Wood Rot & Dry Rot Repair Madison, WI 53703

Carpentry in Madison, WI (53703) · Local Professionals

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

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Madison's Queen Anne Victorians, Prairie bungalows and mid-century ranches take a yearly beating from freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow load and damp spring melt off the lakes. Wood rot, soft floor joists and failing porch frames are not emergencies, but they do need honest repair work from someone who knows this city's building stock and its climate.

Madison Carpentry has spent years repairing the wood damage that comes with living on the isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. We handle wood rot and dry rot in sills and fascia, termite damage discovered after a pest inspection, soft or bouncy floors, failing deck ledgers and porch posts, and all the finish carpentry and trim work that keeps your home tight and looking right. We're fully insured, and we work throughout Madison and the surrounding areas.

Carpentry in Madison (53703)

Madison's neighborhoods tell the story of the work we do. The isthmus is packed with 1880s and 1920s Queen Annes, foursquares and narrow worker cottages in Mansion Hill, Tenney-Lapham, Marquette and Schenk-Atwood. Vilas, Dudgeon-Monroe, Regent and University Heights are full of Craftsman and Prairie School bungalows with deep eaves and original wood clapboard. West of the city, Westmorland, Midvale Heights, Hill Farms and Nakoma hold Cape Cods and brick-and-wood ranches from the 1940s through 1960s. All of these homes sit on fieldstone, limestone or poured basements, and all of them face the same enemy: water and freeze-thaw.

Long cold winters with heavy snow load on porch roofs, ice dams that back meltwater into fascia and soffits, humid lake-country summers and spring snowmelt that soaks porch posts, deck ledgers and stair stringers create ideal conditions for wood rot. Sill plates and rim joists right at the damp line soften first. Carpenter ants follow that moisture into window frames and trim. Older homes with original wood storm windows and exterior trim take the most abuse. We know these houses and these conditions. We've sistered floor joists, replaced rotted rim joists and sill plates, repaired and rebuilt porch frames, and installed new fascia, soffit and exterior trim across the city and the surrounding Madison area.

Our services in Madison

Wood Rot & Dry Rot Repair in Madison · Madison's ice dams, spring snowmelt and humid lake-country summers keep…
Termite Damage Repair in Madison · Subterranean termites are uncommon this far north…
Floor Joist & Subfloor Repair in Madison · Sagging, bouncy or soft floors in Madison's older homes usually trace to joists…
Beam Replacement & Load-Bearing Wall Removal in Madison · Open-concept conversions and failing beams call for real structural carpentry.
Framing & Structural Carpentry in Madison · Remodel framing done right: new interior walls, basement and attic build-outs…
Finish & Trim Carpentry in Madison · The details that separate a real finish carpenter from a handyman…
Crown Molding & Baseboard Installation in Madison · Crown molding, baseboards, chair rail and window trim installed with the coped…
Custom Built-Ins & Shelving in Madison · Built-in bookshelves, window seats, media walls…
Interior Door Installation & Repair in Madison · Doors that stick, swing open on their own, or never latched right…
Exterior & Entry Door Installation in Madison · Entry, back and French doors installed weather-tight against Wisconsin winters…
Cabinet & Vanity Installation in Madison · Precise installation of kitchen cabinets…
Stair & Railing Repair in Madison · Squeaky treads, loose banisters, worn stringers…
Deck & Porch Repair in Madison · Snow load, freeze-thaw and spring meltwater are hard on Madison decks and the…
Fascia, Soffit & Exterior Trim Repair in Madison · Peeling paint and soft fascia boards are the first sign of ice-dam meltwater or…

How a Job Works in Madison

We start with a free on-site assessment. You describe what you've noticed, we look at the wood in question, probe for soft spots, check drainage and grade around the foundation, and explain what we find. If it's wood rot in a fascia or a porch post, we'll show you the extent and talk about repair versus replacement. If a floor is bouncy or out of level, we'll get under the house and look at the joists and subfloor. We listen to your timeline and budget and give you a straightforward estimate.

