Finish Carpentry Contractors
Description
This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in finish carpentry work. The work performed may include new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. Illustrative Examples: Built-in wood cabinets constructed on site Molding or trim, wood or plastic, installation Countertop (except ceramic tile or stone), residential-type, installation Paneling installation Door and window frame construction Garage door, residential-type, installation Prefabricated kitchen and bath cabinet, residential-type, installation Ship joinery contractors Millwork installation Window and door, residential-type, of any material, prefabricated, installation
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Construction 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Construction sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in the construction of buildings or engineering projects (e.g., highways and utility systems). Establishments primarily engaged in the preparation of sites for new construction and establishments primarily engaged in subdividing land for sale as building sites also are included in this sector. Construction work done may include new work, additions, alterations, or maintenance and repairs. Activities of these establishments generally are managed at a fixed place of business, but they usually perform construction activities at multiple project sites. Production responsibilities for establishments in this sector are usually specified in (1) contracts with the owners of construction projects (prime contracts) or (2) contracts with other construction establishments (subcontracts). Establishments primarily engaged in contracts that include responsibility for all aspects of individual construction projects are commonly known as general contractors, but also may be known as design-builders, construction managers, turnkey contractors, or (in cases where two or more establishments jointly secure a general contract) joint-venture contractors. Construction managers that provide oversight and scheduling only (i.e., agency) as well as construction managers that are responsible for the entire project (i.e., at risk) are included as general contractor type establishments. Establishments of the "general contractor type" frequently arrange construction of separate parts of their projects through subcontracts with other construction establishments. Establishments primarily engaged in activities to produce a specific component (e.g., masonry, painting, and electrical work) of a construction project are commonly known as specialty trade contractors. Activities of specialty trade contractors are usually subcontracted from other construction establishments, but especially in remodeling and repair construction, the work may be done directly for the owner of the property. Establishments primarily engaged in activities to construct buildings to be sold on sites that they own are known as for-sale builders, but also may be known as speculative builders or merchant builders. For-sale builders produce buildings in a manner similar to general contractors, but their production processes also include site acquisition and securing of financial backing. For-sale builders are most often associated with the construction of residential buildings. Like general contractors, they may subcontract all or part of the actual construction work on their buildings. There are substantial differences in the types of equipment, work force skills, and other inputs required by establishments in this sector. To highlight these differences and variations in the underlying production functions, this sector is divided into three subsectors. Subsector 236, Construction of Buildings, comprises establishments of the general contractor type and for-sale builders involved in the construction of buildings. Subsector 237, Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction, comprises establishments involved in the construction of engineering projects. Subsector 238, Specialty Trade Contractors, comprises establishments engaged in specialty trade activities generally needed in the construction of all types of buildings. Force account construction is construction work performed by an enterprise primarily engaged in some business other than construction for its own account, using employees of the enterprise. This activity is not included in the construction sector unless the construction work performed is the primary activity of a separate establishment of the enterprise. The installation and the ongoing repair and maintenance of telecommunications and utility networks is excluded from construction when the establishments performing the work are not independent contractors. Although a growing proportion of this work is subcontracted to independent contractors in the Construction sector, the operating units of telecommunications and utility companies performing this work are included with the telecommunications or utility activities. |
