Get matched with top contractors in Cambridge, NY

Q: Are ceiling joists load-bearing?

• <div><p>Yes, ceiling joists are typically load-bearing. However, their primary function is to support the weight of the ceiling and loads applied to it, like lighting fixtures and ceiling fans. They can also help support the roof, especially if they&rsquo;re part of truss systems. Remember, the load-bearing capacity of ceiling joists depends on the material, size, and space between them. </p></div>

Q: How long does it take to install a window seat?

• <div><p>For a professional carpenter, installing a window seat can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on some aspects of the project. Aside from building the seat itself, if they have to remove any cabinets, shelves, or baseboards, that will add time to the project.</p></div>

Q: Do joists sit on beams?

• <div><p>Joists do distribute their load to beams, but they don&rsquo;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&rsquo;ll never see a joist sitting on top of a beam or another joist.</p></div>

Q: How long does it take to install a porch column?

• <div><p>Installing an ornamental or <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/front-porch-decorating-ideas.htm">decorative porch</a> column takes around three to five hours. Structural columns take longer because your pro has to install a jack to hold up the roof while switching the column out. If there's any structural damage, it can add several days to the timeline to repair the damage. </p></div>

Q: Should a door frame be nailed or screwed?

• <div><p>When hanging a door frame, it&rsquo;s recommended that you use screws, not nails. Screws are more secure, easier to tighten, and easier to remove if you need to adjust the frame. On average, the <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/install-interior-door">cost to replace a door frame</a> is about <b>$400</b>, but you can save on labor costs if you&rsquo;re confident in your ability to DIY the project. </p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Contractor Service pros in Cambridge, NY

*The Angi rating for Contractor Service companies in Cambridge, NY is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Contractor Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Contractor Service companies in Cambridge, NY is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Contractor Service needs.

Last update on March 12, 2026

Reviewed in March 2026
This is just finishing after painting the interior of our home, every room, ceiling, walls, baseboard, cupboards,island and doors. The attention to detail was unbelievable and not one drop of paint anywhere. They were meticulous, Brad was a pleasure to deal with. Any carpentry, roofing or...
Ganka Painting
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Reviewed in July 2025
J&A carpentry showed up early ready to work! Jeff did the layout with precise measurements, dug holes and placed poles and panels seamlessly. He had all the equipment needed and more, ready for any hiccups to occur and tackle them. The job was finished within 6 hours when id expected it to...
J &A CARPENTRY
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Reviewed in December 2024
I gave Hubble carpentry a 5 star review for installation on of a laminate floor, for the following reasons, 1 very cordial and wonderful personality, 2 punctual, 3 excellent work ethic, and 4 left my house cleaner, and when he arrived.
Hubbell's Carpentry & More
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Reviewed in October 2024
We had a carport installed. It was done quickly and efficienetly.
Wattie Stone
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Reviewed in October 2024
I recently hired Bryan Harrington, owner of Natures Edge Renovations,, to rebuild my porch deck, and to add a roof line to the deck, I couldnâ t be happier with the results. From start to finish, he was professional reliable, and paid attention to every detail and aspect of the rebuild....
Natures Edge Renovations
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Reviewed in January 2024
Pro Home Repairs made the process go smoothly and I am more than happy with the finally product! Thanks again for the outstanding work! Canâ t wait to tell everybody I know!
Pro Home Repairs LLC
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Reviewed in January 2024
I hired Forever Excavating to rough in my driveway and house site. Iâ m not from the area and didnâ t have a lot of time to go over the project on the house site. They were able to meet me short notice and got my general understanding of what I wanted done. Once the work began I wasnâ t able...
Forever Excavating
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Reviewed in September 2023
We are working on a plan to replace windows and repaint as we go.Cliff from Freshcoat was very helpful and when windows were replaced in Master Bedroom on Tuesday his crew came in 2 days later and bedroom was finished by Friday.We plan to continue with Cliff and Freshcoat for entire house as...
Fresh Coat Painters
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Reviewed in July 2022
It was much more than a power washing project. They stained the back deck after power washing, too. They were amenable to my additional requests including taming a backyard overgrown with weeds, ivy and very tall grass. There was a lot I asked if they would do. They were reliable and got on...
Extra Hands, LLC
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Reviewed in June 2022
We had our kitchen cabinets resurfaced, and added some cabinets as well. Also new countertops, wall tiles and lighting. So it was a big job which was done very well. Jeff responded to any questions/concerns I had very quickly, and his staff were very nice and hardworking. Will hire again in...
Cabinet Restylers, Inc.
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Find Contractors in Cambridge

A&K CONSTRUCTION

4.9(

)

Serving Cambridge, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Anni did a fabulous job replacing the kitchen floor tiles after a water leak. They arrived at the appointed time, worked non stop and cleaned up the area. We highly recommend him. Their estimate was very fair. They with replacing the large plank porcelain times making sure that everything was done perfectly"

+87

Response time2 days

10 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by70%of homeowners

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Bowen Ridge Construction

5.0(

)

Serving Cambridge, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Bowen Ridge Construction has done several projects for us they do very good work and are very knowledgeable about all aspects of construction Ron Colton"

+106

Response time1 day

3 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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The Solutions Construction

4.4(

)

Serving Cambridge, NY and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2018

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"We hired solutions Construction for several different tasks. Hardwood flooring insulation, installed a new roof on our home, built several pole, barns a gazebo and outdoor kitchen, transformed a shed into a guest house with outdoor shower and indoor plumbing, designed, and Bill to our outdoor living space, re-faced our chimney and redid our indoor fireplace area, built a movie theater in our basement. Everything that this company did was five star plus top notch and we hire him over and over again for all our construction needs.. solution Construction for the win."

