Wood Rot & Dry Rot Repair Burlingame, CA 94010

Carpentry in Burlingame, CA (94010) · Local Professionals

San Francisco Carpentry · Fast response in Burlingame and the San Francisco area · Free estimate 24h

✅ EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm 🛡️ Fully Insured 💸 Free Quote 24h 🕐 Mon-Sun 7am-7pm

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10Years in Business

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Burlingame's tree canopy is one of the Peninsula's most mature and beautiful, with towering coast redwoods, Douglas firs, and heritage oaks shading the leafy streets of Easton Addition and Lyon Hoag. Our team at San Francisco Carpentry has been caring for the wood in these neighborhoods since 2016, from the original millwork inside your 1920s craftsman to the structural timbers holding up your deck and the fascia protecting your eaves from the marine fog.

When a tree limb hangs over your roof, when storm damage leaves you with cracked siding or a split header, or when you need expert carpentry to repair the rot that wet winters leave behind, Burlingame homeowners call us. We know this neighborhood, we know the wood that built it, and we show up to do the work ourselves.

Carpentry in Burlingame (94010)

Burlingame's housing stock tells the story of a century of Bay Area living. You have the original Victorians and Edwardians with period trim and built-ins that deserve proper restoration, the 1920s-40s stucco-over-wood rows with hidden structural wood underneath, and the mid-century Doelger and Westlake tracts with settled floors and doors that stick in their jambs. The marine fog climate here keeps exterior wood damp year-round, which means dry rot in sills, fascia, and deck frames is a permanent structural concern, not a seasonal one. Salt air accelerates the decay of redwood and Douglas fir siding, and water that gets behind trim or into a rim joist will find its way into the framing.

Our team handles wood rot repair, structural framing, floor joist and subfloor replacement, finish carpentry, stair and railing work, deck and porch repair, and all the trim and built-in millwork that makes older homes worth saving. We work with the Burlingame building department on permits for structural alterations, and we use lead-safe practices on every pre-1978 property. We have been serving Burlingame and the surrounding San Francisco area since 2016.

Our services in Burlingame

Wood Rot & Dry Rot Repair in Burlingame · San Francisco's fog belt makes dry rot a fact of life for wood-frame homes. We c…
Termite Damage Repair in Burlingame · After the exterminator leaves, the damaged wood stays. We replace termite-eaten …
Floor Joist & Subfloor Repair in Burlingame · Sagging, bouncy or soft floors in older San Francisco homes usually trace to dam…
Beam Replacement & Load-Bearing Wall Removal in Burlingame · Open-concept conversions and failing beams call for real structural carpentry. W…
Framing & Structural Carpentry in Burlingame · Remodel framing done right: new interior walls, garage and basement build-outs, …
Finish & Trim Carpentry in Burlingame · The details that separate a real finish carpenter from a handyman: tight miters,…
Crown Molding & Baseboard Installation in Burlingame · Crown molding, baseboards, chair rail and window trim installed with the coped j…
Custom Built-Ins & Shelving in Burlingame · Built-in bookshelves, window seats, media walls, closet systems and Murphy beds …
Interior Door Installation & Repair in Burlingame · Doors that stick, swing open on their own, or never latched right, a San Francis…
Exterior & Entry Door Installation in Burlingame · Entry, back and French doors installed weather-tight against fog and wind-driven…
Cabinet & Vanity Installation in Burlingame · Precise installation of kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and laundry storage,…
Stair & Railing Repair in Burlingame · Squeaky treads, loose banisters, worn stringers: we repair and rebuild the stair…
Deck & Porch Repair in Burlingame · Fog and salt air are hard on decks and porches. We replace rotted boards, posts …
Fascia, Soffit & Exterior Trim Repair in Burlingame · Peeling paint and soft fascia boards are the first sign of rot moving in. We rep…

How a Job Works in Burlingame

You call us at (628) 285-5429 or reach out online. We schedule a free on-site assessment, usually within a few days. During that visit, we look at the damage, ask questions about how long you have noticed it, check for water entry points, and explain what we see in plain language. We take photos and measurements, and we give you a written estimate before we start any work.

Once you approve the estimate, we schedule the work. On job day, our team arrives with the tools and materials we need. We protect your floors and landscaping, we work efficiently, and we explain what we are doing as we go. For structural work like beam replacement or load-bearing wall alteration, we coordinate with the Burlingame building department and obtain the required permit. For finish carpentry, trim, and built-in work, we scribe and fit each piece to your home's settled geometry, not to a perfect square that does not exist.

