A primary role for finish carpenters is building items, such as shelves, doors, windows, counters, and other carpentry projects, to the correct scale and dimensions.

If working on a renovation project, finish carpenters dismantle and demolish designated items before carrying out repairs or inputting new materials. For example, if a finish carpenter is refitting doors in a home or office, they will remove the previous doors before beginning work on either repairing them or fitting new ones.

Finishing carpenters generally add the final touch to a carpentry project by trimming, shaping, and installing ornaments and various other wood finishes that improve the appearance of a wooden structure.