The 5 Best Carpenters in Christchurch for Reliable Repairs and Quality Builds
David Sims
| Last Updated: September 2025 There’s always that one job around the house that lingers—a cupboard that won’t close, a step that creaks, or a deck that never feels quite safe.
In Christchurch, where weekends are meant for the beach or a walk in Port Hills, nobody wants to waste time battling with a half-finished DIY fix.
That’s why finding a carpenter you can trust is so valuable. They’ll handle the repairs and builds properly, so you can actually enjoy the results.
Here’s our list of the best carpenters in Christchurch for reliable repairs and quality craftsmanship.
How much do carpenters in Christchurch cost?
1. McBride Construction Ltd
Address: 68 Orbell Street, Sydenham
Phone: +6433772518
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
McBride Construction Ltd stood out when looking at carpentry and building projects in the area.
They handled a wide range of projects, from residential new builds and unit developments to renovations and commercial strengthening.
We spoke with a local homeowner who had their house repaired after quake damage, and they mentioned that the team was really organized and kept the process smooth from start to finish.
Being NHC-approved (formerly EQC) meant they were certified for earthquake repairs. This gives us extra confidence in recommending them for tricky or damaged properties.
We also noticed that sustainability is a big part of how they work. They use eco-friendly materials, manage waste carefully, and plant a native tree for each property they repair.
It gave the sense that they cared about the community and the environment, not just the construction work itself.
The only minor drawback we observed was that, due to high demand, there is a risk that some projects might be rushed. This could affect attention to detail.
Professional, reliable
“McBride Construction have just completed a large EQC onsold project at our home which from start to finish has taken over two years. From our initial meetings with Karl, through the design and planning process to project execution and completion, the McBride’s team under Tom’s management have exceeded our expectations at every stage. Having to pack up everything and vacate our property for the best part of a year was never going to be pleasant experience, but McBride’s stuck firmly to the project plan and had us back in our repaired home bang on schedule thereby minimising the disruption. Throughout the project they engaged with engineers, designers and tradesmen of the highest quality which is evident from the excellent end result of the work. As can be expected with a project of this size there were a number of specification changes required en route, but these were handled with minimum disruption to the project as a result of the excellent professional working relationship McBride’s have established with the EQC. We cannot recommend McBride Construction too highly.”
– Ian Mandley, Google Review
Supportive and responsive
“We engaged McBride to carry out EQC remediations of our home. They were fantastic from start to finish and made a very stressful process easier. Their team was extremely responsive and always happy to help! We had many issues with EQC and the McBride team went above and beyond to help resolve all issue that came up. Plus the house looks fantastic! Thank you so much team.”
– Tessa Coates, Google Review
2. Oncore Christchurch
Address: 14/135 Lichfield Street
Phone: +64800758002
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
What we liked about Oncore Christchurch is how much they cover in property maintenance.
They handle kitchens, bathrooms, and flooring for residential and commercial projects. This makes it easy to see how their services fit a variety of needs.
Their work in these areas was reflected in the experience of a local landlord. She shared how her rental was updated to meet Healthy Homes Standards thanks to the team. They handled insulation, heating, ventilation, and drainage efficiently.
Beyond individual projects, we were also impressed by how they manage work overall. Having a single point of contact from consultation to completion seemed to simplify the process and reduce the usual back-and-forth that can slow things down.
This approach is backed by strong leadership under Gary Camoin, who has received multiple accolades. In fact, he received the 2021 and 2022 Business to Business Franchisee of the Year.
However, we heard that service consistency can vary between Oncore branches. While Christchurch seemed reliable, experiences might differ at other locations.
Excellent service at a fair price
“Matt is an exceptional professional. He provided a competitive price to address a recent issue in my home. I confidently recommend his services for any repairs and home health assessments.”
– Deep Trivedi, Google Review
Quality repair and service
“Matt, I am very satisfied with the work you carried out repairing and cleaning the gutters on my home. Thank you for your assistance. Cath”
– Cath Christie, Google Review
3. LOC Construction Ltd
Address: 10 Hartley Avenue, Strowan
Phone: +64 22 025 9915
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
LOC Construction Ltd has been active in Christchurch since 1992. Founded by Olympic gold medalist Les O’Connell and now led by his son Tom, the team brings 30+ years of experience to various projects.
This experience is clear in the variety of carpentry and construction work they take on. They do architectural and hill builds, decks, and even multi-unit housing.
They also handle specialized work such as earthquake and insurance repairs, as well as electrical and structural elements tied to building projects.
From what we heard from the people who worked with them, the team is very reliable and experienced. Projects were completed on time, stayed within budget, and showed solid craftsmanship.
