Renovation Carpentry and New Build Fit-Out in Co. Louth and South Armagh
The carpentry on a building project is either the thing that ties everything together or the thing that shows every other trade’s mistakes. A carpenter who understands construction sequence, communicates clearly with the site team, and works to a consistent standard does both: he integrates with the project and he raises the finished quality of everything around him.
Setanta Woodcraft & Carpentry provides first fix, second fix, and renovation carpentry services across Co. Louth, South Armagh, Dundalk, Newry, and the border corridor. John McShane works directly with homeowners, developers, and contractors. Every job is assessed honestly, quoted in writing, and delivered to the agreed specification.
The renovation and fit-out work sits alongside the fitted kitchens, furniture, staircases, and flooring that make up the majority of Setanta’s domestic commissions. For clients planning a full renovation, having the same craftsman responsible for both the structural carpentry and the joinery fit-out produces a more coherent result and simpler project management.
What Setanta Does in Renovation Carpentry
First Fix Carpentry
First fix is everything that goes in before plastering: the structural timber work that forms the bones of a renovation or new build.
- Stud wall framing: Partition walls in timber or light steel stud for new rooms, subdivisions of existing space, and home office or utility room conversions
- Steel frame carpentry: Where structural steel is involved in a renovation, the timber carpentry that integrates with and completes the steel frame
- Floor joists and subfloors: Suspended timber floors, replacement joists where existing are damaged, and engineered subfloor systems
- Roof framing elements: Ceiling joists, timber elements of flat roof constructions and extensions, dormer framing
- Window and door rough openings: Forming and lining openings for new windows, doors, and French doors as part of an extension or renovation
Second Fix Carpentry
Second fix is everything visible after plastering: the finish carpentry that defines the quality of a completed project.
- Door hanging: Internal and external door installation, including fitting frames, hanging doors, adjusting ironmongery
- Skirting, architrave, and coving: The joinery detail that makes a room feel finished
- Window boards and reveals: Hardwood or painted MDF window boards, lining of reveals
- Staircase installation: Where staircase supply is by a specialist, Setanta coordinates the installation within the second fix programme
- Built-in storage and shelving: Alcove units, understairs storage, and simple fitted joinery that does not require the full bespoke kitchen or wardrobe service
Full Renovation Carpentry
Where a project involves both first and second fix, or where a homeowner or developer wants a single carpentry contractor responsible for all timber work on a renovation, Setanta takes on the full scope. This is common in whole-house renovations in the Dundalk and Newry corridor, in farmhouse renovations on the Cooley Peninsula, and in commercial fit-outs.
New Build Fit-Out
Setanta works with developers fitting out new builds across the Dundalk-Newry corridor. First and second fix on residential new builds, carpentry fit-out of commercial spaces, and hospitality fit-out commissions. Developer clients get the same quality and the same direct accountability as residential clients.
Service Area
Setanta is based in Carlingford and works across:
- Dundalk and Co. Louth: the main domestic and developer renovation market
- Newry and South Armagh: cross-border renovation and fit-out work
- Carlingford and the Cooley Peninsula: farmhouse renovations, holiday property fit-outs, heritage property work
- Wider border region: by arrangement for larger commercial projects
What Renovation Carpentry Costs
Labour rates and project costs vary significantly depending on scope, materials, and complexity. Realistic 2026 guide rates:
| Work Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Carpenter day rate (labour only) | €300 to €380 per day |
| Stud wall partition, per linear metre, framed only | €45 to €90 |
| Internal door supply, hang, and ironmongery | €350 to €650 per door |
| Skirting and architrave, per linear metre | €12 to €22 fitted |
| Full second fix, 3-bed house (labour only) | €6,000 to €10,000 |
| First fix carpentry, new build extension | Quoted by project |
All projects are quoted in writing after a site visit. Materials are additional unless specified as a supply-and-fix quote.
For a full breakdown of new build carpentry fit-out costs, the 2026 carpentry fit-out cost guide covers the main variables.
Working with Developers and Contractors
Setanta’s renovation carpentry service is designed to work within construction programmes as well as for individual homeowners. John is familiar with construction sequencing, can coordinate with other trades, communicates clearly on timeline and progress, and invoices transparently.
For developers fitting out multiple units in Dundalk, Newry, or the border corridor, the combination of consistent quality and direct communication from a single carpenter makes Setanta a practical long-term subcontract relationship.
The fitted kitchen service and fitted furniture that are part of the broader Setanta offering mean that a developer can engage John for carpentry fit-out and return for kitchen and joinery commissions as the project progresses.
The Distinction Between Renovation Carpentry and Bespoke Joinery
First and second fix renovation carpentry and bespoke joinery are overlapping but distinct disciplines. First fix is construction carpentry: structurally competent, sequenced correctly, integrated with other trades. Second fix is finish carpentry: precise, consistent, well-detailed.
Bespoke joinery for kitchens, wardrobes, staircases, and furniture requires a different level of attention to detail and a longer lead time. These are workshop commissions that are designed, built, and then installed. Renovation carpentry is on-site work, responsive to the conditions found on the day.
John does both, and understanding where each applies is part of how a renovation project is managed efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you do one-off renovation jobs or only larger contracts? Both. Individual jobs such as hanging a set of doors, fitting skirting after a room renovation, or framing a stud wall partition for a home office are all workable. Minimum charges apply for very small jobs to cover travel and setup time. John quotes honestly on whether a job warrants the call-out.
Can you coordinate with other trades on a renovation? Yes. John is experienced working within multi-trade renovation programmes. He communicates directly with the project manager, homeowner, or main contractor and flags any issues that affect the carpentry programme as early as possible.
Do you work on commercial properties as well as residential? Yes. Commercial fit-out, hospitality renovation, and light commercial carpentry are all within scope. Building regulations and fire specification requirements for commercial properties are addressed at the quoting stage.
Get in Touch
For renovation carpentry in Dundalk, Carlingford, Newry, or across Co. Louth and South Armagh, contact John directly.
Phone / WhatsApp: 083 003 3268 Email: johnmcshane144@gmail.com Based in: Carlingford, Co. Louth