---
title: "Key Differences Between Carpenters and Great Lead Carpenters: Part 1"
description: But just because a carpenter has trade skills doesn’t necessarily also mean he or she has the rest of what it takes to be a successful Lead Carpenter. Differences between carpenters and lead carpenters
image: https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15745259-jpg/images/different-wr.jpg
---

[![the design builders blog](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-1968953853-jpg/images/ShawnMccadden-DBblog-header.jpg "the design builders blog")](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/)

[![Subscribe to the Design/Builders Blog](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/62868785-47fb-4751-8ade-e9392edbbdd1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/62868785-47fb-4751-8ade-e9392edbbdd1)

# The Design Builder's Blog

## [Key Differences Between Carpenters and Great Lead Carpenters: Part 1](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/key-differences-between-carpenters-and-great-lead-carpenters-part-1)

Posted by [Shawn McCadden](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/author/shawn-mccadden) on Tue, Jul 07,2015 @ 06:00 AM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

## **Key Differences Between Carpenters and Great Lead Carpenters: Part 1**

**![Creating lead carpenters](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15745259-jpg/images/different-wr.jpg?width=102&name=different-wr.jpg "Creating lead carpenters")Skilled Carpenters are assumed to have the trade skills needed to do the work at hand and to understand construction. ** But just because a carpenter has these skills doesn’t necessarily also mean he or she has the rest of **what it takes to be a successful Lead Carpenter. ** Below is the first half of a list of key skills a carpenter should have or will need to acquire to become a great Lead Carpenter. I created this list to help carpenters and construction business owners improve their chances of **success developing Lead Carpenters and a true Lead Carpenter System.   **

 

![Skills to be a lead carpenter](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Inherent-wr.jpg?width=382&name=Inherent-wr.jpg "Skills to be a lead carpenter")

 

**This first list describes the basic skills and thinking skills a carpenter must possess** to be eligible to become a Lead Carpenter. These are skills that should be inherent to the carpenter already, **learned from an early age through schooling and practical application** as a person evolves from childhood to adulthood.   If a carpenter does not already possess these skills **the chances of success as a Lead Carpenter will be greatly compromised**.

**In my next article I will discuss the people skills and personal qualities a great Lead Carpenter must learn and develop.**

 

### **Basic skills needed to be a Lead Carpenter: **

- **![Math skills for a lead carpenter](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/hubfs/math_on_blackboard-wr.jpg?width=242&name=math_on_blackboard-wr.jpg "Math skills for a lead carpenter")Speaking:** Ability to speak clearly including selecting language, tone of voice, and gestures appropriate to a specific audience.
- **Listening:** Listens carefully to what people say, noting tone of voice and their body language, then can respond in a way that shows a true understanding of what is said.
- **Reading:** Ability to identify relevant facts and locate information in books or manuals. Ability to find the meanings of unknown words and use computers to find information.
- **Writing:** Ability to write ideas completely and accurately with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Also able to use computers to communicate information in writing.
- **Mathematics:** Ability to use numbers, fractions, and percentages to solve problems and communicate solutions.

 

### **Thinking skills needed to be a Lead Carpenter**

- **![Carpenter_framing-wr](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Carpenter_framing-wr.jpg?width=244&name=Carpenter_framing-wr.jpg)Creative Thinking:** Has the ability and is not afraid to use imagination freely to combine ideas or information in new ways. Can easily make connections between ideas that seem unrelated to others.
- **Problem-Solving:** Can easily recognize a problem, identify why it is a problem, create and implement a solution, and naturally watches to see how well attempted solutions work so they can be revise as needed.
- **Decision Making:** Can identify goals, suggest alternatives and gather information about them. Can identify and weigh pros/cons and choose the best alternative along with a plan to follow through.
- **Visualization:** The ability to imagine, strategize and sequence the construction of a building, object or system by looking at a blueprint or drawing.

 

### [**Don't miss Part-2 of the list**](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/key-differences-between-carpenters-and-great-lead-carpenters-part-2)

**[![Subscribe to the Design/Builders Blog](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/62868785-47fb-4751-8ade-e9392edbbdd1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/62868785-47fb-4751-8ade-e9392edbbdd1) Be sure to come back here to find the second half of this checklist **to learn about people skills and personal qualities a great Lead Carpenter must learn and develop. It will be published in a few days.   To be automatically notified via email when new blogs are published simply **[subscribe to the Design/Builders Blog.](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/Subscribe-to-The-Design-Builders-Blog?)**

 

#### **[Click here to see a Job Description for a Lead carpenter](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/job-description-lead-carpenter)**

### **Other articles to help contractors and construction business owners choose and grow the right carpenters into Lead Carpenters**