Their reputation is backed by multiple Master Builder Golds and Category Wins in the House of the Year competition, which recognize excellence in design, craftsmanship, and overall building quality.
Communication also seems to be a key part of their approach, with projects well-communicated and owners feeling confident about how things were progressing.
However, their popularity can make scheduling tricky. With demand this high, starting a project might take longer than expected, which is worth considering if timing is important.
Great communication, friendly team
“LOC recently completed our house build , they did such a great job and the house looks amazing , it’s everything we had hoped for . Tom was our project manager and he was great with communication, keeping us informed along the way and responding promptly to any questions we had. LOC went above and beyond , for example, building us a custom floating vanity to match a picture we had seen and liked. The team were all very professional and friendly and were more than happy to show us around and talk us through progress whenever we came over to have a look. We would highly recommend LOC to anyone looking at building , not only do they do a great job which was delivered on time and with no surprising extra costs , they’re also a lovely down to earth team who were a pleasure to deal with . Thanks LOC for making our building process an enjoyable and stress free experience.”
– Rose Hirst, Google Review
Outstanding service and communication
“Currently working us through the design and build process after being referred by a friend and a family member. Impeccable service and quality communication. I was referred by two people who reiterated to me their ability to execute flawless workmanship in their builds particularly in the higher end builds. The care and customer service we’ve received so far is faultless. Would recommend along with the others who have spoken so highly.”
– Jonny Nicholls, Facebook Review
4. Pete’s Construction LLC
Address: 222 Newtons Road, Templeton
Phone: 027 339 9945
Business hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Pete’s Construction LLC has spent over 10 years building a strong reputation across Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region.
Their carpentry work covers decks, intricate interior woodwork, and thorough renovations. They also handle commercial projects, showing skill and flexibility across different types of work.
What most clients appreciated was the team’s transparent pricing. The detailed, itemized invoices meant people knew exactly what they were paying for, which made the process feel straightforward.
What we really love is that they manage projects from start to finish, handling consents and coordinating contractors while managing all the necessary paperwork. This approach makes building or renovating much less stressful.
It’s also reassuring that the team is certified and insured through the New Zealand Certified Builders Association and Site Safe. On top of that, they offer a 10-year guarantee on work over $30,000.
These give us peace of mind that we’ll get quality craftsmanship and will not be left behind if an accident happens.
The only drawback we noticed is that costs can be higher than average, which might be a consideration for anyone on a tighter budget.
High-quality workmanship
“Pete recently completed a home extention including addition of new bed room, remodelling the master bedroom, remodelling WIR, ensuite and addition of new toilet and new laundry space. I had him price the job off the architectural pricing set. He completed the project within the agreed schedue and agreed budgets and variations. His communication throughout the project was top notch. His team including Jayden and Matt were punctual, tidy and polite. All the subs engaged by him were proffessional and delivered their work to a high standard.”
– Kush Maddumarachchi, Google Review
Reliable, easy to work with
“I’ve worked with Pete and the awesome team at Pete’s Construction on a few jobs now and I’m always stoked with the results. He’s reliable, easy to deal with, and his work is top quality. Couldn’t recommend him more.
Look forward to the next one!”
– Kane Lewis, Google Review
5. TAG CARPENTRY LTD
Phone: +64 22 170 1715
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
TAG Carpentry Ltd made it to our list for their practical approach to carpentry projects. They handle a variety of work, including decking, kitchens, and agricultural buildings.
We appreciated how involved the team is throughout the process. Many clients said they make design decisions clear and keep everyone informed at every stage. This hands-on approach helped make the experience more manageable.
We also noticed that the team focuses on completing projects efficiently and methodically. They coordinate contractors, manage consents and paperwork, and keep communication straightforward.
People we spoke with mentioned that this approach made timelines easier to follow and gave them confidence that work would be done properly.
The team is fully qualified and insured, which adds to that sense of reliability and safety. With over 10 years of experience, this methodical approach is reflected in the attention to detail and craftsmanship visible in the finished work.
The only drawback we observed is that their services are mostly limited to Canterbury and North Canterbury. Clients outside these areas might have a harder time accessing their expertise.
Reliable, skilled, and affordable
“Can highly recommend Tag Carpentry. They are reliable, great at what they do, and are well priced too. We are thrilled with our new bathroom, pergola and deck railing.”
– Rachel Hobbs-Price, Google Review
Fast, high-quality work
“Todd and Don did an awesome job of our wheelchair ramp for our daughter. They made it match in seamlessly with our existing Kwila deck. Done in double quick time to an excellent standard at a reasonable price. Value for money and highly recommended.”
– Stew de Joux, Google Review
