A joiner is an artisan and trader who builds materials by joining pieces of wood, particularly lighter and more ornamental work than a carpenter does, including furniture and house fittings. 

The method of joining two or more pieces of wood is joinery. gJoinery involves joining two pieces of wood through glue, hammer, or screws, but it may be as complex as using very intricate joints. Although the main function of joinery is to firmly and safely hold wood together, it may also be a decorative aspect of the project in which the joinery is used. 

In most woodworking, joinery is an important component and it is used in chairs, cabinetry, windows and doors, flooring, and much more. It is a specialised field of carpentry, and as such, instead of a general carpenter, you can have a specialised joiner or cabinetmaker to do the job.

What jobs does a joiner do?

• Learning the uses of multiple wood types and picking the best material for the job 
• Understanding technical drawings and how the building would suit your job 
• Carrying out site surveys 
• Production of design drawings, along with sketches of the necessary work and requirements 
• Measurement and labelling of wood in accordance with professional designs 
• Wood cutting in machines or by hand 
• Deal for vendors and subcontractors 
• Producing cutting lists 
• Estimating the necessary materials for a job 
• Usage of a variety of tools, from conventional instruments to state-of-the-art computerised cutting equipment and applications for hi-tech drawing and design

What questions to ask before hiring a joiner?

What qualifications and accreditations do they have?

Price isn’t everything, and there are poorly skilled tradesmen prepared to work for peanuts just to secure the work. You don’t want this kind of tradesman working on your home. Instead, make sure you are searching for qualified, time-served and accredited professionals, who have the skills and experience required to do a good job. Especially with joinery, the work can often be structurally important. With accreditations and proof of qualification, you can then be sure you’re engaging the services of a true professional.

Are they insured?

Have an honest discussion about their insurance with the prospective joiner. Be sure you both are informed about the procedure in case you are not happy with the outcome. 

The best joiners should be straightforward with their insurance policies and the process for grievances. If this is not being discussed by the joiner, they should be avoided.

Are they Licensed?

Almost all Australian states or territories need a trade-specific license for carpenters/joiners, but others do so according to their local licencing authorities. For some states carpenters/joiners are also allowed to hold a builders licence.

What valid references do they have?

Joiners often trade by their reputation. Asking friends and family members for their experiences or recommendations can be a great starting point, helping you locate joiners who have completed at least one project to a satisfactory standard. While reviews and the opinions of others will not always guarantee you find the right joiner, they can give you a solid indication of past performance.

Do they offer multiple quotes? 

The first thing to do when you’re looking to secure the services of a joiner is to get quotes from a few local Tradies, you can find them at Service.com.au. At a minimum, three quotes is a sound basis for making your judgement. Joiners can quote wildly different rates for the same jobs, so make sure you know exactly what you want them to do, and what the quote they are providing covers. This allows you to get a feel for pricing across the board, and with more quotes, you are better able to choose according to your budget.

Service.com.au provides thousands of users with various businesses from interior design to carpentry and plumbing. Simply search for tradesmen in your area and select the business that best suits your needs. 

If you're needing help finding a carpenter/joiner for your latest project, click the link below to receive multiple quotes from professional joiners.

FAQs

Q: What types of wood do joiners use?

A: Joiners use different types of wood depending on the type of joinery. SOme of the common wood types are - Jarrah, Karri, Cedar, New Guinea Rosewood, Walnut, American White Oak, Tasmanian Oak

Q: Why is wood a good choice for doors and windows?

A: Wood is a natural thermal insulator, it’s traditional, and it looks beautiful.

Q: When is a good time for installation?

A: Depending on each professional, some joiners work during and after office hours as well as the weekends. It is good to check with your joiner’s schedule and availability and see when is a good time to meet them.

Q: How much does joinery cost?

A: The costs depend on the type of job that needs to be done. Generally small scale projects may cost from $500 to upwards of $2000. The average cost of joinery services is $55/hr.