The work itself depends on what we find. A wood rot repair in a sill or fascia might take a day or two. A floor joist repair or deck ledger replacement takes longer and often requires a permit from the City of Madison building department. Tight lot access on the isthmus or a steep grade can slow things down, but we plan for that. We work clean, protect your floors and landscaping, and remove debris daily.

When the work is done, we walk through with you, answer your questions and make sure you're satisfied. Your property is left clean and ready to use.

Pricing depends on the scope and condition of the wood. A wood rot repair in a small section of fascia or trim starts at $650. A full porch post or deck ledger replacement runs $900 to $1,500 depending on size and access. Floor joist and subfloor repairs start at $1,800 and can go higher if the damage is widespread or the crawlspace is tight. Structural work like beam replacement or load-bearing wall removal starts at $3,500 and requires a permit and often a structural engineer's input. Finish carpentry and trim work, including crown molding, baseboard and door installation, ranges from $350 to $1,900 depending on complexity and materials. The best way to know what your job will cost is to call us for a free estimate at (608) 471-7359. We'll look at the work in person, explain what we find and give you a realistic price.

What does wood rot look like, and how do I know if my porch or deck needs repair?

Wood rot starts as soft, discolored wood, often darker than the surrounding sound wood. Press a screwdriver or awl into the wood, and rotted wood will give easily, while sound wood resists. On a porch post or deck ledger, look for soft spots, paint peeling or checking, or wood that feels spongy when you step on it. Spring is the worst time on Madison properties because meltwater soaks the base of porch posts and deck ledgers all season. If you see soft wood, have it looked at. Small repairs catch the problem before it spreads to the framing underneath.

A pest inspection found termite damage in my floor framing. What happens next?

First, the pest inspector's report tells us exactly where the damage is and how extensive it is. We do not treat termites or pests, but we repair and replace the wood they've damaged. Depending on the report, we may sister new floor joists alongside damaged ones, replace a section of subfloor, or replace an entire joist if it's too far gone. We work from your inspector's findings and price the repair honestly. Call us at (608) 471-7359 with the inspection report and we'll give you an estimate.

My floor is bouncy and feels out of level. Is this dangerous, and how much will it cost to fix?

A bouncy floor usually means the floor joists are undersized for the span, or the subfloor has gone soft from moisture. It's not dangerous in the sense of imminent collapse, but it does get worse over time and it's uncomfortable to live with. Repair depends on what we find. If the joists are sound but undersized, we sister new joists alongside them. If the subfloor is soft, we replace it. If the joists themselves are rotted or crushed, we replace those joists. A floor joist and subfloor repair starts at $1,800. We'll look at it for free and give you an exact price.

Do I need a permit for the carpentry work on my Madison home?

Permits are commonly required for structural work such as removing or altering a load-bearing wall, replacing beams or floor joists, and altering stairs or exterior decks. Requirements and thresholds vary by location. Check with the City of Madison building department on the City of Madison website for the specific rules that apply to your address and the work you're planning. We coordinate with the building department and can help you understand what's needed, but the permit itself is your responsibility to verify and obtain.

I live in a historic neighborhood like Mansion Hill. Are there restrictions on the carpentry work I can do?

Some Madison neighborhoods have historic district or architectural review guidelines that affect exterior work like trim, siding, doors and windows. If your home is in a historic district, check with the City of Madison or your neighborhood association before starting work. We're familiar with historic homes and can work within those guidelines. Call us at (608) 471-7359 to discuss your specific project.

Are you insured for work at my Madison property?

Yes, we are fully insured with general liability and workers' compensation coverage. We can help you document any damage for an insurance claim, but we do not make promises about claim approval or coverage. That's between you and your insurance company.

What can I do right now to prevent wood rot on my porch and deck in Madison?

Keep gutters and downspouts clear so water drains away from the foundation and porch posts. Check porch posts, deck ledgers and fascia in spring when meltwater is flowing. Paint and caulk exterior wood every few years to keep water out. Make sure grading slopes away from your house so standing water doesn't collect around the foundation. If you see soft wood or paint peeling, have it looked at promptly. Small repairs now prevent big ones later.