, 94104, 94105, 94107, 94108.
Carpenters elsewhere in California: Los Angeles (99), San Diego (98), San Jose (81), Sacramento (69), Fresno (55), Bakersfield (53)
Homes and carpenters in San Francisco: the local numbers
Housing in San Francisco
- San Francisco has about 414,602 homes (housing units).
- The typical (median) home was built in 1946, 30 years older than the California median of 1976.
- 76% of homes were built before 1980 and 61% before 1960; 8% were built in 2010 or later.
- The median value of an owner-occupied home is $1,394,500.
- 38% of occupied homes are owner-occupied and 62% are rented.
- 18% of homes are single-family detached houses.
- The most common heating fuel is natural gas from a utility (55% of homes), followed by electricity (36%).
- The median home has 4 rooms.
- Median gross rent is $2,476 a month.
- That makes San Francisco's housing among the older stock in the country: the typical U.S. home was built in 1980.
- Home values run 90% above the California median of $734,700.
- Most occupied homes here are rented (62%), so tenants should get their landlord's approval before hiring anyone for repairs or alterations.
- Apartments, condos and attached homes make up most of the housing: only 18% of homes are detached houses, so many jobs involve building rules, shared walls or a condo board.
With 76% of San Francisco'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 (San Francisco, CA).
Carpenters workforce in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA area
- Median hourly wage
- $42.89
- People employed
- 14,010
- In the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, carpenters earned a median of $42.89 an hour ($89,200 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $28.38–$63.83.
- About 14,010 people work in this occupation in the metro area.
- That is a higher share of local jobs than the national average (location quotient 1.37).
- 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 San Francisco and what it means for carpenters
- The average temperature in San Francisco is 57°F; summer afternoons average 67°F and winter nights 46°F.
- It gets about 24 inches of precipitation a year.
- There are about 0 nights a year at or below freezing and about 2 days at 90°F or hotter.
- It is a heating-dominated climate: about 2,909 heating degree days a year against 113 cooling degree days.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, San Francisco Downtown station USW00023272 (0.7 km from the city centre).
How San Francisco ranks against other U.S. cities
- San Francisco has the 7th-oldest housing of the 183 cities RateDeed covers (tied): the typical home was built in 1946. See the ranking
- Carpenters in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn the 2nd-highest median wage of 292 metros: $42.89 an hour. See the ranking
Ranked against the other cities in RateDeed's research, using the figures above.
Top Carpenters in San Francisco
Listings include contact details and service areas. Check licensing with your state board before hiring.
Showing 7 of 49. See every listing in San Francisco
More carpenters elsewhere in California
Listed in other California cities, not in San Francisco.
Licensing and consumer protection in California
Check that any carpenter you hire is licensed and insured before you sign a contract or pay a deposit.
Who regulates this trade
California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
Verify a licence on the official register →Insurance and workers' compensation
$1 million general liability minimum. Workers' compensation is mandatory for any contractor with employees. Bond of $25,000 required for licensure (increased under SB 607).
Mechanic's lien protection
California has one of the strictest lien regimes in the country. Preliminary 20-day notices must be sent within 20 days of starting work. Mechanics liens must be filed within 90 days after project completion (or 60 days after a notice of completion is recorded). Unpaid subcontractors and suppliers can place liens on your property even if you've paid your general contractor in full. Always collect lien waivers from all parties before making final payment.
What catches homeowners out in California
California's CSLB license verification is critical — always check a contractor's license number at cslb.ca.gov and confirm it is active and in good standing. California law requires a $25,000 contractor surety bond on every licensed contractor as a consumer protection backstop. For projects over $1,000 (labor and materials combined under Business & Professions Code § 7048), a valid CSLB license is legally required. Unlicensed contractors face criminal misdemeanor charges, and homeowners who hire them forfeit key statutory protections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about hiring contractors
How much do carpenters earn in the San Francisco area?
In the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area, carpenters earned a median of $42.89 an hour ($89,200 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $28.38–$63.83. About 14,010 people work in this occupation in the metro area. That is a higher share of local jobs than the national average (location quotient 1.37). 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 San Francisco?
The typical home in San Francisco was built in 1946, and 76% of homes were built before 1980. The median owner-occupied home is worth $1,394,500. With 76% of San Francisco'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 San Francisco?
Carpenter rates in San Francisco 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 San Francisco carpenters on Ratedeed to compare estimates.
Do I need a permit for carpentry work in San Francisco?
Cosmetic woodwork, interior trim, and cabinet installation do not require permits in San Francisco, CA. However, structural carpentry — including load-bearing wall removal, room additions, framing alterations, and deck construction — requires a municipal permit. Permits in San Francisco are handled by the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI), 49 South Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94103 and typically take 15–60 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 San Francisco specialize in one area, while general carpenters handle both.
How do I find a skilled carpenter near San Francisco?
On Ratedeed, you can browse carpenters serving San Francisco 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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What to Know Before Hiring a Carpenter in San Francisco
Local information for homeowners
Building Department
San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI), 49 South Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA 94103
Avg permit processing: 15–60 business days
Visit Building Dept Website🌤️ Climate Considerations
San Francisco's microclimates vary dramatically neighborhood by neighborhood. The Sunset and Richmond districts experience heavy fog and moisture that can cause mold and wood rot, requiring extra vapor barriers and rot-resistant materials. Seismic retrofitting is a constant priority — soft-story wood frame buildings must be retrofitted under the city's mandatory seismic program. Coastal areas require salt-resistant finishes on all exterior metals.
💡 Local Tip
San Francisco's building department is one of the most stringent in the country. Almost any interior renovation in a multi-unit building requires a building permit and neighbor notification. Plan for 6–12 weeks of permit processing for anything beyond cosmetic changes. If your home is a designated landmark or in a historic district, you'll also need approval from the Historic Preservation Commission, adding another 4–8 weeks.
📈 Housing Market
San Francisco's housing market has softened slightly from its pandemic peak but remains extremely expensive. Renovated Victorians and Edwardians in Noe Valley and Pacific Heights are the most sought-after properties. The city's strict building limits mean renovated homes are in constant demand, often selling with multiple offers above asking.
Top Neighborhoods
Other Categories in San Francisco
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