Wood Rot & Dry Rot Repair San Francisco, CA 94110

Carpentry in San Francisco, CA (94110) · Local Professionals

San Francisco Carpentry · Fast response in San Francisco 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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San Francisco's Victorian and Edwardian homes, along with the stucco-over-wood Marina district and mid-century tracts, face a relentless challenge: wood rot and dry rot driven by marine fog, salt air, and permanent dampness. When rot appears in your siding, sills, fascia, or deck frame, it moves fast and costs more the longer it sits.

San Francisco Carpentry has been repairing wood rot, replacing damaged framing, and restoring original millwork across the city since 2016. We're a local carpentry shop, not a franchise. The same crew that walks your property does the work, explains what's actually happening, and prices the job honestly. If your floor has gone soft, your Victorian trim is rotting, or you've found termite damage after a pest inspection, call us at (628) 285-5429 for a free on-site estimate.

Residential Carpentry in San Francisco

San Francisco's building stock is old, settled, and damp. Victorians and Edwardians built on original wood framing, 1920s-40s stucco-over-wood rows with Douglas fir and redwood structure, mid-century Doelger and Westlake tracts, and a large pre-1978 inventory where lead-safe work practices are required. The marine layer keeps exterior wood wet for most of the year. Dry rot in siding, sills, rim joists, and deck frames is not seasonal here. It is structural and year-round.

Our team handles wood rot and termite damage repair, floor joist and subfloor replacement, beam work, load-bearing wall alterations (with permit and engineer), stair and railing repair, and finish carpentry from crown molding to custom built-ins. We've worked in Noe Valley, the Mission, the Richmond, the Sunset, the Marina, Pacific Heights, and throughout San Francisco and the surrounding area. We know the fog, the settlement patterns, the original millwork, and the surprises that come with old houses.

Our services in San Francisco

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

How a Job Works

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, asks questions about water entry and history, and explains what we see in plain language. We take photos, measure, and give you a written estimate before any work begins.

Once you approve, we schedule the work. On job day, we set up the work area, protect your floors and furnishings, and get to it. If the rot is in a load-bearing beam or wall, we discuss whether a structural engineer is needed (common for significant alterations or removals). We work methodically, replace what cannot be saved, repair what can be, and match original details where the house deserves it. In tight lots or older neighborhoods, we manage access carefully and coordinate with neighbors if needed.

When the work is done, we clean up completely, remove debris, and walk through the finished job with you. You'll see what was wrong, what we fixed, and why it matters for the next ten years.

Wood rot repair in San Francisco starts at $650 for small sills or trim damage. Termite damage repair begins at $1,200. Floor joist and subfloor replacement typically runs $1,800 and up, depending on square footage and framing condition. Beam replacement and load-bearing wall work starts at $3,500 and varies widely based on span, load, and permit requirements. Finish carpentry, crown molding, and trim installation range from $450 to $2,500. Cost depends on the extent of damage, the size of the area, material choice, and whether original details need to be matched. Call us at (628) 285-5429 for a free estimate. We'll look at the job, explain what's needed, and give you a straight price.

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

What is dry rot, and why is it so common in San Francisco?

Dry rot is fungal decay in wood that occurs in damp conditions, despite its name. San Francisco's marine fog and salt air keep exterior wood perpetually wet. Siding, sills, fascia, rim joists, and deck frames are especially vulnerable. The fungus breaks down the wood's structure, making it soft, crumbly, and unable to carry load. It spreads from the surface inward and can advance into framing if left unchecked. We catch it, remove the affected wood, and replace it with sound material. Catching it early saves money.

I had a pest inspection and the inspector found termite damage. What do I do next?

Bring us the inspection report. We'll look at the damaged framing, assess how much wood needs to be replaced, and give you a repair estimate. We do not treat or eliminate the infestation. That is a separate licensed pest control service. What we do is replace the wood the termites have eaten, so your structure is sound again. Many homeowners address the pest issue and then call us for the carpentry repair.

My floor feels bouncy and soft in spots. Is this an emergency?

It's worth looking at soon, but not necessarily an emergency. A soft or bouncy floor usually means the subfloor or floor joists have taken on water or rot, or the joists have settled and lost bearing. Call us at (628) 285-5429 for a free inspection. We'll tell you how serious it is, whether it's safe to use the room normally, and what repair costs. Many floors in old San Francisco houses have settled over a century. We can often reinforce or sister joists rather than replace everything.

Do I need a permit to repair wood rot or replace a beam?

It depends on the scope. Minor rot repair in siding or trim usually does not require a permit. Replacing a floor joist, subfloor, or rim joist often does, depending on the size and location. Removing or altering a load-bearing wall or replacing a main beam always requires a permit and typically a structural engineer. Rules vary by district and property type. We recommend checking with the San Francisco Building Department or your neighborhood's planning office before we start. If a permit is needed, we'll help you understand the process and coordinate with inspectors.

How do I handle branches overhanging my property from a neighbor's tree?

In California, you have the right to trim branches that cross your property line, but you must do it carefully and not damage the tree. If the overhang is significant or the tree is large, we recommend a conversation with your neighbor first. If you both agree to trim, we can do it cleanly. If the neighbor is uncooperative and the overhang is serious, check whether your HOA has rules, and consider mediation or a consultation with a local arborist. We're happy to advise on what's reasonable and safe.

Are you fully insured for this work?

Yes. We carry full general liability and workers' compensation insurance. We are also EPA Lead-Safe Certified, which is essential for work on pre-1978 homes in San Francisco. When we work on your property, you're protected.

What's the best time of year to do carpentry work in San Francisco?

Spring and early summer are ideal for deck and exterior work, because the weather is drier and we can manage moisture better during repairs. Winter rains often expose water leaks and drive interior repair demand, so we're busy with interior framing and floor work then too. Wood rot work happens year-round because the fog and damp are constant. If you have rot or damage, the sooner we look at it, the sooner we can stop it from spreading.