DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SELF EMPLOYED CARPENTER ( do the small jobs matter?) 

Tip of the day from a pro joiner with 32 years on the tools. Invest some £££ in a quality dust extractor (Festools are brillliant), hook it up to your plunge saw, lay the door down on the floor, support your cutting edge on a 2 or 3" high batten to avoid accidental carpet-cutting disasters, and cut dust-free in the room - not outside on trestles. Saves all those trips up and down the stairs, enables you to make additional adjusting trims there & then if necessary, gets the job done in half the time = doubles your hourly earnings. Best wishes.

I always find that the small jobs are a great way to get your foot in the door. Spending 20 mins chatting with the client over a coffee and telling them what else you can do will always lead to more work.

I quite enjoy the smaller jobs, relitvly stress free and earn decent money from them, can always lead to doing bigger scale works in the customers home, keep up the good work mate

Measure from floor to the buttom hinge then allow a few mil to save measuring the whole opening. I find it easier this way when the doors have been taken off

Excellent work It's the simple attention to detail and showing respect to customers property when tiding up after work . You take pride in your work and it shows 👍 Best of luck in the future 🤞

I’m retired now, but in my younger days as a contractor carpenter, I spend more time in car parks arguing about money with builders than I did doing the job. Like getting blood out of a stone sometimes.

Nice video - honest work done right. Unlike all the clickbait videos of 'amazing new tools and techniques' and all that rubbish. Doing this basic work well, for people who can't do it themselves is what we need more of. And very reasonable prices too. Keep up the good work.

What a nice guy and a good tradesman too,enjoyed the video 👍👍

Definitely need more straight up, honest videos like this about all sorts of crafts. As a kid and a teen it was just office jobs that were presented to me. Barely got to learn about anything hands-on. Thanks! Also, I'm looking to get into video editing. If you're interested, let me know and I'll drop you some contact details!

Love this, I'm preparing to go self employed soon. Good to see a UK carpenter on here!

Just seen your video, will certainly follow you from now on.Good to hear your prices , and not ripping people off.

Just stumbled upon this video today, I used to do this kind of work but am now a General Contractor. Started 23 years ago when I moved to the US! You are a great craftsman! And kudos to you, wearing eye, ear and knee protection!

When you trim a door, always break the edge with sandpaper.

What a decent young lad mastering his trade! I'll look forward to the next video!!

Small jobs are very good and sometimes they bring more profit than bigger jobs. I started as a carpenter (site carpenter) and sometimes there was no workaround so I started doing a bit of plumbing, electrics, roofing, and tiling and next thing you know I was booked all the time. The only problem with the small jobs is that you end up pricing/invoicing every day and it can take a big part of your evening. I started taking payments using the SumUp card machine which sends the invoice to the client by email/phone or gives a receipt on the spot and you have the money in the bank the next day 100%. I didn't have many problems with clients not paying me but I find this more easier and not having to chase the client for the money. All the best.

I don’t know your market, but seems like you do not charge enough. You do good work. You’re clean cut and professional. You have a tool collection I’m jealous of and a nice work van. None of that comes cheap. Add 20 percent to all your fees and see what happens! I bet you get it.

Cracking video mate doors looked great, nicely done skirts and the was truly gone lovely job on the cill as well have a awesome week all the best Tony 👍

You must be strong man! Carrying them doors ain't no joke.

spot on with your assessment of the damp on the cill, its time consuming but I paint external frames / cills prior to fitting,

Enjoyed watching this bud🤩and nice to see a young gun like yourself getting on in our great trade👊Cheers Del

Great video. I'm a freelance creative director, so a very different line of work. The small jobs definitely matter to me. They're generally quite interesting, I can use them to fill the gaps in my week, and they all add up at the end of the month. ✌️

I follow a few trades on RU-vid, you're the 1st carpenter

Really enjoyed watching this video and how you explain everything you're doing. Also really appreciate the honesty with what you charge and make in a day. Thanks mate keep it up

Enjoyed the video mate I’m currently next year doing carpentry almost finished my multi trades year 1 corse now I’m waiting for my carpentry and joinery to begin and I’m gonna start looking for apprentiship soon and watching videos your videos helps me get ready for my corse this September brilliant keep it up lad!!