When the work is done, we clean up completely, we walk through with you to show you what we have done, and we answer any questions. We leave your property clean and your wood sound.

Pricing for carpentry work in Burlingame depends on the scope and the condition of the wood. A straightforward wood rot repair in an accessible sill or fascia might run 650 to 1200 dollars. Floor joist or subfloor replacement, which is more involved, typically starts around 1800 dollars. Structural work such as beam replacement or load-bearing wall removal begins at 3500 dollars and may require a structural engineer and a permit, which we can help you navigate. Finish carpentry, trim work, and built-ins range from 450 to 2000 dollars depending on the complexity and materials. The best way to know what your specific job will cost is to have us come out and look at it. Call us at (628) 285-5429 for a free estimate, and we will give you a realistic number based on what we find.

✅ EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm, fully insured for work in Burlingame and nearby areas.

What causes dry rot in Burlingame homes, and how do I know if I have it?

The marine fog and salt air keep exterior wood damp for much of the year, which creates ideal conditions for dry rot fungus. You might notice soft spots in your siding, fascia, or trim when you press on them with a screwdriver, or you might see paint peeling and wood that looks darker or spongy. Water stains on the interior side of exterior walls, or a musty smell in a closet or basement, can also signal rot in the framing behind. The best approach is to have us come look at it. Early rot can often be repaired by cutting out the damaged section and sistering in new wood. Advanced rot might require replacing an entire sill, rim joist, or section of framing. We explain what we find and propose the most honest repair.

I had a pest inspection that found termite damage in my Burlingame home. What happens next?

A pest inspection report tells you where the damage is, but it does not treat the termites or repair the wood. That is two separate jobs. The pest control company handles the termite treatment. We handle the carpentry. Bring us the pest report, and we will assess the damage to your floor joists, sills, studs, or other framing. We will tell you what wood can be repaired by cutting out the damaged section and reinforcing it, and what needs to be replaced entirely. We work from your pest inspection findings and repair or replace the damaged wood. We do not perform pest treatment or make claims about whether the infestation is gone. Call us at (628) 285-5429 to schedule an assessment.

How much does it cost to repair a soft or bouncy floor in Burlingame?

A bouncy or soft floor usually means the subfloor or floor joists underneath have absorbed water or rot. The cost to repair depends on how much wood is damaged and how accessible it is. A localized repair might cost 1800 to 2500 dollars. A more extensive replacement of multiple joists or a large section of subfloor could run 3000 to 5000 dollars or more. The only way to know is to have us come out, look at the floor from underneath if we can access it, and give you a written estimate. Call (628) 285-5429 for a free assessment.

Do I need a permit to repair wood rot or replace a floor joist in Burlingame?

Permit requirements depend on the scope of work and local building department rules. Replacing a single rotted rim joist or subfloor section might not require a permit, but alterations to floor framing, structural repairs, beam replacement, or load-bearing wall work almost always do. The Burlingame building department sets the rules, and requirements can vary. We coordinate with them on your behalf for structural work and help you understand what is needed. For finish carpentry, trim, and non-structural repairs, permits are typically not required. When you call us at (628) 285-5429, we will discuss your specific job and let you know what permits apply.

My HOA has rules about exterior work. Can you help coordinate with them?

Yes. Many Burlingame properties, especially in the established neighborhoods, have HOA guidelines for exterior alterations, trim color, deck design, and other visible work. We have worked with Burlingame HOAs before and understand the approval process. When you hire us, we can help you prepare the information and drawings the HOA needs to review your project. We will also work within the HOA guidelines once they are approved. Let us know about your HOA requirements when you call for your estimate, and we will factor that into our planning.

Are you fully insured and bonded for carpentry work in Burlingame?

Yes. We are fully insured with general liability and workers' compensation coverage. We are also an EPA Lead-Safe Certified Firm, which means we follow the required practices on any pre-1978 property in Burlingame to protect your family and our team from lead exposure. You can work with confidence that the job is covered and the work meets all safety standards.

What should I do to prepare my Burlingame home for winter rains and prevent water damage?

Winter rains expose leaks that have been hidden all summer. Before the heavy rains arrive, walk around your home and look for soft spots in fascia and soffits, gaps in trim where water can get behind the siding, and gutters that are clogged or pulling away from the house. Check your deck for soft spots in the rim joist or stairs, and look at the underside if you can access it. Inside, check closets and the corners of rooms for water stains or musty smells. If you find any of these signs, call us at (628) 285-5429 for an assessment. Small repairs now can prevent major water damage and rot later. We can often schedule work quickly in the fall before the rains hit hardest.