Wood Rot & Dry Rot Repair Novato, CA 94947

Carpentry in Novato, CA (94947) · Local Professionals

San Francisco Carpentry · Fast response in Novato 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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Novato's 1960s and 1970s family neighborhoods in Ignacio and San Marin sit at the sunny edge of Marin County, where aging wood decks, fascia boards, and interior doors take a real beating from settlement and time. San Francisco Carpentry has been serving Novato and the surrounding Bay Area since 2016, and we know these homes inside and out.

When a floor starts to bounce, a door sticks in its jamb, or you spot soft wood in your deck frame or exterior trim, that's when homeowners in 94947 call us. We're not a national franchise. The same carpenters who walk your site are the ones who do the work, and we explain what's actually wrong before we quote a price.

Carpentry in Novato (94947)

Novato's residential wood-frame housing stock is mostly mid-century Doelger and Westlake tracts, with some older 1920s and 1930s stucco-over-wood rows mixed in. These homes have settled for decades, which means sloping floors, sticking doors, and out-of-square openings are the normal condition here, not a sign of catastrophe. The marine fog and salt air keep exterior wood damp for much of the year, so rot in siding, sills, fascia, and deck frames is a year-round structural problem, not just a winter issue. Winter rains turn existing leaks into visible water damage and drive interior repair work. Spring is when decks and porches get opened up and rebuilt.

Our team handles wood rot and dry rot repair, termite damage repair, floor joist and subfloor work, beam replacement, structural framing, finish carpentry, trim and casing, crown molding and baseboard installation, custom built-ins, interior and exterior door installation, cabinet and vanity work, stair and railing repair, and deck and porch repair. We've been doing this work in Novato and the San Francisco Bay Area since 2016.

Our services in Novato

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

How a Job Works in Novato

You call us at (628) 285-5429 or reach out online. We schedule a free on-site assessment, usually within a few days. One of our carpenters walks your property, looks at the damage or the area you want repaired, asks questions, and explains what we see. No pressure, no sales pitch. We give you a realistic estimate and a timeline.

Once you're ready, we show up on schedule with our crew and materials. We work methodically, protecting your floors and walls as we go. If it's structural work like a load-bearing wall alteration or a beam replacement, we'll tell you upfront whether the Novato building department requires a permit and a licensed structural engineer. We coordinate with the city as needed. On older homes in 94947 built before 1978, we follow EPA Lead-Safe work practices because lead paint is common in this housing stock.

When the work is done, we clean up thoroughly, walk through with you, and make sure you're satisfied. You're left with solid carpentry and a clean property.

Wood rot repair in Novato typically starts at $650 for small, localized damage in trim or siding. Termite damage repair runs from $1,200 and up, depending on how much framing is affected. Floor joist and subfloor work starts at $1,800. Deck and porch repair runs from $900 to several thousand dollars depending on the extent of rot or structural damage. Beam replacement and load-bearing wall work starts at $3,500 and commonly requires a permit and structural engineer. Finish carpentry like crown molding, baseboard, and trim installation starts at $450 to $550. The real cost drivers are the scope of damage, how much wood needs to be replaced versus repaired, site access, and whether permits are required. We'll give you a firm estimate after we see the job. Call us at (628) 285-5429 for a free on-site assessment.

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

I have soft wood in my deck frame and I'm worried it's going to collapse. What should I do?

Call us for an on-site look. Soft, spongy wood in a deck frame or joist is usually advanced wood rot or termite damage, and it does need attention because it loses structural strength over time. But soft wood doesn't mean your deck is about to fail. We'll assess how much of the framing is affected, explain your options, and give you a realistic price. Often we can sister new joists alongside the damaged ones, or replace the affected section. We work from your own pest inspection report if termites are involved. The cost depends on how much wood we're replacing and how accessible it is.

My front door sticks badly in its jamb, and the frame looks slightly out of square. Is this a big problem?

Not necessarily. Novato homes have settled for fifty years or more, so out-of-square door openings and sticking doors are extremely common in the 94947 neighborhoods. We can often fix a sticky door by scribing and planing the edge, adjusting the hinges, or shimming the jamb. If the jamb itself is damaged or the casing is cracked, we can replace that section. Sometimes a full door replacement is the honest answer. We'll look at it and tell you which makes sense.

What's the typical cost to repair or replace fascia and soffit on a Novato home?

Fascia and soffit repair starts at $700 and depends on how much linear footage is affected, what material we're using (redwood, Douglas fir, or composite), and how accessible it is from the ground or a ladder. If only a section is rotted, we can often cut out and patch it. If the rot is widespread, replacement of the entire fascia run or soffit panel makes more sense. The marine fog and salt air here keep exterior wood damp, so fascia rot is common in Novato. We'll assess it on-site and give you a clear estimate.

Do I need a permit to have my deck repaired or rebuilt in Novato?

It depends on the scope. Minor repairs like replacing a few deck boards or joists may not require a permit, but structural work like replacing rim joists, sistering new joists, or altering the deck frame usually does. Novato's building department sets the thresholds, and requirements vary. When we quote a deck job, we'll tell you whether a permit is likely needed and help you understand the process. If a permit is required, we coordinate with the city and make sure the work meets code. You should verify the specific requirements with the Novato building department or ask us during your free estimate.

There's a large redwood tree on my property in San Marin that's diseased or dead. Can you remove it?

We're a residential carpentry company, not a tree service. We specialize in wood repair, structural carpentry, and finish work on homes. For tree removal, tree trimming, and stump grinding in Novato, you'll want to contact a licensed arborist or tree service. If a tree falls and damages your home's structure, siding, or deck, we can repair that damage. Call us at (628) 285-5429 to discuss any carpentry work your property needs.

We're fully insured, right? What if something goes wrong during the work?

Yes, we are fully insured with general liability and workers' compensation coverage. Our crews are trained to work safely and protect your property. If damage occurs during our work, our insurance covers it. We also follow EPA Lead-Safe work practices on homes built before 1978, which includes homes throughout 94947. If you have questions about our coverage or insurance, ask us when we come out for your free estimate.

I found termite damage in my subfloor after a pest inspection. What's the next step?

Bring us a copy of the pest inspection report. We'll do a free on-site assessment, look at the damaged wood, and explain what repair or replacement makes sense. We repair and replace the wood that termites have damaged. We don't treat the infestation or apply chemicals. That's a separate regulated trade, and your pest control company handles it. Once they've treated the source, we come in and rebuild the subfloor, sistered joists, or sill plate that was eaten away. The cost depends on how much wood is affected and how accessible it is. Call us at (628) 285-5429 to get started.