Wood Rot & Dry Rot Repair San Mateo, CA 94402

Carpentry in San Mateo, CA (94402) · Local Professionals

San Francisco Carpentry · Fast response in San Mateo 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 Mateo's mix of 1920s Baywood bungalows, mid-century Doelger tracts, and hillside properties means homeowners here live with settled foundations, original millwork, and aging exterior trim that needs honest repair work, not replacement panic.

San Francisco Carpentry has served San Mateo and the surrounding Bay Area since 2016. When your floor slopes, your doors stick, your wood rot advances into a sill plate, or your deck stairs need rebuilding, we show up with the same crew every time, explain what we find, and propose repair before replacement. We're fully insured and EPA Lead-Safe Certified, because much of San Mateo's housing stock was built before 1978.

Residential Carpentry in San Mateo, 94402

San Mateo's marine fog climate keeps exterior wood damp year-round. The salt air accelerates wood rot in fascia, soffit, siding, and deck framing. Your Baywood bungalow or mid-century home likely has original redwood trim, Douglas fir joists, and stucco-over-wood construction that has settled gradually over a century. That settled condition is normal here, not a defect, but the wood itself needs attention: soft spots in rim joists, rot in window sills, termite damage discovered after a pest inspection, and bouncy or out-of-level floors all point to structural carpentry work that should be looked at promptly.

We repair floor joists and subfloors, replace beams and load-bearing wall headers, fix interior and exterior doors that stick in out-of-square openings, install finish trim and crown molding, build custom shelving and built-ins for growing families, and rebuild deck frames and porch stairs. Our team handles the tight lot access and HOA coordination common in San Mateo neighborhoods. Since 2016, we've worked on Victorian and Edwardian homes, 1920s-40s rows, and mid-century tracts throughout San Mateo and the San Francisco area.

Our services in San Mateo

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

How a Job Works in San Mateo

You call us at (628) 285-5429 or describe the problem online. We schedule a free on-site assessment, usually within a few days. One of our carpenters walks your property, opens walls or decks if needed to see what's actually happening, and explains the pathology: what caused it, what it does over time, and what it costs to fix. We take photos and notes so you have something to share with your insurance company if a claim is involved. We can help document the damage, but we don't promise claim approval. We give you a straightforward estimate with a start date.

When we start work, we set up containment for lead-safe practices if the home was built before 1978. We remove damaged wood, replace or sister joists, rebuild framing, and install new trim or hardware. We work around your schedule and your neighbors' quiet hours. Tight lots in San Mateo mean we often work on foot and haul debris in stages, not dump trucks. If your job needs a permit for structural work, we'll discuss that upfront and help you understand the San Mateo Building Department's requirements.

When we're done, we clean up, haul away debris, and walk through the finished work with you. You see the same carpenters from start to finish, not a rotating crew. That's how we build trust in the neighborhood.

Wood rot repair in San Mateo typically runs from $650 for a localized sill or fascia patch to $2,000 or more if the rot has spread into rim joists or subfloor. Termite damage repair starts at $1,200 and depends on how much framing was affected. Floor joist repair and subfloor replacement start at $1,800. Beam replacement or load-bearing wall work starts at $3,500 and commonly requires a structural engineer and a permit from the San Mateo Building Department. Finish work like crown molding and baseboard installation start at $450, interior doors at $350, and exterior doors at $850. Custom built-ins and shelving start at $1,900. Deck and porch repair starts at $900. The cost of your job depends on the extent of the damage, whether the wood can be repaired or must be replaced, how much framing has to come open, and whether permits are needed. Call us at (628) 285-5429 for a free estimate.

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

My San Mateo home was built in 1925, and I found soft wood in the rim joist under the kitchen. Do I need to replace the whole joist?

Not necessarily. We open the wall, assess how deep the rot goes, and how much of the joist is sound. If rot is limited to the outer inch or two and the joist is still structurally sound, we often cut out the bad wood, treat the exposed surface, and patch it with new wood or epoxy. If rot has progressed into the core of the joist or if the joist is undersized for its span, we sister a new joist alongside it or replace it outright. The San Mateo Building Department may require a permit for structural work, so we'll clarify that with you upfront.

Our deck in San Mateo has been soft in one corner for a year. Can we just patch it, or do we need to rebuild?

Soft deck wood usually means rot in the joists or rim board. We examine the damage, probe the wood, and take photos. If rot is confined to the rim joist or a single joist, we can often replace just that piece. If multiple joists or the ledger board are compromised, the whole frame needs rebuilding. Patching over a rotted joist is a false economy and a safety issue. Call us at (628) 285-5429 to schedule an inspection. Deck repair starts at $900, and structural work may need a San Mateo permit.

What does wood rot repair cost in San Mateo, and what factors affect the price?

Localized rot repair, like a soft sill or fascia patch, starts at $650. Larger jobs like rim joist or subfloor repair start at $1,800. The cost depends on how much wood is damaged, how much framing has to come open to access it, whether the damage is isolated or has spread, and whether the work requires a permit. We give you a free estimate after we see the damage in person. Call (628) 285-5429.

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

Permit requirements depend on the scope of work and the San Mateo Building Department's thresholds. Structural work such as replacing a beam, sistering or replacing floor joists, or altering a load-bearing wall commonly requires a permit. Finish carpentry like trim, doors, and shelving usually does not. We'll discuss permit requirements with you during the estimate and help you understand what the city requires. If a permit is needed, we can help you navigate the process.

Our pest inspector found termite damage in the rim joist. What happens next?

Your pest inspector's report tells us what wood was affected. We don't treat or eliminate termites, that's a separate licensed trade, but we repair or replace the damaged wood. We open the wall, assess how much framing is compromised, and propose repair or replacement. If the damage is extensive, a structural engineer may be needed to size a new beam or determine joist spacing. Termite damage repair starts at $1,200. Bring your pest report when we meet, and call (628) 285-5429 to schedule an inspection.

Is San Francisco Carpentry fully insured and bonded to work in San Mateo?

Yes. We are fully insured with general liability and workers' compensation coverage. We're also EPA Lead-Safe Certified, which matters for San Mateo homes built before 1978. We carry the right insurance and credentials to work safely on your property and protect you if something goes wrong.

Winter rains have exposed water damage in my San Mateo attic and ceiling. Should I wait until spring to repair it?

No. Water damage and the wet wood it leaves behind can lead to rot that spreads quickly in San Mateo's damp marine climate. The longer water sits, the more framing can be affected. We recommend getting an inspection soon so we can see how much wood is compromised and what's salvageable. If the leak is still active, your roofer or plumber should fix that first, then we come in to repair or replace the damaged framing and trim. Call (628) 285-5429 to schedule an inspection.