Wood Rot & Dry Rot Repair Seattle, WA 98104

Carpentry in Seattle, WA (98104) · Local Professionals

Seattle Carpentry · Fast response in Seattle and the Seattle area · Free estimate 24h

✅ Fully Insured 🛡️ Fully Insured 💸 Free Quote 24h 🕐 Mon-Sun 7am-7pm

+14Verified Reviews

10Years in Business

4.9 ★Google Rating

24/7Available

Seattle's craftsman bungalows, Queen Anne mansions, and Ballard cottages are beautiful, and they're fighting moisture year-round. The Puget Sound climate means relentless drizzle, not heavy downpours, but that persistence is what rots wood. We've been repairing the structural and finish carpentry that rain damages since 2016.

Seattle homeowners call Seattle Carpentry when wood rot appears in a deck frame, when a floor feels soft underfoot, or when a sill plate or rim joist needs replacement. We work across Seattle and the surrounding areas, fully insured, and we explain the damage plainly rather than oversell the fix.

Carpentry in Seattle (98104)

Seattle's housing stock tells the story: early-1900s craftsman bungalows in nearly every neighborhood, grand Victorian mansions on Queen Anne Hill, Scandinavian cottages in Ballard, rowhouses and brick apartments in Capitol Hill and First Hill, floating houseboats on Lake Union, and newer stucco and fiber-cement homes in the outer neighborhoods and Eastside suburbs. The terrain is hilly, lot sizes vary wildly, and access to some properties means working around tight spaces, mature trees, and neighbors close by.

But the real challenge is the climate. Seattle doesn't freeze hard enough to cause freeze-thaw damage. Instead, water sits against wood year-round. Mild temperatures mean that moisture-softened wood never fully dries. Douglas fir siding, cedar trim, and maple framing all soften and rot under that constant exposure. Carpenter ants thrive in the damp wood. Moss and algae coat siding, roofs, and decks. Fascia, soffit, and deck frames fail not from one bad winter but from decades of persistent moisture.

We've served Seattle and the surrounding areas since 2016. Our team handles wood rot and dry rot repair, structural carpentry like floor joist and beam replacement, finish and trim work, deck and porch repair, and the full range of residential carpentry that keeps these homes sound.

Our services in Seattle

Wood Rot & Dry Rot Repair in Seattle · Seattle's near-constant drizzle keeps moisture against siding…
Termite Damage Repair in Seattle · Termites are uncommon in Seattle's cool, wet climate…
Floor Joist & Subfloor Repair in Seattle · Sagging, bouncy or soft floors in Seattle's older homes usually trace to…
Beam Replacement & Load-Bearing Wall Removal in Seattle · Open-concept conversions and failing beams call for real structural carpentry.
Framing & Structural Carpentry in Seattle · Remodel framing done right: new interior walls, garage and basement build-outs…
Finish & Trim Carpentry in Seattle · The details that separate a real finish carpenter from a handyman…
Crown Molding & Baseboard Installation in Seattle · Crown molding, baseboards, chair rail and window trim…
Custom Built-Ins & Shelving in Seattle · Built-in bookshelves, window seats, media walls…
Interior Door Installation & Repair in Seattle · Doors that stick, swing open on their own…
Exterior & Entry Door Installation in Seattle · Entry, back and French doors, installed weather-tight against Seattle's…
Cabinet & Vanity Installation in Seattle · Precise installation of kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and laundry storage.
Stair & Railing Repair in Seattle · Squeaky treads, loose banisters and worn stringers…
Deck & Porch Repair in Seattle · Nothing tests a deck like year-round Seattle drizzle, moss…
Fascia, Soffit & Exterior Trim Repair in Seattle · Soft, moss-covered fascia boards are the classic Seattle warning sign of…

How a Job Works in Seattle

We start with a free on-site assessment. You describe what you've noticed (soft spots in a floor, staining on siding, a sagging deck, or damage found during a pest inspection), and we walk the job, take measurements, and explain what we see. We ask about the history of the property, any prior repairs, and whether a contractor or inspector has already looked at it. No pressure, no estimate until we understand the scope.