**[Evolve From Being A Contractor To Being A Construction Business Owner](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/bid/102748/Help-With-Evolving-From-Contractor-To-Construction-Business-Owner)**

**[Afraid To Hire Production Employees For Fear I Would Run Out Of Work For Them](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/bid/76547/Afraid-To-Hire-Employees-For-Fear-Of-Running-Out-Of-Work-For-Them)**

**[A lead-carpenter system helps both the business and the employees to grow](http://www.deckmagazine.com/management/managing-production.aspx)**

**[Compliance Checklist: Will You Be Ready If OSHA Visits Your Job Site?](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/bid/78520/OSHA-Compliance-Checklist-Will-You-Be-Ready-If-OSHA-Visits-You)**

 

 Topics: [Worker Training](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/worker-training), [Careers in Construction](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/careers-in-construction), [Recruting](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/recruting), [Employee Advancement](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/employee-advancement), [Production Considerations](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/production-considerations), [Lead Carpenter System](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/lead-carpenter-system), [Mentoring/Coaching](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/mentoringcoaching)

### Subscribe by Email

[![please donate](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/d6888f7b-f488-4356-88b4-14128c5aab4b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/d6888f7b-f488-4356-88b4-14128c5aab4b)

[![cogs worksheet tool free download](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/7baf34b1-cad0-4bdf-84eb-b21dd6da4973.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/7baf34b1-cad0-4bdf-84eb-b21dd6da4973)

[![MA CSL Classes](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/663d3a42-f898-41b6-850d-dd6c96899668.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/663d3a42-f898-41b6-850d-dd6c96899668)

### Are You Documenting Your Crew's  Compliance With The RRP Rule? 

[![download free RRP checklist](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/dd6aace9-6cb0-4ad2-a55a-09846d7f5b5e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/dd6aace9-6cb0-4ad2-a55a-09846d7f5b5e)  

### Frustrated With Your Current Method Of Estimating Projects? 

 [![free excel estimating template](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/14387bf1-ade4-4b88-9c17-1b56a85bab52.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/14387bf1-ade4-4b88-9c17-1b56a85bab52)

## Not Sure Of Your True Labor Costs?

 [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/390dc019-2e22-41cc-8b47-eeb259f25bf3.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/390dc019-2e22-41cc-8b47-eeb259f25bf3)