+14

Response time1 day

5 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by71%of homeowners

Serving Cambridge, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 1990

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Overall, they did a good job. The workmanship is excellent. If there was an issue, they took care of it. The costs stayed the same throughout the project."

+59

Recommended by94%of homeowners

Serving Cambridge, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 1979

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"We could not ask for a better experience with a painter -- Mr. Alden was prompt, efficient and clean. He is a consummate professional and a true gentleman. We had him working on our house while we were away and he sent photos of his progress with regular updates. We heartily recommend Alden Painting for all your painting needs. M&C Wade, Stephentown, NY"

+48

Recommended by97%of homeowners

Serving Cambridge, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 2019

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Always on time, hard worker, listens and finishes work as asked."

Hardwood Flooring Sales/Installation/Refinishing Project

+117

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Cambridge, NY and surrounding areas

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Extremely professional and amazing work completed in a timely manner ! Highly recommend."

+122

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Cambridge, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 2021

Free estimates

"Very professional, trustworthy and reasonably priced.I recently purchased a older house and it needed electrical upgrading.We were lucky to find Steve he did a great job and plan on using him again."

Finished jewelry stands for Saged in Fire

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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GOKEYs Painting & Const

5.0(

)

Serving Cambridge, NY and surrounding areas

In business since 1998

Free estimates

"Chris was very motivated and started the job promptly. His work ethic was great, staying late a couple of days late to complete job on time as agreed. He reviewed any issue found and was flexible when extra work was needed. The quality of the work was great in making the breezeway siding look the same as the garage, so with the paint job the house/garage improvement was dramatic. His pricing was reasonably and his clean-up appreciated. We would definitely recommend Chris to others and would engage him for work ourselves."

second story done with painting and before pictures of first level of house

finished roof and painting exterior of house

+53

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Cambridge, NY and surrounding areas

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"Quick, professional, and on time. Got the job fine sooner than expected. Great quality. Would hire again and recommend."

+97

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Showing 1-10 of 72

Unfinished Carpentry questions, answered by experts

Yes, ceiling joists are typically load-bearing. However, their primary function is to support the weight of the ceiling and loads applied to it, like lighting fixtures and ceiling fans. They can also help support the roof, especially if they’re part of truss systems. Remember, the load-bearing capacity of ceiling joists depends on the material, size, and space between them.

For a professional carpenter, installing a window seat can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on some aspects of the project. Aside from building the seat itself, if they have to remove any cabinets, shelves, or baseboards, that will add time to the project.

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.

Installing an ornamental or decorative porch column takes around three to five hours. Structural columns take longer because your pro has to install a jack to hold up the roof while switching the column out. If there's any structural damage, it can add several days to the timeline to repair the damage.

When hanging a door frame, it’s recommended that you use screws, not nails. Screws are more secure, easier to tighten, and easier to remove if you need to adjust the frame. On average, the cost to replace a door frame is about $400, but you can save on labor costs if you’re confident in your ability to DIY the project.

The Cambridge, NY homeowners’ guide to contractor services

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

See all articles

Angi
•
May 30, 2026May 30, 2026
How Much Does Carpentry Framing Repair Cost? [2026 Data]
Get the latest carpentry framing repair cost estimates. Learn what impacts your price and how to budget for your framing repair project.
Angi
•
Mar 18, 2026Mar 18, 2026
How Much Do Carpenters Charge Per Hour? [2026 Data]
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•
May 30, 2026May 30, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Install Shiplap? [2026 Data]
The cost to install shiplap siding or wall surfaces in your home depends on several factors, including the material type and the size of your project.
Jenna Jonaitis
•
May 22, 2026May 22, 2026
A Complete Guide to Common Carpentry and Construction Terms You Should Know
When you’re tackling a project or hiring a contractor, it’s helpful to know key carpentry terms. From end grain to dovetail joints, here’s a complete list.
Matt Marandola
•
May 22, 2026May 22, 2026
How to Hire a Qualified Pro for House Framing
House framing is one of the first parts of building a home. To do this, you’ll want to hire a rough or unfinished carpenter. Using this guide, you’ll know what questions to ask and where to look for your house framing contractor.
Mariel Loveland
•
May 22, 2026May 22, 2026
The A-to-Z Guide to Unfinished Cabinets
Buying unfinished cabinets can help you create the custom remodel of your dreams, but is it worth the fuss? This guide will tell you everything you need to know.