A finishing carpenter must have a thorough understanding of wood and other materials. They understand the many varieties of wood, their properties, and their suitability for specific uses. Finishing carpenters are also skilled in working with a variety of materials, including engineered wood, laminates, and veneers, allowing them to choose the best materials for each project.

To attain precision and quality in their work, finishing carpenters employ a wide range of tools and equipment. Hand tools such as chisels, planes, and saws, as well as power tools such as mitre saws, routers, and sanders, fall under this category. To ensure proper installations and alignments, finishing carpenters utilize measuring tools such as levels, squares, and tape measures.