Wood Rot & Dry Rot Repair San Rafael, CA 94901

Carpentry in San Rafael, CA (94901) · Local Professionals

San Francisco Carpentry · Fast response in San Rafael 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 Rafael's Victorian downtown, Terra Linda Eichlers, and canal-side neighborhoods sit in a marine fog zone where wood stays damp most of the year, and older buildings have settled for a century or more. San Francisco Carpentry handles the carpentry that keeps these homes sound: wood rot repair, structural framing, finish work, and the honest assessment that gets the job done right the first time.

Homeowners in San Rafael (94901) call us because we show up on time, explain what we find without the sales pitch, and our carpenters do the work themselves. When you've got a soft subfloor, rot in the fascia, a sticking door frame, or stairs that need rebuilding, we've been doing this work in San Francisco and surrounding areas since 2016.

Carpentry in San Rafael (94901)

San Rafael's housing stock is the widest mix in Marin: Victorian and Edwardian blocks downtown with original millwork and built-ins, 1920s and 1940s stucco-over-wood rows, mid-century Eichlers in Terra Linda with their clean lines and open framing, and Doelger-era tracts with solid wood-frame construction. Most of this was built before 1978, so lead-safe work practices are standard on our jobs. The marine fog climate keeps exterior wood damp year-round, which means wood rot, dry rot, and moisture damage are permanent concerns here, not seasonal ones. Winter rains turn existing leaks into visible water damage and soft framing. A century of settlement means sloping floors, out-of-square door jambs, and sticking windows are the normal condition in older homes, and we know how to repair them without replacing what doesn't need replacing.

Our team has served San Rafael and the surrounding San Francisco area since 2016. We handle structural carpentry (sistering joists, replacing sill plates and rim joists, beam work), finish carpentry (trim, casing, crown molding, baseboard, wainscoting, custom built-ins), door and stair repair, deck and porch framing, and exterior trim. We work from the customer's own pest inspection report and repair or replace termite-damaged wood. We document damage for insurance claims. We work carefully in tight lots and coordinate with HOAs when required.

Our services in San Rafael

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

How a Job Works in San Rafael

Step 1: You call us at (628) 285-5429 or reach out online. We schedule a free on-site assessment. Our carpenters look at the damage, explain what we see, and walk you through the options: repair, replacement, or a staged approach. We answer questions and give you a written estimate before we start.

Step 2: We show up on the day we promise. The same carpenters who gave the estimate do the work. We bring our own tools, materials, and drop cloths. On structural jobs (load-bearing wall removal, beam replacement, floor joist sistering), we coordinate with the San Rafael Building Department as required, and we defer to a licensed structural engineer on sizing and load-bearing questions. On older homes in Terra Linda or downtown, we work carefully around original millwork and plaster. On tight lots or homes near power lines, we plan access and safety ahead of time.

Step 3: We clean up our debris, sweep the work area, and walk you through the finished job. You see what we did, we answer final questions, and you get an invoice with photos of the work if you need it for insurance or records.

Pricing depends on the scope and what the wood tells us. A small wood rot repair in fascia or trim might start at $650 to $700. Floor joist or subfloor repair typically runs $1,800 and up, depending on how much wood needs replacing and whether the subfloor is accessible. Beam replacement or a load-bearing wall removal (with structural engineer and permit) starts at $3,500 and scales with the opening size and framing complexity. Finish work like crown molding or baseboard installation runs $450 to $550 per room. Custom built-ins, cabinet installation, and stair repair each have their own scope and price. The honest answer is that we price by the job, not by the hour, and we give you a clear estimate before we start. Call us at (628) 285-5429 for a free estimate on your specific work.

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

I have soft spots in my floor near the kitchen sink in my Terra Linda Eichler. Is the subfloor rotted?

Soft or bouncy flooring usually means the subfloor or floor joists are absorbing moisture and losing strength. This happens under or near plumbing leaks, in bathrooms, and in kitchens where water has been sitting for months. We assess the damage on site: we probe the wood, look for rot patterns, and tell you whether the joists are salvageable with targeted repair or whether sections need replacing. On Eichlers, we work carefully around the post-and-beam framing that makes them special. Repair is always our first answer if the wood justifies it.

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

The pest inspector's report tells us where the damage is and how deep it goes. We don't treat the termites (that is a separate pest control trade), but we repair or replace the damaged wood. If the rim joist is partially eaten but structurally sound, we may sister new framing alongside it. If it is too compromised, we replace the section. We work from the inspection report, price the repair honestly, and coordinate with the San Rafael Building Department if a permit is required. Call us at (628) 285-5429 to discuss what you found.

What does wood rot repair cost in San Rafael?

Wood rot repair starts at around $650 for small areas of fascia or trim rot. Larger repairs in siding, sill plates, or structural framing run higher depending on how much wood needs replacing and whether the area is accessible. We give you a free estimate on site so you know the real cost before we start work.

Do I need a permit from the City of San Rafael to repair my deck or replace floor joists?

Permits are commonly required for structural work such as floor joist replacement, beam work, load-bearing wall alteration, and deck framing or repair. Requirements and thresholds vary, so you should check with the San Rafael Building Department before starting. We coordinate with the city on your behalf and handle the permit process as part of the job. On smaller repairs (finish trim, interior doors, non-structural carpentry), permits are usually not needed, but we verify with the city if there is any doubt.

My HOA says I need approval before I repair my deck. How does that work?

Many San Rafael neighborhoods, especially in Terra Linda and the canal areas, have HOA rules about exterior alterations. We coordinate with your HOA on your behalf: we provide drawings or photos, answer their questions about materials and color, and make sure the work meets their standards. This usually adds a week or two to the timeline, but it keeps you compliant and protects your property value. Let us know about HOA requirements when you call, and we will factor them in.

Are you fully insured for carpentry work at my San Rafael home?

Yes. We are fully insured with general liability and workers' compensation. On structural jobs or work that requires a permit, we also work with a licensed structural engineer as needed. We carry EPA Lead-Safe Certification because much of San Rafael's housing stock was built before 1978. You can ask us for proof of insurance when you call.

Winter rains are coming. Should I have my fascia and soffit checked now?

Yes. Winter rains expose existing leaks and weak spots in fascia, soffit, and exterior trim. If water is running behind the fascia or if you see soft wood or paint peeling, that is a sign of rot developing. We recommend a free inspection in fall so you can address problems before the heavy rains. Fascia and soffit repair typically starts at $700 and up. A small repair now saves you from major structural damage later. Call us at (628) 285-5429 to schedule an inspection.