Lead Carpenter

Job Description

Job Description

Rowe Carpentry is a residential renovation company in the Philadelphia metro area, specializing in complex additions and custom renovations in older homes. Work often involves structural surprises that aren't visible until the job is underway, since the drawings don't always match what's actually in the house.

You'll lead the crew on-site, setting the pace, assigning tasks, and reviewing quality before anything is called finished. You'll work directly with the owner and the rest of the field team, and you're the primary point of accountability for how a job runs day-to-day.

WHAT THE WORK ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE

Day to day, the work splits between hands-on carpentry on complex, non-repetitive jobs and managing the people and pace around you. Older homes come with structural issues the drawings don't show, and there's no one to hand those problems to; you're expected to solve them and keep the job moving. At the end of each day, the site is cleaned and organized regardless of whether the client is present.

WHO BELONGS HERE

• Take Ownership of the Jobsite: You treat the house you're working in, and the people living there, with the same care you'd give your own home.

• Self-Managing Professional: You solve problems you haven't seen before without waiting for direction, researching the answer if you need to.

• No Surprises for the Client: You surface unexpected issues immediately, along with the cost, time, and downstream impact.

• Earned, Not Owed: You measure the day by whether the work is done right, not by whether the clock ran out.

• We Listen Before We Lead: You speak up when you see a better way to do something, and you can back it up.

PAY AND PATH

Starting pay is $32 to $35/hr based on experience, or $66,560 to $72,800/yr full-time. Once you're running the crew independently with consistent quality and pace, that moves to $36 to $40/hr. Senior Leads who take on the hardest jobs and train other carpenters move to $42 to $48/hr. As the company grows toward a 10- to 12-person crew, the people running jobs today are the ones in line for what comes next.

$32 - $35 hourly

• Lead and manage the on-site crew, ensuring tasks are assigned efficiently and completed to the highest standard.
• Collaborate directly with the owner and field team to maintain seamless communication and project alignment.
• Oversee the quality of work, conducting thorough reviews before marking any task as complete.
• Solve unexpected structural challenges in older homes, keeping projects on track and within scope.
• Communicate promptly with clients about unforeseen issues, providing clear insights on costs and timelines.
• Maintain a clean and organized job site daily, ensuring safety and professionalism at all times.
• Foster a positive and productive work environment, encouraging team growth and skill development.

Required:

• 5+ years of hands-on carpentry experience.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• US work authorization.

Rowe Carpentry LLC takes the jobs most companies won't touch — complex additions and custom renovations in the Philadelphia metro area, where the drawings don't always match the house, and getting it wrong means getting it done twice. We specialize in old homes, precision work, and clients who want it done right the first time. The work requires real judgment, not just labor. Our reputation has built a three-month waitlist without a single ad. If you want to build things worth building, with a crew that actually thinks, this is where you work.