### Find what you are looking for - Search by topic

- [203K Loan Info (2)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/203k-loan-info)
- [Advantages of Design/Build (4)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/advantages-of-designbuild)
- [Aging In Place (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/aging-in-place)
- [Allowances (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/allowances)
- [Books for Contractors (2)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/books-for-contractors)
- [Breaking $1Million (13)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/breaking-1million)
- [Building Relationships (13)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/building-relationships)
- [Business Considerations (15)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/business-considerations)
- [Business Financials (30)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/business-financials)
- [Business Growth (43)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/business-growth)
- [Business Management (17)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/business-management)
- [Business Planning (42)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/business-planning)
- [Careers in Construction (13)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/careers-in-construction)
- [Cash Flow (10)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/cash-flow)
- [Contractor Training (14)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/contractor-training)
- [Contracts (10)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/contracts)
- [Craftsmanship (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/craftsmanship)
- [Creating Referrals (16)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/creating-referrals)
- [Culture (10)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/culture)
- [Customer Relations (38)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/customer-relations)
- [Defining Design/Build (4)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/defining-designbuild)
- [Definitions (12)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/definitions)
- [Design Options (12)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/design-options)
- [Design Trends (10)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/design-trends)
- [Design/Build Process (7)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/designbuild-process)
- [Dietz Lawsuit Related (11)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/dietz-lawsuit-related)
- [Differentiating your Business (68)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/differentiating-your-business)
- [Earning More Money (33)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/earning-more-money)
- [Effects of the RRP Rule (4)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/effects-of-the-rrp-rule)
- [Employee Advancement (9)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/employee-advancement)
- [Employee Relations (3)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/employee-relations)
- [Enforcement and Inspections (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/enforcement-and-inspections)
- [EPA Announcements (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/epa-announcements)
- [EPA RRP Lead Rules (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/epa-rrp-lead-rules)
- [EPA RRP Rule Updates (3)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/epa-rrp-rule-updates)
- [Estimating (9)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/estimating)
- [Estimating Considerations (24)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/estimating-considerations)
- [Financial Related Topics (41)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/financial-related-topics)
- [Free Stuff (3)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/free-stuff)
- [Fun Stuff (10)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/fun-stuff)
- [Future of the Remodeling Industry (9)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/future-of-the-remodeling-industry)
- [Generation Y (8)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/generation-y)
- [Government Regulations (17)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/government-regulations)
- [Green Considerations (4)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/green-considerations)
- [Guest Blogs (72)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/guest-blogs)
- [Hiring and Firing (18)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/hiring-and-firing)
- [How You Do Business (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/how-you-do-business)
- [Insurance Considerations (15)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/insurance-considerations)
- [Job Costing Considerations (4)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/job-costing-considerations)
- [Keeping More Money (13)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/keeping-more-money)
- [Labor Costs (9)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/labor-costs)
- [LBM Dealer Topics (5)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/lbm-dealer-topics)
- [LBM Related Topics (8)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/lbm-related-topics)
- [Lead Carpenter System (11)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/lead-carpenter-system)
- [Lead Generation (16)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/lead-generation)
- [Lead Test Kits and Testing (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/lead-test-kits-and-testing)
- [Leadership (14)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/leadership)
- [Legal Considerations (11)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/legal-considerations)
- [Legal Related (10)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/legal-related)
- [Letters to send to Politicians (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/letters-to-send-to-politicians)
- [MA CSL Related (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/ma-csl-related)
- [MA HIC Regulations (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/ma-hic-regulations)
- [Managing Allowances (2)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/managing-allowances)
- [Margin and Markup (14)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/margin-and-markup)
- [Marketing (27)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/marketing)
- [Marketing Considerations (28)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/marketing-considerations)
- [Marketing Ideas (24)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/marketing-ideas)
- [Mentoring/Coaching (20)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/mentoringcoaching)
- [New Business Realities (25)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/new-business-realities)
- [Opinions from Contractors (17)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/opinions-from-contractors)
- [Opinions from Design/Builders (7)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/opinions-from-designbuilders)
- [Opt Out Related (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/opt-out-related)
- [OSHA - EPA Challenges (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/osha-epa-challenges)
- [OSHA Considerations (5)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/osha-considerations)
- [Paints and Painting (2)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/paints-and-painting)
- [Personal Protection (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/personal-protection)
- [Plans and Specifications (19)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/plans-and-specifications)
- [Pop Quizes (2)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/pop-quizes)
- [Prequalifying (17)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/prequalifying)
- [Production Considerations (32)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/production-considerations)
- [Profit Sharing (5)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/profit-sharing)
- [Project Meetings (3)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/project-meetings)
- [Questions from Visitors (2)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/questions-from-visitors)
- [QuickBooks Related (2)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/quickbooks-related)
- [Recruting (19)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/recruting)
- [Remodeler Education (12)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/remodeler-education)
- [Retirement Planning (12)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/retirement-planning)
- [Risk Management (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/risk-management)
- [RRP Related (11)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/rrp-related)
- [RRP Training (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/rrp-training)
- [Safety (2)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/safety)
- [Sage Advice (26)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/sage-advice)
- [Sales (17)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/sales)
- [Sales Considerations (37)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/sales-considerations)
- [Seasonal Opportunities (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/seasonal-opportunities)
- [Self Quizes (2)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/self-quizes)
- [Selling your Business (2)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/selling-your-business)
- [Shawn's Predictions (14)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/shawn39s-predictions)
- [Social Media for Contractors (6)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/social-media-for-contractors)
- [Software Related (4)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/software-related)
- [Starting a Business (8)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/starting-a-business)
- [Statistics (2)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/statistics)
- [Subcontractor Considerations (10)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/subcontractor-considerations)
- [Success Strategies (77)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/success-strategies)
- [Taxes (4)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/taxes)
- [Team Building (14)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/team-building)
- [Technology for Remodelers (10)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/technology-for-remodelers)
- [Tools and Supplies (4)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/tools-and-supplies)
- [Trade Associations (3)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/trade-associations)
- [Videos (5)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/videos)
- [Violation Reports (1)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/violation-reports)
- [Web Site Related (15)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/web-site-related)
- [Worker Training (19)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/worker-training)
- [Workers Compensation (3)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/workers-compensation)
- [Working with Design Professionals (8)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/working-with-design-professionals)
- [Working with Vendors (5)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/the-design-builders-blog/topic/working-with-vendors)

[![accounting blogs](http://logos-pictures.s3.amazonaws.com/byn-badge.png)](http://buildyournumbers.com/top-accounting-blogs/)

Take [QuickBooks Classes](http://buildyournumbers.com/) at BuildYourNumbers.com

### Most Popular Posts

### Straight Forward Information and Advice

***"Finally a site where I get the information I have been looking for!!"***

**Allen A. Reed  
Al Reed Builders**

 

***"I always read your blogs Shawn. You pack of ton of great data into a very concise and understandable format"***

**David Supple  
New England Design and Construction**

 

***"Been following you for years Shawn! You've always offered very valuable information and personal reflection related to our industry. Thanks!"***

****Peter Robinson  
Peter A. Robinson Remodeling LLC****

** **