A Carpenter's Evaluation of Carpentry
Carpentry is Paul's trade. He has framed walls, set doors, installed millwork and finished interiors since he joined Carpenters Local 10 in 1989, and he led carpentry, framing, millwork and finish work as a lead carpenter and foreman before moving into supervision. When he evaluates carpentry he is looking at work he has performed and inspected thousands of times.
His opinions address how carpentry work was laid out, fastened and finished. He does not evaluate the structural design of framing members or connections, which is engineering work. Where a framing question involves load path or structural adequacy, he will tell counsel that a structural engineer is needed.
Framing Installation
Framing problems often show up later in the finishes. Paul examines framing, where it is visible or exposed, and the finished surfaces that reflect it:
- Wall layout, plumb and straightness, and stud spacing compared with the plans
- Blocking and backing for cabinets, handrails, fixtures and accessories
- Rough openings for doors and windows, including headers as drawn and shimming
- Fastening patterns as called for by the plans, code or manufacturer
- Floor framing conditions that affect finished flooring, such as unevenness and squeaks
These observations are tied to the drawings and the standards that applied when the work was performed.
Finish Carpentry and Joinery
Finish carpentry is judged closely because it is visible. Paul evaluates trim and casing joints, miters and copes, reveals, scribing to uneven surfaces, nail setting and filling, stair parts, built-ins and cabinet installation. He considers the material used, because wood moves with humidity and some seasonal opening of joints is normal. The question is whether the joints were cut and fastened properly and whether the remaining gaps fall within a reasonable range for the material and the conditions.
Doors, Hardware and Millwork
Doors that bind, fail to latch or show uneven reveals are common complaints. The cause may lie in the frame, the hanging, the hardware, the floor or later movement. Paul examines each component in turn. On commercial projects he also reviews door hardware schedules and millwork shop drawings to confirm what was approved. More on this topic is on the flooring and fixture installation page.
Who Retains Paul for Carpentry Questions
Carpentry questions come from every side of a dispute: owners with finish complaints, general contractors defending or pursuing backcharges, carpentry subcontractors whose work is challenged, and insurers evaluating a claim. Paul's union training and decades of supervision allow him to speak credibly to all of them about how the work should have been done.