Love your work ethic and your professional aproach

Love these type of videos mate, can’t wait for more!

good morning just to let you know i love your videos and thank you for them , Yes please, as it’s so very useful to have an idea just how much jobs cost these days. if others don't wont to know tell them to turn off when you talk about cost. please keep giving prices, thanks again for all your hard work...

I bought dewalts battery powered blower. I use it to clean away the last little bit of sawdust from the cutting area and to clean my tools off

Just reopened a memory, new carpets, 9 solid doors, 3 story house, all the screws flat heads and hinges painted!

Great video very reasonable prices you charge. I'm a joiner of 30 years.

Nice bit of work on that last door!!!

I enjoyed this video! I liked the way it was shot as way too many trades people talk and hold the camera all the way which drives me nuts. Using a stand and watching you, and using dutch angles, you get a fuller picture of what the job entails. I subbed and looking forward to learning more from you! (I wanted to be a carpenter, self employed, just one problem - customers!! lol)

well done mate great video

Good job lad like the clips , I’ve done endless doors in universities ,library’s , high end and bespoke , get into a habit of using a small tool bag for doors and ditch the tool belt ! Heavy doors small spaces means you hold the door closer to carry , most likely to scratch the doors with your belt or Jean buckles ,,,, please remember Cause a cute customer will spot it , Felt your pain on the top floor I start furthest away while I’m fresh and fit Good luck mate Happy Easter

Love these type of vids , smashing it man

I'd have cut a small chamfer on any cut edges to help with splints and also looks more professional as it matches the uncut edges.

Nice work ,try to take a door off by removing the center pin in a door hinge with a nail set and hammer by taping the pin up and then out. It’s a lot easier than unscrewing the hinges

The little door where it wouldnt close, that had a ball catch, you can adjust them usually to take them further in or out. Just taking it in abit would have made the door shut. Nice vid btw I'm also a joiner for 11 years

Get yourself a vacuum for your tracksaw, save you moving doors or whatever else your cutting

Great job there m8 💚🙏 I think the hardwood seal, I believe generally or normally has a weather bar in that slot not for draught but for weather ingress with windy weather to stop driving rain coming inside 👍🏼

Small jobs all the way 👍 Great video 👌

Very good bro. I’ve got a door threshold to do soon as well. Not looking forward to it as it quite a thick one and the standard ones aren’t quite big enough. Oh well, I’ll find a way. More vid like this please 👍🏾

Scottish sparky here mate, checked out a few videos like watching other professionals work👍 Keep up the good work

Great job honestly I’m taking inspiration from this

Us carpenter's don't have it easy!! Like the sparks 😅🤣

More apprentice vids too please keep up the work bro love it 💯❤️💪🏼

You are quite clearly a success.take care.Give yourself a pay rise!!.respect .Andy Gayle.

Great vid mate love these ones the best keep up the great work 👍

Watched the video. Based in suffolk, that’s a fair price for what you have done. 👍🏻

Even some really good tradespeople would say. "Who cares about the barrier. I was hired just to replace a chunk of wood." But you obviously take good pride in your work and expect it to last long.

bro it's pricy, but get the festool tracksaw with the dust extractor, you can do those door inside. All in its about 1k , which is significant, but think how much time you save going up and down the stairs with the doors especially that one on the top floor, you get a tiny bit of dust on the floor negliable, charge the same but do them in. 1/4 of the time.

what i like about your videos is you're honest about how much you earn, people tend to not like talking about money but it should be spoken about more... transparency is a good thing

You asked if there were requests;- do a video on those kneepads. They look interesting! Keep up the good work!

Great video,just realised what area you was driving around. I worked and lived before moving to Pembrokeshire.

