Woodwork is one of the last trades on a new house and one of the first people call during a renovation. A good carpenter decides how your doors close for the next twenty years, whether kitchen shutters sag, and whether a wardrobe swells in the monsoon. This guide explains what carpenters and woodwork contractors in Lahore do, how to compare them, and how to avoid the common mistakes.
Post your requirement on this page and woodwork contractors who cover your area can send you quotes. Posting is free.
What woodwork contractors do
In Lahore you will meet three kinds of providers:
- Individual carpenters (mistri) who work on site with a helper, usually on labour-only or labour-plus-material terms.
- Workshops that cut and assemble shutters, frames and furniture off site, then install. They often have machines for edge banding and spraying.
- Woodwork contractors who manage a full package for a house — doors, frames, kitchen, wardrobes, vanities — and may subcontract polish or hardware fitting.
Bigger jobs (a full house) are better suited to a workshop or contractor with a team. Small repairs and one-off items suit an individual carpenter.
Services in this category
| Service | What it is | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Doors & windows woodwork | Door frames (chokhat), door shutters, window frames and wooden shutters, fitting and hardware | Grey structure is complete, or old doors are warped or termite-damaged |
| Kitchen cabinets | Base and wall cabinets, tall units, shutters, counters cut-outs, hardware | New kitchen, or renovation of an old masonry kitchen |
| Wardrobes & built-in cupboards | Floor-to-ceiling wardrobes, sliding or hinged shutters, lofts, internal drawers | Bedrooms in a new house, or replacing old almirahs |
| Wooden flooring installation | Laminate, engineered or solid wood floors with underlay and skirting | Upgrading bedrooms, lounges or offices from tile or cement |
| Custom furniture | Beds, dining tables, sofas frames, TV units, study tables made to size | Odd room sizes, matching a theme, or replicating a design |
| Repairs & polish | Re-hanging doors, replacing hinges and locks, re-polishing, termite treatment of woodwork | Before selling or renting out, or after seepage damage |
Materials you will be asked to choose
Most of the cost and most of the arguments come from material choice. Ask every contractor to write the material in the quote.
| Material | Typical use | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Solid hardwood | Main doors, frames, premium furniture | Must be seasoned (dried); green wood twists and cracks |
| Softwood / local timber | Frames, internal structure, budget furniture | Termite treatment is essential |
| Plywood | Cabinet carcasses, wardrobe bodies, wet areas | Check the grade and ply count; ask whether it is suitable for moisture |
| MDF / HDF | Shutters, painted or lacquered surfaces | Swells if water gets in through edges |
| Chipboard / particle board | Budget carcasses | Weak screw hold; avoid near sinks |
| Laminates, veneers, lacquer, PU paint | Surface finish | Ask for the exact finish sample and edge treatment |
How to choose a carpenter or woodwork contractor
There is no national licence that every carpenter must hold, so you judge them by work, process and paperwork.
- See finished work in person. Photos hide gaps. Visit a completed kitchen or wardrobe and open the shutters, drawers and doors.
- Check the workshop. A clean workshop with stored, stacked timber and covered boards is a good sign. Ask how they dry wood.
- Ask who will be on site. The person who quotes is not always the person who works. Get the lead carpenter's name.
- Get a written, itemised quote. Material, thickness, finish, hardware and installation should be separate lines.
- Agree a drawing. Even a hand sketch with measurements, signed by both sides, prevents disputes.
- Check business details. If you need a proper invoice (for an office or a company), ask whether they are registered with FBR for sales tax and can issue one.
How pricing usually works
Woodwork in Lahore is priced in a few common ways. Ask which one a quote uses so you compare like with like:
- Per running foot — common for kitchen cabinets and some wardrobes.
- Per square foot — common for shutters, wardrobes measured by face area, panelling and flooring.
- Per piece — doors, frames and furniture items.
- Labour only — you buy wood, boards and hardware; the carpenter charges for making and fitting.
- Lump sum — a full package for a house or flat.
What moves the price:
- Wood species and whether it is seasoned and treated
- Board type and thickness, and laminate or veneer quality
- Hardware: hinges, drawer channels, soft-close fittings, handles, locks
- Finish: polish, lacquer, paint or high-gloss
- Design complexity, number of drawers and internal fittings
- Site access, floor level and whether old woodwork must be removed
We do not publish rates because they change with timber and board prices. Get at least three written quotes for the same drawing and the same material list.
Process: from request to completion
- Post your requirement with room sizes, photos and the items you need.
- Site visit and measurement. Woodwork must be measured after plaster; kitchens after tiling decisions are final.
- Design and material sign-off. Agree drawings, material samples, hardware and finish.
- Advance payment. Usually linked to material purchase. Keep it modest and get a receipt.
- Fabrication. In the workshop or on site. Ask to inspect frames and carcasses before finishing.
- Installation. Check plumb, level and gaps; doors should not rub or swing open on their own.
- Finishing and snag list. Note every scratch, gap or loose hinge in writing.
- Final payment only after the snag list is cleared.
Red flags
- A quote with one total and no material details
- Pressure for a large advance before any drawing is agreed
- Wood that is visibly wet, has live borer holes or fresh cracks
- Refusal to let you visit the workshop or a past job
- "Same as sample" promises without a sample you can keep
- No answer on who fixes problems after installation
FAQs
Should I buy the wood myself or let the carpenter buy it? Buying yourself gives control but you carry the risk of wrong sizes and wastage. If the carpenter buys, ask for supplier bills and inspect the material before cutting starts.
When should the carpenter start in a new house? Door frames are often fixed during the structure or before plaster; shutters, kitchens and wardrobes come after plaster and flooring decisions. Ask your contractor to sequence it with tiling and electrical work.
How do I protect woodwork from termites? Ask for treated timber and treatment of the wall or floor contact points before fixing. Keep wood away from damp walls and fix seepage first.
Is plywood or MDF better for a kitchen? Many homeowners prefer moisture-resistant plywood for carcasses near the sink and use MDF or HDF for shutters. Ask the contractor to explain their choice for each part.
How long does woodwork take? It depends on the volume, design and finish. Ask for a written schedule with milestones rather than a single end date.
Can I get a warranty? Some workshops give a written warranty on workmanship and hardware. Ask what is covered and for how long, and get it on the invoice.
Sources
This guide is based on general trade practice in Lahore and does not quote rates, fees or standards. Get written quotes from contractors for current prices.