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Chargehand Carpenter

Leads a carpentry gang on a set or workshop job on UK film/TV stages and locations under Construction Manager / art drawings.

Duties

• Read the call sheet and sides before arriving
• Maintain radio/set etiquette and H&S
• Hand over notes/kit status at wrap
• Allocate carpenters
• Quality and deadline on builds
• Safe working
• Liaise Construction Manager

Reports to

Construction Manager

Works with

Carpenters, Stagehands, Art Director on that set

Career path

Carpenter → Chargehand Carpenter → Construction Manager

Day to day

Allocate carpenters; quality-check builds; liaise Art Director; keep programme. Follow your call sheet, protect H&S, and hand over kit/notes at wrap.

Call times

Workshop/stage builds often early day shifts; night builds around shooting stages happen. Standby construction matches unit when covering; strike days run long.

What to wear

PPE: boots, hard hat, hi-vis as required; gloves; eye/ear protection; outdoor layers for yards. Follow Construction Manager site rules.

Tools & kit

Trade tools as carpenter/painter/plasterer grade; PPE always; site tool stores as managed by CM.

Tips

Confirm title, agreement, budget band, prep/wrap and kit fee on the deal memo before accepting. We never invent Bectu figures — check bectu.org.uk ratecards / your branch.

Software

• Drawing PDFs
• Cut lists
• PDF drawings / Bluebeam
• Excel labour & materials schedules
• Call sheets when on standby
• ChatGPT for cut-list drafts (Chargehand/CM verify)

Related roles

Carpenter, Construction Manager

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