This was good ! Reminds me when I used to drive around quoting and “tiling” Now I just work for a bathroom company and they pay me really well. My works in widness. I get £40 per meter for tiling bathrooms. I can make 800£ for two days work. Which is really good but I don’t normally work 5 days a week. More like 3 or 4. Life is less stressful now I just turn up and they show me the bathroom and how they want it done. Tiles are all there and adhesive grout. I’ve worked so hard over the 16 years. I really feel like now I’m really happy how life’s going. Just make sure you clean up like you were never there and speak to customers with total respect. Even if they don’t deserve it. Some”. Customers will always remember you for being clean and polite. On your first job I have charged £ 250 And second job I would say 150. I would quote in £50s. £50 £100 £150 £200. If they try and knock you down then go in £20s. It’s clear that you buy all the best tools so they are not cheap ! But shows you are dedicated to do the best job you can. I have high faith you are going to do really well in years to come. Just keep trying to push yourself!

stumbled across your channel just now, kept my attention, very chilled and laidback and nicely laid out video. Regarding the prices damn bro that's way too cheap the first job for 5 doors, same as for the skirting readjustment, seems you're very competent at what you do, id charge more tbh!

I’m retired I am I am what in the US is called a general contractor carpentry tiling everything skirting over here is called baseboard I prefer the belt sander planner method and back bevel it take more off from behind and it’s easier to clean with electric or hand planer to the pencil line I was based in New York City

Great video only just found you, I do similar self employed but more of a handyman love my joinery jobs look forward to more videos 👍

Just found your channel pal...good honest hard working guy fair fucks...just got yaself a new sub pal.

I'd recommend learning a bit of painting for small jobs, its pretty cost effect just to do it while your there instead of the owner getting someone else in to do it, you'll be able to charger way more

The the cordless festool and vacuum you can attach the guidrail to the bottom of the door hence you wouldn't need to remove the door.

Great job, what a big difference.👍.

Love the videos man. Can you plz make a video on all your tools, equipment and PPE that you carry

Great video bro, respect to BC

Great work mate 👍

Great job but you can also turn the plunge saw on its side and cut the door while it’s fitted instead of taking them off

Really good content mate , nice one subscribed 🙌🏻🙌🏻

Ear defenders with that track saw mate over 140db just so you know

To scribe and lower the skirting that was very cheap. Would have thought at least £80

15:30 maybe water puddles just there, maybe the masonry part is not done properly.

Awesome channel man! Subscribing fo sho!

At last ! Nice job fella !! Dust sheet would be nice to top it off !!!

I quoted to remove some branches from an over hanging tree on a job while installing a stair banister . I said it's maybe an hours work . Anyhow it took less than 20 minutes , so the client told me to cut back some branches in her garden to make up the hour !! Now I quote £'s per job . My fault if I take longer than expected.

32 years running our family business, like most comments, getting paid . Get everything in writing,take part payments, if it’s not documented it never happened.goog luck to you bro

Subscribed! Excellent content. Keep at it mate.

Love the video..good job

Great professional there. Subscribed :)

Love those knee pads. Are they comfy to wear I use snickers trousers with built in soft knee pads. Cheers.

Solid work!

The first Job you done was great and took you 2.5 hrs with your experience £160.00 Labour seems low to me, remember a customer is paying for your skills and experience not the time it takes you, keep up the good work :)

Top man👍🏼nice video

New to your videos. I enjoyed this and will be following, your prices are very well priced, Which leads to even more work continuous eventually getting you the big contracts than over charging and barely get any work that I see in other trades.

The small jobs are the best,working on site with other contractors can be a pain,also here in Liverpool I would charge £180 a day and less for say fitting new doors usually £50-60 a door

Great video mate 👏💪

When I trim doors I just measure from the bottom hinge to the floor then transfer the measurement onto the door

Mate you work hard

Great job I’m an apprentice carpenter working in the council you may know my dad as well

Great video, I would love to learn how to price jobs

Small jobs absolutely matter. Im an electrician they fill in the gaps between bigger jobs and are good for cashflow as you get paid there and then.

Love your work ethic, transparency and quality of work 🙌🏾 Where are you based?

Curious why you don’t just pull the hinge pins rather than unscrew the hinges…don’t forget your eye /ear protection on your last door.😉

Great video mate

great video

Measure from the bottom of the bottom hinge

You were doing a nice job mate up until you used some tarp under the new cill. Better than nothing but as you probably know it should of been some DPM 👍

Why not trim the doors in place? The Dewalt tracksaw does a good job and all you need is to hand finish the last half inch or so.

good video

As a chippy. You should know that if you use an extractor on that plunge saw. You dnt need to take the doors off 😒 every day is a school day lad

those Woven plastic tarps do not work well as a damp course they leak due to the woven construction just use some good black plastic far better

Nice work