FAQs - BarneyThomasCarpentry.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What communities do you serve?
I generally work within a 45-minute drive of my home in Wendell. That includes Cary, Garner, Raleigh, and Zebulon. If it's a complex carpentry project that I mostly work on from my studio, I may be able to extend the driving distance.

Do you give free estimates?
Yes. We'll talk on the phone first, and then, if it's a project I can take on, I'll come out to your home and get a more exacting sense of what you need. Sometimes I can give you a ballpark estimate right away; other times, I may need to do a little research on material costs.

How much do you charge?
I charge an hourly rate of $40, with a two-hour minimum, plus whatever I pay for materials. (If I get a contractor's discount, I pass the savings on to you.) As a courtesy to my customers, I haul away job-related trash to the dump at no charge.

Do you do all the work yourself?
Yes. I never contract out to anyone else. If I'm installing something much too heavy for one man to lift, I'll get someone to help me move it, but that's it.

Are there projects you don't take on?
Yes, a few. I don't do roof work anymore (it's a younger man's game). I don't do electrical or plumbing work (I'm not licensed to do it) and I no longer clean gutters. And, while I'll gladly build a small garage, shed or backyard studio for you, I don't build homes or furniture.

Can you provide references?
Sure. If you'd like to speak with one or two of my customers, just let me know and I'll ask them to expect a call from you.