Finish Carpenter / Lead Carpenter

Position Summary

The Finish Carpenter / Lead Carpenter is responsible for executing detailed carpentry work on residential construction projects, including trim, millwork, doors, hardware, cabinetry support, built-ins, paneling, stair details, custom installations, and other high-end finish elements. This person serves as a hands-on field leader, helping coordinate daily site activity, maintain jobsite organization, communicate field needs, and ensure work is completed accurately according to plans, specifications, and Williams Contracting quality standards.

Primary Responsibilities

• Finish Carpentry & Craftsmanship
• Perform high-quality finish carpentry, including trim, casing, baseboards, crown, doors, hardware, paneling, built-ins, cabinetry coordination, stair details, and custom woodwork.
• Execute detailed architectural elements with accuracy, consistency, and care.
• Read and interpret architectural drawings, finish schedules, elevations, details, and specifications.
• Ensure finish work is plumb, level, square, clean, aligned, and completed to company standards.
• Identify issues with plans, dimensions, materials, or field conditions before they impact quality or schedule.
• Assist with framing, blocking, backing, and structural carpentry as needed to support finish details.
• Jobsite Execution
• Lead by example through quality workmanship, productivity, and professionalism.
• Help organize daily work activity for carpenters, laborers, and subcontractors.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organized jobsite.
• Confirm that work areas are ready for upcoming finish tasks and trades.
• Protect completed work and ensure proper care is taken around finished materials.
• Support punch list completion and reduce rework through careful execution.
• Subcontractor & Trade Coordination
• Cover all subcontractor work sequencing and ensure site readiness.
• Communicate expectations for quality, access, layout, and scope.
• Verify that subcontractor work aligns with drawings, details, and finish standards.
• Communicate field concerns, conflicts, or needed clarifications to the Superintendent and Project Management team.
• Schedule & Material Support
• Aid the Superintendent in maintaining project progress and sequencing.
• Track daily progress and report delays or issues that could affect the schedule.
• Confirm that finish materials, hardware, trim, cabinetry components, and specialty products are onsite before scheduled installation.
• Notify leadership of missing, damaged, or incorrect materials.
• Coordinate with the Product & Costing Manager and Superintendent on product deliveries, substitutions, and field needs.
• Field Problem Solving
• Identify field conditions that differ from plans or affect finish quality.
• Propose practical solutions that maintain design intent, schedule, and craftsmanship.
• Coordinate with the Superintendent and design team when clarification is needed.
• Anticipate challenges before they become delays or punch list items.

Required Skills & Experience

• Finish Carpentry Expertise
• Strong experience in residential construction, remodeling, or custom home building.
• Advanced skill in finish carpentry, trim, doors, hardware, cabinetry support, built-ins, and custom details.
• Ability to produce clean, precise, high-quality work with minimal supervision.
• Strong understanding of layout, reveals, transitions, alignment, and finish sequencing.
• Ability to work from architectural drawings, finish schedules, elevations, and shop drawings.
• Construction Knowledge
• Solid understanding of residential construction methods and building systems.
• Ability to perform framing, backing, blocking, and general carpentry when needed.
• Familiarity with construction sequencing and how finish work interacts with other trades.
• Ability to identify quality issues and resolve them proactively.
• Field Leadership
• Ability to coordinate daily work activity while remaining productive as a carpenter.
• Strong organization, planning, and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain a clean, safe, and professional jobsite.
• Comfortable communicating with subcontractors, suppliers, office staff, and leadership.
• Communication
• Clear, professional communication with the Superintendent, Project Management team, design team, and office staff.
• Ability to document site conditions, material needs, and field concerns.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with clients, trades, and team members.

Key Performance Indicators

• Craftsmanship & Quality
• High-quality finish carpentry and custom detail execution.
• Reduced punch list items and rework.
• Accurate installation according to plans, specifications, and company standards.
• Schedule Support
• Finish work completed efficiently and in proper sequence.
• Work areas prepared for upcoming trades and installations.
• Early communication of issues that may affect progress.
• Jobsite Organization
• Clean, safe, and organized work areas.
• Proper protection of completed work and finish materials.
• Effective coordination with subcontractors and field team members.
• Team Effectiveness
• Positive feedback from the Superintendent, Project Management team, and clients.
• Clear communication of field updates, material needs, and site concerns.
• Reliably daily leadership and problem-solving in the field.

Tools & Systems

• Architectural drawings, finish schedules, specifications, and shop drawings
• Jobsite documentation and photo records
• Scheduling coordination with the Superintendent
• Communication with internal teams, subcontractors, and suppliers
• Standard carpentry and finish carpentry tools

Working Relationships

• Receives Direction From
• Principal / Leadership
• Company standards for craftsmanship, quality, and client experience.
• Construction Superintendent
• Project schedule, field priorities, sequencing, scope clarification, and overall project direction.
• Project Management / Office Team
• Project updates, material coordination, documentation, and administrative support.
• Design Team
• Plan updates, finish details, design intent, and clarification of architectural elements.
• Product & Costing Manager
• Product orders, delivery schedules, material confirmations, and substitutions.
• Provides Support To
• Superintendent
• Daily field execution, progress updates, jobsite coordination, and issue identification.
• Project Management / Office Team
• Material needs, task completion updates, site readiness information, and field documentation.
• Subcontractors
• Site access, sequencing, scope clarification, and coordination of work areas.
• Clients
• Professional jobsite presence, high-quality craftsmanship, and attention to detail.