And why getting it wrong could cost you big time
So you’re staring at your wall thinking “this needs to be fixed” but you have absolutely no idea who to call. Should you get a drywall guy? A carpenter? Your neighbor Bob who claims he’s “pretty handy”?
I get it. The construction world is confusing as heck, and everyone seems to have an opinion about who does what. Let me break this down for you in a way that actually makes sense.
The Big Difference (It’s Not What You Think)
Here’s the thing most people don’t realize: carpenters and drywall contractors do completely different things, even though they both work on your walls.
Think of it like this — a carpenter is like a surgeon who builds the bones of your house. A drywall contractor is like a makeup artist who makes everything look pretty and smooth.
What Carpenters Actually Do
Carpenters work with wood. Period. When I say wood, I mean:
- Building the frame that holds your walls up
- Installing doors and windows
- Putting up trim and baseboards
- Building custom cabinets or shelves
- Fixing structural problems
If it’s made of wood and needs to be built or fixed, that’s carpenter territory. They’re the ones with the fancy saws and the ability to make things fit together perfectly.
What Drywall Contractors Do
Drywall people (also called “drywallers”) work with those big white sheets that become your actual walls. They:
- Hang the drywall sheets on the frame
- Tape all the seams so they disappear
- Apply multiple coats of “mud” (joint compound)
- Sand everything smooth
- Get your walls ready for paint
They’re basically wall magicians who make rough construction look like a finished room.
When Your Wall Has Problems: Who Do You Call?
This is where it gets tricky, and honestly, where most people mess up.
Call a Carpenter If:
The problem is structural
If your wall is sagging, there’s a big crack that keeps coming back, or something just doesn’t feel solid — that’s a carpenter job. They need to look at the wooden frame behind the drywall.
You need something built
Want built-in shelves? A new doorway? Custom trim around your windows? Carpenter all the way.
There’s wood damage
Water damaged your baseboards? Termites got into your window frame? Yeah, you need someone who knows wood.
Call a Drywall Contractor If:
You have holes in your walls
Whether it’s from moving furniture, kids playing ball indoors, or that time you got really mad at the door — drywall people fix holes.
Your walls look terrible
Cracks in the paint, bumpy surfaces, visible seams between drywall sheets — these are drywall problems.
You’re adding new walls
If the frame is already there and you just need the walls finished, that’s 100% a drywall job.
You have texture issues
Want to change that weird popcorn ceiling? Need to match the orange peel texture on your walls? Drywall contractor.
The Gray Areas (Where Things Get Confusing)
Some jobs involve both trades, and this is where homeowners get really confused.
Bathroom Renovations
If you’re gutting a bathroom, you’ll probably need both. The carpenter removes old stuff, fixes any structural issues, and installs new framing. Then the drywall contractor comes in to finish the walls.
Kitchen Remodels
Same deal. Carpenter handles the cabinets and any structural changes. Drywall person makes the walls look perfect.
Water Damage
This one’s tricky. If water damaged both the wood frame AND the drywall, you might need both trades. Start with the carpenter to assess structural damage, then bring in drywall to finish.
How to Tell If Someone’s Trying to Sell You Something You Don’t Need
Here’s some real talk: some contractors will try to do work outside their specialty because, well, money.
Red flags:
- A carpenter who insists they can do “perfect” drywall finishing (most can’t)
- A drywall contractor who wants to mess with structural framing (they shouldn’t)
- Anyone who says “I can do everything” (nobody can do everything well)
Good signs:
- They ask lots of questions about your specific problem
- They admit when something is outside their expertise
- They recommend other contractors for parts of the job
The Money Talk
Let’s be honest about costs because this matters.
Carpenters usually charge more per hour ($50-100+) because their work requires more skill and expensive tools. But their jobs are often smaller in scope.
Drywall contractors often charge per square foot ($2-4) for big jobs or hourly ($40-70) for repairs. Their materials are cheaper, but the labor can be time-consuming.
The real cost comes from hiring the wrong person. A carpenter trying to do drywall finishing will take forever and probably look terrible. A drywall contractor messing with structural stuff could literally make your house unsafe.
My Honest Advice
Before you call anyone, take five minutes to really look at your problem:
- Is there wood involved? (framing, trim, doors) → Carpenter
- Is it just the wall surface? (holes, cracks, texture) → Drywall
- Are you not sure? → Call both and get opinions
Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions. Good contractors want you to understand what they’re doing. Bad ones get annoyed when you ask.
And here’s a pro tip: if you need both trades, ask each contractor who they recommend for the other work. Contractors who work well together will give you better results and fewer headaches.
The Bottom Line
Look, I know this stuff is confusing. The construction world loves its jargon and everyone acts like you should just “know” this stuff.
But here’s the truth: hiring the right person for the right job will save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.
A carpenter trying to do drywall work is like asking your dentist to cut your hair. They might try, but you’re probably not going to love the results.
Take a few minutes to figure out what you actually need fixed. Look past the surface and think about whether the problem is structural (carpenter) or cosmetic (drywall). When in doubt, get multiple opinions.
Your walls — and your wallet — will thank you.
Have a wall problem you can’t figure out? Sometimes the best $100 you’ll spend is getting a professional consultation before you commit to any work. Trust me on this one.
