Carpenters in
San Jose, CA
81 carpenters listed in San Jose
Carpenters in San Jose at a glance
- 81 carpenters are listed in San Jose, CA on Ratedeed.
- 11 of the 11 listings shown here include a phone number you can call directly.
- Listings cover 31 ZIP codes in and around San Jose, including 95070, 95109, 95110, 95111, 95112, 95113.
Carpenters elsewhere in California: Los Angeles (99), San Diego (98), Sacramento (69), Fresno (55), Bakersfield (53), Anaheim (51)
Homes and carpenters in San Jose: the local numbers
Housing in San Jose
- San Jose has about 345,066 homes (housing units).
- The typical (median) home was built in 1976, close to the California median of 1976.
- 60% of homes were built before 1980 and 19% before 1960; 9% were built in 2010 or later.
- The median value of an owner-occupied home is $1,233,200.
- 56% of occupied homes are owner-occupied and 44% are rented.
- 51% of homes are single-family detached houses.
- The most common heating fuel is natural gas from a utility (58% of homes), followed by electricity (37%).
- The median home has 5 rooms.
- Median gross rent is $2,669 a month.
- Home values run 68% above the California median of $734,700.
With 60% of San Jose'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 Jose, CA).
Carpenters workforce in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area
- Median hourly wage
- $38.55
- People employed
- 4,460
- In the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, carpenters earned a median of $38.55 an hour ($80,190 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $26.54–$64.36.
- About 4,460 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 San Jose and what it means for carpenters
- The average temperature in San Jose is 62°F; summer afternoons average 82°F and winter nights 43°F.
- It gets about 15 inches of precipitation a year.
- There are about 2 nights a year at or below freezing and about 20 days at 90°F or hotter.
- It is a heating-dominated climate: about 2,001 heating degree days a year against 730 cooling degree days.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, San Jose station USW00023293 (7.8 km from the city centre).
Top Carpenters in San Jose
Listings include contact details and service areas. Check licensing with your state board before hiring.
Showing 11 of 81. See every listing in San Jose
More carpenters elsewhere in California
Listed in other California cities, not in San Jose.
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 Jose area?
In the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, carpenters earned a median of $38.55 an hour ($80,190 a year) in May 2025, and the middle 80% earned $26.54–$64.36. About 4,460 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 San Jose?
The typical home in San Jose was built in 1976, and 60% of homes were built before 1980. The median owner-occupied home is worth $1,233,200. With 60% of San Jose'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 Jose?
Carpenter rates in San Jose 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 Jose carpenters on Ratedeed to compare estimates.
Do I need a permit for carpentry work in San Jose?
Cosmetic woodwork, interior trim, and cabinet installation do not require permits in San Jose, CA. However, structural carpentry — including load-bearing wall removal, room additions, framing alterations, and deck construction — requires a municipal permit. Contact the San Jose 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 San Jose specialize in one area, while general carpenters handle both.
How do I find a skilled carpenter near San Jose?
On Ratedeed, you can browse carpenters serving San Jose 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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