What does a finish carpentry scope include?

It covers doors, casing, baseboards, crown molding, closet shelving, and detail work like filling and caulking. It defines what trim goes where and the quality expectations.

Should trim be painted or stained?

That's a design decision. Painted trim uses MDF or primed pine and gets caulked. Stained trim uses hardwood and shows the wood grain — joints need to be tighter since caulk isn't used.

Who provides the materials?

It varies. On new construction, the GC usually supplies trim and doors. On remodels, the finish carpenter may provide everything. Clarify in the scope.

What about built-ins?

Custom built-ins (bookshelves, window seats, entertainment centers) are usually priced separately from standard trim work. Add them as a line item if they're in your scope.

Can I modify this template?

Yes. Adjust for your project — new construction trim, remodel, custom millwork, or stair work.

Finish Carpentry Scope of Work Template | Free Download 2026

Finish carpentry is what makes a house feel finished — trim, baseboards, crown molding, and door hardware. It's detail work that everyone notices when it's wrong. A scope of work defines what's being installed and the quality expectations. This template covers trim, molding, doors, and built-in work. It's designed for finish carpenters and the GCs who hire them. Fill in the details for your project.

Project Overview

This scope covers finish carpentry including baseboard, crown molding, casing, door hanging, and built-in installations. Applicable to new construction and remodel projects.

Typical Projects Include:

New construction trim package
Baseboard and crown installation
Door and casing installation
Wainscoting or paneling
Custom shelving and built-ins
Stair railing and baluster installation

Scope of Work

Door & Window Trim

Task	Description
Door Hanging	Hang interior doors — verify swing direction, set hinges, and adjust for proper gap and latch.
Door Casing	Install casing around all doors. Miter or butt joints per style. Nail and fill.
Window Casing	Install window casing, stools, and aprons. Ensure tight fit to the window frame.
Hardware	Install door knobs, lever handles, hinges, and door stops throughout.

Molding & Trim

Task	Description
Baseboards	Install baseboards throughout. Cope inside corners and miter outside corners. Nail and fill.
Crown Molding	Install crown molding in specified rooms. Cope inside corners for tight joints.
Chair Rail & Wainscoting	Install chair rail, wainscoting, or wall paneling in specified areas.
Closet Shelving	Install closet shelves, rods, and any built-in organizers.

Details & Finish

Task	Description
Nail Holes	Fill all nail holes with wood filler. Sand smooth after drying. Ready for paint or stain.
Caulking	Caulk gaps between trim and walls for a seamless painted finish.
Touch-Up Cuts	Re-cut or adjust any joints that don't meet quality standards.
Walkthrough	Walk the project with the GC or client. Create and complete a punch list.

Timeline & Milestones

Finish carpentry for a typical home takes 1-3 weeks depending on the scope and detail level.

Phase	Duration	Description
Doors & Casing	2-5 days	Door hanging, door casing, and window trim.
Molding & Trim	3-7 days	Baseboards, crown, chair rail, and closets.
Details & Finish	1-3 days	Filling, caulking, and punchlist.

Roles & Responsibilities

GC / Property Owner

•Provide all trim materials and hardware
•Ensure walls are painted (or at least primed) before trim
•Specify trim profiles and stain/paint finish
•Process payments per the agreed schedule

Finish Carpenter

•Install all trim, molding, and doors per specification
•Fill nail holes and caulk gaps
•Ensure all joints are tight and professional
•Complete punch list items

Materials & Equipment

Trim

•Baseboard molding
•Crown molding
•Door and window casing
•Chair rail or wainscoting

Doors & Hardware

•Interior doors (prehung or slab)
•Door knobs or levers
•Hinges
•Door stops

Supplies

•Finish nails (15 or 16 gauge)
•Wood filler
•Caulk
•Construction adhesive

Quality Control Standards

Tight Joints

All miter and cope joints are tight with no visible gaps.

Level & Plumb

All trim is level and plumb. Baseboards follow the floor line, crown follows the ceiling.

Smooth Finish

Nail holes filled and sanded smooth. Caulk lines clean and consistent.

Safety Protocols

Nail Gun Safety

Follow proper nail gun safety — never bypass the safety tip. Keep muzzle away from body and others.

Saw Safety

Use blade guards and proper technique on miter saws. Secure small pieces before cutting.

Dust

Use dust collection when cutting MDF or painted trim. MDF dust is particularly irritating.

Project Documentation

Signed contract and scope of work
Trim profile specifications
Door schedule (sizes, styles, swing directions)
Hardware selections
Completed punch list
Before and after photos

Financial Terms

Payment Structure

Finish carpentry is typically billed as a package price or per opening/linear foot.

Terms & Conditions

•Deposit due at project start
•Progress payment at midpoint
•Final payment after punch list completion
•Material may be provided by GC or included in carpenter's bid
•Change orders for additional trim or built-in work

Acceptance Criteria & Sign-Off

The project is considered complete when the following criteria are met:

1All doors hung properly with correct swing and latch
2Trim joints tight with no visible gaps
3Baseboards and crown level and consistent
4All nail holes filled and sanded
5Caulk applied at all trim-to-wall joints
6Hardware installed and functional

Frequently Asked Questions

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Finish Carpentry Scope of Work Template