CARPENTRY INDUSTRY BENCHMARKS
- Rachel James
- Nov 7, 2024
- 1 min read
Updated: Nov 21, 2024
Knowing the carpentry industry benchmark helps you gauge your business’s performance, identify growth opportunities, and make informed strategic decisions.
The main activities for businesses in this industry are the provision of a wide range of carpentry services in the construction, commercial and domestic markets. These include:
· formwork
· installation of doors and partitions
· renovation
These benchmarks do not apply to cabinet makers.

Performance Benchmarks
These performance benchmarks are based on data from income tax and BAS statements filed with the Australian Tax Office.
The main expenses for these businesses are labour and cost of materials.
The key benchmark ratio for this industry is total expenses to turnover. This ratio is likely to be the most accurate predictor of business turnover.
Key Benchmark Ratio | Annual Turnover Range | ||
| Low $50,000 – $110,000 | Medium $110,001 – $400,000 | High More than $400,000 |
Income Tax Return | |||
Total expenses/turnover | 33% - 51% | 54% - 71% | 80% - 89% |
Average total expenses | 42% | 63% | 85% |
Activity Statement |
|
|
|
Non-capital purchases / total sales | 25% - 43% | 37% - 57% | 57% - 72% |
The benchmarks are published as a range representing ratios reported by businesses grouped either side of the average. Publishing benchmarks as a range allows for variations across financial years, regions and business models.
The following benchmarks are available as a guide for businesses to review their performance and business practices against other similar businesses. The following expenses are not reported by every business, so one or more of these benchmarks may not apply to an individual business.
BENCHMARK RATIO | Annual Turnover Range | ||
Income Tax Return | Low $50,000 – $110,000 | Medium $110,001 – $400,000 | High More than $400,000 |
Cost of Sales / Turnover | 10% - 25% | 18% - 34% | 27% - 41% |
Labour / Turnover | 23% - 35% | 22% - 34% | 26% - 42% |
Motor Vehicle expenses / turnover | 7% - 11% | 4% - 7% | 2% - 3% |