| 238 | Specialty Trade Contractors 3-digit subsector | The Specialty Trade Contractors subsector comprises establishments whose primary activity is performing specific activities (e.g., pouring concrete, site preparation, plumbing, painting, and electrical work) involved in building construction or other activities that are similar for all types of construction, but that are not responsible for the entire project. The work performed may include new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. The production work performed by establishments in this subsector is usually subcontracted from establishments of the general contractor type or for-sale builders, but especially in remodeling and repair construction, work also may be done directly for the owner of the property. Specialty trade contractors usually perform most of their work at the construction site, although they may have shops where they perform prefabrication and other work. Establishments primarily engaged in preparing sites for new construction are also included in this subsector. There are substantial differences in types of equipment, work force skills, and other inputs required by specialty trade contractors. Establishments in this subsector are classified based on the underlying production function for the specialty trade in which they specialize. Throughout the Specialty Trade Contractors subsector, establishments commonly provide both the parts and labor required to complete work. For example, electrical contractors supply the current-carrying and noncurrent-carrying wiring devices that are required to install a circuit. Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors also supply the parts required to complete a contract. Establishments that specialize in activities primarily related to heavy and civil engineering construction that are not normally performed on buildings, such as the painting of lines on highways, are classified in Subsector 237, Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction. Establishments that are primarily engaged in selling construction materials are classified in Sector 42, Wholesale Trade, or Sector 44-45, Retail Trade, based on the characteristics of the selling unit. |
| 2383 | Building Finishing Contractors 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in the specialty trades needed to finish buildings. The work performed may include new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. |
| 23835 | Finish Carpentry Contractors 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 238350. |
| 238350 | Finish Carpentry Contractors 6-digit U.S. detail | This industry comprises establishments primarily engaged in finish carpentry work. The work performed may include new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. Illustrative Examples: Built-in wood cabinets constructed on site Molding or trim, wood or plastic, installation Countertop (except ceramic tile or stone), residential-type, installation Paneling installation Door and window frame construction Garage door, residential-type, installation Prefabricated kitchen and bath cabinet, residential-type, installation Ship joinery contractors Millwork installation Window and door, residential-type, of any material, prefabricated, installation |
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Classification References
- 01Installing ceramic tile or stone countertops--are classified in Industry 238340, Tile and Terrazzo Contractors;
- 02Installing nonresidential-type metal countertops and cabinets--are classified in Industry 238390, Other Building Finishing Contractors;
- 03Installing skylights--are classified in Industry 238160, Roofing Contractors;
- 04Framing--are classified in Industry 238130, Framing Contractors; and
- 05Manufacturing custom kitchen and bath cabinets (except freestanding) in a shop--are classified in Industry 337110, Wood Kitchen Cabinet and Countertop Manufacturing.
Index Items
Aluminum door and window, residential-type, installation
Built-in wood cabinets constructed on site
Cabinet work performed at the construction site
Cabinetry work performed at the construction site
Cabinets, wood built-in, constructed on site
Carpenters (except framing)
Carpentry work (except framing)
Countertop (except ceramic tile or stone), residential-type, installation
Deck construction, residential-type
Door and window frame construction
Door and window, prefabricated, installation
Door, folding, installation
Finish carpentry
Garage door, residential-type, installation
Hermetically sealed window unit, residential-type, installation
Kitchen cabinets and counters, constructed on site
Millwork installation
Molding or trim, wood or plastic, installation
Overhead door, residential-type, installation
Paneling installation
Prefabricated kitchen and bath cabinet, residential-type, installation
Prefabricated sash and door installation
Shelving, wood, constructed on site
Ship joinery contractors
Stairway, wood, installation
Trim and finish carpentry contractors
Window and door (residential-type) of any material, prefabricated, installation
Window installation
Window, metal frame residential-type, installation
Window, wood, installation
How Item Can Help
Finishes carpentry contractors use the Warehouse Management System to track custom inventory, manage job-site material pickups, and ensure precise ordering of lumber and hardware for complex projects.
Transportation Management Systems optimize last-mile delivery routes and coordinate freight carriers to transport bulky building materials from distributors to remote construction sites efficiently.
Data Intelligence tools analyze material usage patterns and project history to forecast demand accurately, reduce waste, and prevent stockouts during critical finishing phases.
Item.com Tools
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 238350.
National Association of Home Builders
Official NHB resources and tools specific to finishing carpentry trades
U.S. Department of Labor - Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government data on job outlook, duties, and skills for carpenters including finish carpentry
HomeAdvisor
Industry directory connecting consumers with licensed finish carpenters for renovation projects
