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TRUSTED BY DOWNERS GROVE, IL HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.6
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon725
    Verified carpentry services reviews

Find Carpenters in Downers Grove

Avatar for Mr. Handyman of Wheaton-Hinsdale
Mr. Handyman of Wheaton-Hinsdale
4.7(
372
)
Carpentry Framing - InstallCarpentry Framing - RepairDeck or Porch - Repair+6 more

Serving Downers Grove, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2010

Warranties offered

Credit card accepted

"Tom came into my home explained everything to me. Went to the store and picked up my doors and got to work. Tom was fantastic and his work went above my expectations. I will definitely be calling Mr Handyman again and asking for Tom do the work."
Siding repair
Light replacement commercial
Deck rotten wood replacement
Gate repair
Gutters cleaned

+1135

2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by92%of homeowners
Avatar for Perfect Work Remodeling & Repairs
Perfect Work Remodeling & Repairs
5.0(
28
)
Carpentry Framing - InstallCarpentry Framing - RepairDeck or Porch - Repair+5 more

Serving Downers Grove, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2012

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"I noticed what I thought initially was my above the counter cabinets coming loose from the wall. Mike from Perfect Work was in contact with me and looked at pictures of what I was concerned with. He identified that it was a cosmetic issue, and not the actual cabinets coming away from the wall. He also took the time to come by my place on his way to another job to see it in person. It turned out to be the trim in one area coming loose, and not the cabinets themselves. I know little about cabinetry, so to have someone take the time to allay my fears, was really appreciated. I know this business to be trustworthy and pleasant to work with now, and should the need for home projects come up in the future, I would not hesitate to use Angi, or directly call Perfect Work to do the job. Thank you again Mike!"
Deck Rot Goes Through Home
Deck Restored and completed with every detail done with best practice and exceeding building codes.
The white piece along the deck is a 2nd flashing.   With cedar siding, wicking can be a problem.
Deck Rot Goes Through Home
Deck Rot Goes Through Home

+52

Response time7 hrs
Response rate100%
Recommended by69%of homeowners
Avatar for Ten Home
Ten Home
5.0(
82
)
Carpentry Framing - InstallCarpentry Framing - RepairDeck or Porch - Repair+4 more

Serving Downers Grove, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2015

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"I have a metal framed awing over my patio with a canvas cover. It is like the kind that you would see at a bar or restaurant. Thomas and his crew have been helping me for years now, installing the cover in the spring and taking it down in the fall. They have been great to work with. Very timely and professional."
Fireplace renovation
Exterior door repaint
Kitchen/Living room update
Exterior powerwashing
Exterior painting - porch - trim - stairs

+536

Response time1 day
Recommended by97%of homeowners
Avatar for O'Rourke Deck Services, LLC
O'Rourke Deck Services, LLC
4.9(
82
)
Deck or Porch - Repair

Serving Downers Grove, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2014

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Excellent professional work and managed to use existing structures to cut costs. Carpentry work was master level and cleaned up very well and communication was first rate. In general lumber costs are high but the finished deck they did for my back deck is well worth the investment and will be enjoyed for years to come!"
Riverside TREX Transcend
Clarendon Hills TREX Transcend
Western Red Cedar
Response time12 hrs
55 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by77%of homeowners
Avatar for Seven Bridges Carpentry LLC
Seven Bridges Carpentry LLC
5.0(
7
)
Deck or Porch - Repair

Serving Downers Grove, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2024

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

"Great company to work with, they responded quickly and were able to complete the project right away. I was very pleased with the work that was done and will definitely consider them for future projects."
Batavia Deck
Response time2 days
Response rate96%
2 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Local Option Home Services
Local Option Home Services
5.0(
20
)
Window Frame - RepairWindow Frame - Repair - For Business

Serving Downers Grove, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Warranties offered

"Sean procured the repair materials and matching corner siding piece from a siding contractor. The damage caused by squirrel was repaired and the hole covered very carefully. The area now looking like new. The work was done with much expertise and care. We will use Sean again for all handyman services in our home."
New kitchen.
Exterior painting / entire house
Handyman Services Project
Brick patio
Handyman Services Project

+13

Response time5 days
3 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by85%of homeowners
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Showing 1-10 of 969
Carpentry questions, answered by experts

Yes, you can find ceiling joists using simple tools if a stud finder isn't available.

Using a hammer requires patience and a keen ear. Gently tap the ceiling in a grid pattern, listening for sound changes. A hollow sound indicates space between joists, while a solid, dull thud suggests a joist. Mark the location with a pencil and confirm by tapping from different angles.

Alternatively, you can use a nail, but this method will leave small holes. You'll feel increased resistance when the nail hits a joist. Mark the spot and repeat the process every 16 or 24 inches to map the joist locations. This method is considered less reliable than using a stud finder.

There are approximately 5.33 board feet in a 2x4. You can use the board foot calculator in this article to easily find the answer. A 2x4 is 2 inches of thickness by 4 inches of width, so you need to find the length, with 8 feet being the most common. You’d use the calculator here to multiply 2 times 4 times 8, and then divide by 12, arriving at a total of 5.33 board feet. 

You may need a permit to install your window seat. Even though it's an indoor modification, some municipalities require permits for any built-ins added to homes. Check with your carpenter or, if you're DIY-ing, do some research on your city's requirements.

The easiest way to tell if a wall is load bearing is to check if it’s an exterior wall or if it runs perpendicular to the joists above and below it (or parallel to beams). Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing, and walls that run under beams or parallel to them are also usually load-bearing. There are exceptions to these rules, and walls that don’t fit into these categories can still be load-bearing. If you’re unsure, hire a structural engineer to look at your home to assess whether or not the wall is structural.

Joists do distribute their load to beams, but they don’t sit on top of the beams. Instead, home builders nail or screw the joists directly to the beams such that the end of the joist butts up against the edge of the beam. Beams can sit on other beams for support, but you’ll never see a joist sitting on top of a beam or another joist.

The Downers Grove, IL homeowners’ guide to carpentry services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.