Once we've agreed on the work, we schedule around your calendar and the Seattle building department's permit timeline if one is required. For structural work like beam replacement, floor joist sistering, or load-bearing wall removal, permits are common, and we'll coordinate with the city. For finish work like trim, doors, or built-ins, permits are usually not needed, but we always verify. We show up on time, set up containment if we're working inside, and keep the site organized.

When the work is done, we walk through with you, point out what we've repaired or replaced, answer your questions, and clean up thoroughly. You'll know exactly what was done and why.

Pricing depends on the scope, the condition of the wood, access, and whether permits are involved. Wood rot repair in a small section of fascia or siding might start at $650; a full deck frame replacement could run $900 to $2,500 or more depending on size and lumber grade. Floor joist repair typically starts at $1,800 for a localized section; beam replacement or load-bearing wall work usually begins at $3,500 and scales with structural complexity and permit requirements. Finish carpentry like crown molding or baseboard installation starts at $450 to $550; custom built-ins or cabinet work starts at $1,100 to $1,900. Interior door installation is often $350 to $550; exterior doors run $850 and up. The best way to get a realistic number for your property is a free on-site look. Call us at (425) 671-4050 and we'll schedule a time to visit.

✅ Fully Insured, fully insured for work in Seattle and nearby areas.

I have wood rot in my deck frame. Do I need a permit to repair it?

Deck repair usually doesn't require a permit if you're replacing damaged wood in place with the same framing size and material. However, if the rot is extensive and you're upgrading the deck or altering its footprint, a permit may be required. Check with the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) to be certain, since rules can change and thresholds vary. We can help you understand what the city will likely ask for once we've assessed the damage.

My floor is soft and bouncy in one room. What does that mean?

A soft or bouncy floor usually means the floor joists or subfloor underneath have weakened from moisture or rot. This is common in Seattle homes, especially older ones, because water can sit against rim joists and sill plates for years. We'll come look at it, check for rot with a moisture meter and a probe, and determine whether the joists need sistering (reinforcing with new lumber alongside the existing framing) or full replacement. Sometimes it's just a localized soft spot; sometimes the problem is wider. Either way, we'll show you what we find and give you an honest repair estimate.

What's the typical cost to repair wood rot in siding?

A small section of rotted siding, maybe 2 to 4 feet of a wall, often runs $650 to $1,200, depending on the wood type and whether we need to match existing trim or casing. Larger sections cost more. If rot has spread into the rim joist or sill plate behind the siding, the repair gets bigger and more expensive. We assess the full depth of the damage on site and give you a clear estimate before we start work.

Do I need a permit to remove a load-bearing wall or replace a beam?

Yes. Removing or altering a load-bearing wall, and replacing or sistering a main beam, always requires a permit from the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections. These jobs typically also require a licensed structural engineer to size the new beam or header and ensure the load path is correct. We do the carpentry work; the engineer provides the calculations and drawings that the city requires. Check with SDCI about their specific requirements, since thresholds and processes can vary.

My building is part of an HOA in Seattle. Do I need approval before you start work?

Many Seattle condos, townhomes, and planned communities have HOA rules about exterior work, and some require approval for interior alterations too. Check your CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) and contact your HOA board before we schedule work. If the job is visible from the street, deck repair, fascia replacement, exterior trim, the HOA will likely want to review it. Interior work like door installation or finish carpentry is usually less regulated, but it's worth confirming. We're happy to coordinate with your HOA once you've given us the green light.

Are you fully insured?

Yes. We carry general liability and workers' compensation insurance for all work we do in Seattle and the surrounding areas. When you hire us, your property and our crew are protected. We can also help you document any damage for an insurance claim if you're filing one, though we can't guarantee that your insurer will approve the claim or cover the full cost of repairs.

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

Late spring through early fall (May through September) is ideal because the weather is drier and more predictable. However, we work year-round. Winter and early spring are wetter, which can slow drying times for stain or finish, but structural repairs and framing work happen regardless. If you've found rot or damage, we don't recommend waiting for summer; the longer wood sits wet, the more it deteriorates. Call us at (425) 671-4050 to schedule an assessment whenever you notice a problem.