Framer, carpenter, general laborer or something else? Choosing the right help

Key points

• Pick the trade for the main task. Post separate jobs if you need different skills.
• General labor is for support work, not skilled trade work.
• A clear task list matters more than the job title.

Start from the result

Write one line on what should be true by the end of the day. "The walls on the east side are up and braced." "The living room is ready for paint." "The gate is repaired." The result tells you the trade.

A quick guide

• Framing: structural wood: walls, floors, roofs, decks.
• Carpentry: fitting and finishing wood: doors, trim, stairs, repairs.
• Drywall: hanging board and finishing joints.
• Painting: prep and coating, inside and out.
• Welding: joining and repairing metal.
• Landscaping: yards, planting, clearing and hauling.
• General labor: carrying, digging, site support.
• Moving: loading, lifting and unloading.
• Cleanup: job-site and final cleaning.

Questions that settle borderline cases

1. Is it structural, or does it show? Structural work is framing; work people see and touch is usually carpentry or finishing.
2. Does it need a trade skill, or does it need strength and willingness? The second is general labor.
3. Does it need a special tool or certificate? Say so in the post.
4. Is the work inside an older building? Mention it, and see the safety notes on the trade pages.

When you need more than one trade

Post a separate job for each, with its own hours and pay. Separate jobs reach the right people and make it easy to confirm the right number of each.

Common questions

Related guides

• What to put in a job post
• How to hire a framer for a day
• How short-term construction labor works in Washington: a general overview
• All guides