Vetted carpenters in Cape Town. Book now.

Around R450 – R750 for the call-out/first hour, then R350 – R650 per hour for labour — with intricate joinery at the top of the range and simple repairs at the bottom. Materials range from a length of pine to serious board budgets for built-ins, so the split matters more than the headline rate.

Winter humidity plus rain finds every gap in old sealant, and the timber drinks and swells — the classic Cape shoulder-charge front door. Carpenters here ease the true tight spots conservatively and reseal every edge, because over-planing a winter-swollen door leaves it rattling all summer.

Either works — most pros happily supply materials at cost plus a modest sourcing markup, which usually beats retail plus your bakkie trip. For built-ins, the pro should spec and source the board and hardware. Agree the arrangement upfront and get labour and materials as separate lines on the quote.

Easing a sticking door runs about an hour; hinge and cupboard repairs are typically a half-day for a room's worth; hanging a new door takes two to three hours; and built-in projects run from a day for simple shelving to a week for full wardrobes. Wood glue and finishes add curing time — a repair may be done today but only usable tomorrow.