What Is First Fix Carpentry And Why Should I Hire A Commercial Carpentry Business For My Build?

What Is First Fix Carpentry And Why Should I Hire A Commercial Carpentry Business For My Build?

First fix carpentry is an important part of any commercial building process. First fix involves the installation of the structural carpentry elements, such as the timber framework, joists, studwork, floorboards and roofing, that provide the load-bearing features of a building.

Hiring a professional commercial carpentry business, such as SC4, to handle the first fix carpentry on your project can save both time and money for principal contractors and developers. In this article, we will discuss what exactly first fix carpentry is and why it pays to hire a professional to support you at this crucial stage of building development.

Tasks involved in first fix carpentry

First fix carpentry refers to all on-site tasks that are required to establish the basic structure of a building, whether that structure is a new build house, a commercial building, or a renovation/conversion. The first fix carpenter installs floor joists, flooring, stair flights, internal walls, roof trusses, partitions, window frames and door frames. It is important that all these elements are installed correctly to ensure the structural integrity of the building.

In addition to these structural tasks, first fix carpentry also covers the installation of wooden housing and boxings for internal infrastructure, such as plumbing and wiring – so the role of a first fix carpenter frequently involves close liaison with other tradespeople within the project.

Once all these elements are in place, then second fix carpentry can begin, which involves tasks such as fitting stair components, skirting and architraves, installing door linings and lintels, as well as other visible carpentry items.

An experienced first fixed carpentry contractor will be able to advise on all aspects of structural carpentry, including the best choice of materials for different tasks, the correct fixings, milestone planning and project coordination with other tradespeople.

Benefits of hiring a commercial carpentry business

Hiring a commercial carpentry business has many benefits for building contractors - as a professional first fix specialist will have the knowledge, accreditation and practical expertise needed to get the job completed safely and efficiently – creating a ‘blank canvas’ for plasterers, decorators, plumbers and electricians to install their first fix items and then all trades to go on to fit the visible second fix elements of the building.

An experienced first fix carpenter will have:

• the correct tools for the job and know how to use them
• knowledge of the correct materials and fixings to use for each task
• a detailed understanding of how all stages of the build process fit together
• respect for other trades and their role
• good knowledge of building regulations, health and safety, NHBC standards
• the ability to understand complex drawings, plans and specifications
• great spatial awareness and attention to detail

In combination, these skills, know-how and experience will ensure all carpentry components are installed properly, other trades can complete their works efficiently and there are no structural surprises later in the project.

Having an experienced carpentry contracting business on your side means that any potential structural problems or design issues can be pre-empted or dealt with quickly before they become major headaches or the cause of expensive project delays.

Find out more

Working with an experienced first fix carpentry specialist like SC4 can help building contractors control project costs, minimise delays, avoid health and safety and compliance issues, and ensure the best quality results first time. If you’re looking for support with your next commercial building project in or around Hampshire, Surrey, or West Sussex, please give us a call today on 0330 1200776.