The Craftsman Behind the Work

Andrew Thompson

Andrew Thompson is the owner and operator of Nomadic Carpentry & Marine Services, a South Florida-based custom carpentry and fabrication company specializing in high-end residential, marine, and commercial millwork.

Originally from South Africa, Andrew grew up around people who were always building, fixing, and creating. His grandfather worked in construction and mechanics, while his other grandfather was a skilled woodworker and instrument maker who built violins and furniture by hand. Long before carpentry became a business, it was simply part of everyday life.

As a kid, Andrew spent more time outside building things than sitting indoors. Whether it was helping his grandfather with projects, fishing trips, or hauling scrap wood and tools up mountain trails with friends to build bike jumps in the forests of the Garden Route, he developed an early hands-on understanding of problem-solving, creativity, and working with whatever materials and tools were available.

At 20 years old, Andrew moved to the United States and entered the yachting industry, where he spent years learning everything from vessel operations and mechanical systems to repairs and maintenance. During his downtime, he gravitated toward the engineering side of the industry, constantly looking to learn new skills rather than stay confined to a single role.

That curiosity eventually led him into marine carpentry, where he worked under an experienced yacht carpenter who taught him the fundamentals of templating, fabrication, veneers, fitment, and precision installation in some of the most unforgiving working environments possible. Unlike traditional construction, nothing on a yacht is square, level, or straightforward, and that experience shaped the way Andrew approaches problem-solving to this day.

After years of hands-on experience in marine carpentry, Andrew launched Nomadic Carpentry & Marine Services in 2020 with the goal of building a company centered around craftsmanship, adaptability, and personal accountability.

Since then, the company has grown from a small garage workspace into a fully equipped custom fabrication shop capable of handling everything from fine hardwood projects and custom built-ins to large-scale commercial installations and CNC fabrication.

Today, Andrew remains heavily involved in every project the company takes on. Clients aren’t hiring a salesperson or a revolving crew of subcontractors; they’re hiring the person who is designing, building, problem-solving, and standing behind the finished product.

Known for combining old-school craftsmanship with modern technology, Andrew has taught himself CNC programming, CAD design, digital fabrication, finishing systems, and advanced woodworking processes through real-world experience and years of continuous learning.

Some of the projects Andrew is most proud of include large-scale custom installations like the Rio Vista Church renovation, where hundreds of board feet of custom-finished white oak millwork, grain matching, veneering, and architectural detailing came together into one cohesive installation — a project that became a major turning point for the company through word-of-mouth referrals and reputation growth.

Looking ahead, Andrew’s vision for Nomadic Carpentry & Marine Services is not to become the biggest shop in Florida, but to build a respected company known for high standards, reliability, craftsmanship, and genuine client relationships. While the business continues to grow, the goal remains the same as it was from the beginning: build things properly, solve difficult problems, and create work that clients are genuinely proud to live with.

Equipment & Capabilities

CAMaster Stinger III CNC with WinCNC controller
VCarve Pro for CNC toolpath design
SketchUp 3D design: every client sees their project before we build
Mozaik cabinetry software for accurate cut lists and layouts
Digital estimating: line-item quotes, not guesswork
Full finishing capability: paint, stain, veneer
On-site installation: Andrew + team

Now that you know our story,
we’d love to hear about your vision.