Trim is a rather broad category. I would group everything from simple baseboard molding to custom wainscoting within this diverse trade. Essentially, the job of the trim carpenter is to cover up the mistakes made by all the other trades, but the sum can be more than the parts. For instance, baseboards are designed to cover the necessary gap left by flooring and drywall, but they also add a sense of continuity to a house, and they make you feel grounded by providing a level line. Wainscoting was made to protect walls from damage, but it can make an otherwise lifeless two-story foyer a work of art. Attention to detail and creativity are key to a good trim carpenter, and I try to bring my best of both to every trim job.

Well hung doors can be heard as easily as they can be seen; the sound of a door latching effortlessly is unmistakable. Given that they move, they function through several planes and they occupy holes that are rarely square, doors are tricky to install perfectly and often fail. That’s why I pride myself on my ability both to install new doors as well as to repair existing doors. My dad likes to call me the “door doctor”, but that’s not necessarily a name I answer to.

Balustrades and handrails are particularly challenging. Not only must they be made with precision to function safely, but they also must also be built to be incredibly robust. To be fair, anything dealing with stairs is subject to more building code than most other parts of a house, but I can think of nothing else that requires a combination of strength and beauty as much as a balustrade. I’ve constructed all sorts of railings— from traditional wooden structures to more modern combinations of iron and wood. I’ve even tried my hand with some cable railing (although I consider that carpentry adjacent). Regardless of the style, my balustrades are always code compliant as well as stunning to look at.