Doors, floors and fittings
Hanging internal doors, fire doors, skirting, architrave, laminate and wood floors.
Carpenters & Joiners in Reading
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Fitted storage
Alcove cupboards, fitted wardrobes, shelving and understairs storage.
Joinery and repairs
Sash window overhauls, staircases and balustrades, and repairs to original features.
Reading’s period homes keep carpenters and joiners busy. About a quarter of homes in the borough were built before 1919, and many still have original timber sash windows, panelled doors, staircases and deep skirting boards. Much of the best joinery work here is repair: keeping those features working rather than ripping them out.
Sash windows are the classic example. The council’s Redlands conservation area appraisal describes timber sashes with nine and twelve panes, and similar windows survive across the town’s Victorian and Edwardian streets. A joiner can usually overhaul a tired sash by replacing the cords, easing the sashes, cutting out rot and splicing in new timber, and adding draught-proofing brushes. That’s often much cheaper than replacement. In Reading’s 15 conservation areas, replacement windows that don’t match the existing materials may need planning permission, so repair can also save a planning application.
Inside, the chimney breasts in many terraces leave alcoves either side, which suit fitted cupboards and shelving. Ask whether the carpenter will scribe the units to the uneven walls, and whether the price includes painting. Victorian homes often have suspended timber floors. Creaking boards, gaps and damaged joists are common repairs, and they’re worth fixing before new flooring goes down. Replacing lost skirting or architrave with a matching profile is a job for a joiner with the right cutters, so send a photo when you post your job.
Reading also has a lot of shared rented housing. The council has run borough-wide additional HMO licensing since March 2026, and shared houses often need fire doors and self-closers on bedrooms and kitchens. If you’re a landlord, check the council’s licensing requirements, then get a carpenter to quote for certified fire doors fitted correctly.
When comparing quotes, check the materials, such as MDF, softwood or oak, whether the finish is ready to paint or fully decorated, and how the carpenter deals with uneven walls and floors. Reviews on Trade Pilot come from real, invoiced jobs, so you can see finished work before you choose.
Typical prices
| Job | Typical UK range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter day rate | £220–£360 | Berkshire rates tend to be in the upper half |
| Hang an internal door | £80–£200 per door | Labour only; fire doors or new frames cost more |
| Fitted alcove cupboards | £800–£2,500 | Depends on size, materials and whether they’re painted |
| Replace skirting boards, one room | £225–£450 | More for hardwood or matching period profiles |
| Sash window overhaul | £250–£950 per window | A full refurbishment with rot repairs is at the top end |
| New staircase balustrade | £700–£1,800 | Oak or glass cost more than softwood |
Typical UK ranges; your quotes depend on the job and access.
How it works
- 1
Tell us about the job
Check your Reading postcode and describe what you need. Photos help.
- 2
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Up to 3 vetted local trades who cover your part of Reading can quote.
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How Trade Pilot helps you hire in Reading
Vetted local trades
We check every carpenter before they can quote. Ask to see photos of similar work they’ve completed.
Reviews from real jobs
Reviews on Trade Pilot are tied to invoiced jobs, so you’re reading about work that was actually done and paid for.
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Posting a job and getting up to 3 quotes is free for homeowners. You choose who to invite round, or no one at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Post your job on Trade Pilot with your postcode, measurements and photos, and up to 3 vetted carpenters covering Reading can quote. Read reviews from real, invoiced jobs before you choose.
Day rates are typically £220 to £360. Many small jobs, such as hanging a door, are priced per item.
Usually yes. A joiner can replace cords, repair rot and add draught-proofing, which often costs less than new windows. It can also avoid a planning application in a conservation area.
Shared houses and HMOs often need fire doors on bedrooms and kitchens. Check Reading Borough Council’s licensing requirements for your property, and use a carpenter who fits certified fire doors correctly.
Typically £800 to £2,500, depending on the size, the materials and whether painting is included.
Joiners usually make items like windows, doors and stairs, often in a workshop. Carpenters usually fit and build on site. Many do both.
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