The Real Cost of Woodworking: What You’re Really Paying For

Who Am I to Talk About This, Anyway?

Before we get into the nuts and bolts about the cost of woodworking, a quick intro: I’m Hayden Hengel, and I’m what you'd call a “professional carpenter.” I use air quotes because “professional” means different things to different people. For me, it means I’ve built a career out of wood, tools, and a lifelong obsession with making things.

Like many builders, it started early: Hot Wheels tracks, LEGO sets, Lincoln Logs. Then grade school shop classes put some big boy tools in my hands and taught me to turn wood (and some other random materials) into stuff. But as someone with ADHD, that passion had to fight for attention alongside about 100 other things I wanted to do.

I worked office jobs, dealerships, retail, and restaurants, but always found myself sketching designs and building whenever I could. I lived by the motto: “Why buy it when I can build it?” (A philosophy that probably deserves its own post.)

One day I realized this didn’t have to be a hobby. So I started in remodel construction sweeping basements, then worked my way up: trim carpenter, lead, project manager. Along the way, I picked up not just skills, but a real understanding of what it takes—physically, mentally, and financially—to build something right.

The Cost of Woodworking Materials

Lumber Prices: 2010 vs 2025

Lumber isn’t cheap, and it definitely isn’t getting cheaper. Back in 2010, you could pick up a decent board foot of hardwood for a few bucks. In 2025? Prices are hovering around $619 per thousand board feet, up 34% in the past month. Even framing lumber is still 13% higher than it was just a year ago.

The "Invisible" Materials

Most clients don’t think about the extras: sandpaper, glue, finish, screws, brushes, rags, masking tape, even the replacement saw blades. These supplies aren’t glamorous, but they add up fast.

Tool Costs & Overhead

Every job takes tools. Good ones. A solid table saw runs $1,000+, routers and sanders add more, and eventually you’re knee-deep in sharpening jigs, bits, clamps, and dust collection. Then there's electricity, workspace rent, insurance, maintenance, and of course, shop donuts. (Non-negotiable.)

The Cost of Manual Labor

How Long It Actually Takes

A cutting board might look simple, but even that can take 2–4 hours if you're sanding, routing, finishing, and branding it properly. A dining table? Easily 20–50+ hours, depending on size and complexity. Custom work takes time, especially when perfection is the goal.

The Hidden Time Sinks

Boards warp. Knots crack. Glue-ups fail. Sometimes the best-looking piece of wood reveals a flaw only after it's been milled, or even worse, once it’s gotten a finish on. Add in the time to rework, re-mill, and occasionally restart, and you're looking at a lot of invisible labor clients never see, but definitely feel in the final cost.

The Vanishing Tradesperson

Another key factor in labor cost? There just aren’t enough of us. The U.S. has been facing a major skilled labor shortage for years, and carpentry is right in the thick of it. According to the Associated General Contractors of America, over 85% of contractors report difficulty finding qualified carpenters and that gap is only growing as older tradespeople retire and fewer young people enter the trades. So when you hire a good woodworker today, you’re not just paying for time, you’re paying for rarity.

The Cost of Everything Else

Travel

Getting to the lumber yard, making delivery runs, visiting clients, setting up for markets—none of this happens by magic. It takes time, fuel, and wear on the vehicle (and the builder). I personally don’t charge for design consultations, because it shouldn’t be on my client’s dollar if we find out our styles just don’t line up. Time is money afterall. 

Marketing & Branding

A professional appearance takes effort: logos, websites, social media posts, photography, business cards, and sometimes paid ads or market fees. Even writing this blog post took time. (Thanks for reading, by the way!)

So What Are You Really Paying For?

When you commission a woodworking piece, you’re not just buying some wood glued together. You're supporting the time, tools, labor, experience, creativity, and countless behind-the-scenes hours it takes to bring that piece to life.

The next time someone asks "Why does that cost so much?" feel free to forward them this post on our website. Or better yet, let them try to build it themselves.