Wood Repair & Restoration Pricing: Carpenter Cost Guide
Wood repair and restoration costs $50-$150 per hour for skilled carpentry labor. Rot repair runs $200-$800 per area depending on extent, structural repairs cost $500-$2,500, and trim replacement is $4-$12 per linear foot. Wood epoxy consolidation costs $100-$400 per repair area. Full historic window restoration runs $300-$800 per window.
Wood repair and restoration is a high-value niche for carpenters with the patience and skill for precision work. Every aging home has rotting trim, damaged siding, deteriorating window sills, or structural wood issues — and homeowners will pay premium rates for a carpenter who can fix these problems properly rather than slapping on a patch. This guide covers pricing for every type of wood repair service.
Wood Rot Repair Pricing
Wood rot is the most common repair request. Minor surface rot that has not penetrated beyond 1/4 inch can be consolidated with epoxy penetrant ($15-$30 per repair area) and filled with two-part wood epoxy filler ($20-$40 per pint). Labor for a minor repair takes 1-2 hours at $50-$100 per hour. Moderate rot requiring partial wood replacement costs $200-$600 per area: cut out the damaged section, sister or scarf in new wood, blend with epoxy, and prime. A rotted window sill replacement costs $150-$400 per window. Rotted door jamb bases cost $100-$300 per jamb. Rotted fascia board replacement runs $6-$12 per linear foot including material and labor. Severe structural rot (floor joists, rim boards, sill plates) requires sister joists or full member replacement at $300-$1,500 per repair area. Always probe beyond the visible damage — rot typically extends further than it appears. Use an awl or screwdriver to test surrounding wood and quote the full extent of the repair.
Structural Wood Repair Costs
Structural repairs demand careful assessment and often engineering input. Damaged floor joists can be sistered (bolting a new joist alongside the damaged one) at $100-$300 per joist — materials include a matching joist, structural screws or bolts, and construction adhesive. Sagging beam repair or replacement costs $500-$2,500 depending on access and beam size. Temporary shoring is required ($200-$500 in equipment rental and setup) before any structural member is removed or repaired. Sill plate replacement (the bottom plate that sits on the foundation) costs $30-$60 per linear foot, but access often requires removing siding, sheathing, or interior finishes, adding $500-$2,000 to the project. Load-bearing wall repairs involving damaged studs or headers cost $300-$800 per area. Always recommend a structural engineer for significant structural repairs — their assessment ($200-$500) protects both you and the homeowner, and most insurance claims require engineer documentation.
Exterior Trim Replacement Pricing
Exterior trim replacement combines carpentry skill with weatherproofing expertise. Fascia board replacement costs $6-$12 per linear foot for material and labor — 1x6 or 1x8 primed boards at $1.50-$4.00 per linear foot plus labor to remove the old fascia, check the rafter tails for rot, install new fascia, and caulk and prime. Soffit replacement runs $6-$14 per sq ft depending on whether you use plywood, aluminum, or vinyl. Rake board replacement costs $8-$15 per linear foot. Window and door exterior casing replacement runs $100-$250 per opening. Corner board replacement costs $8-$15 per linear foot. When replacing exterior trim, always inspect the underlying sheathing and framing for water damage — the trim rot was caused by water intrusion, and that source must be identified and corrected or the new trim will rot too. Include priming all six sides of exterior trim before installation (factory-primed boards still need end-cuts sealed). Charge $1-$2 per linear foot for back-priming.
Wood Epoxy Consolidation and Restoration
Wood epoxy restoration is an alternative to full replacement that preserves original material — especially valuable for historic properties. The process involves removing loose, punky wood, saturating the remaining wood with liquid epoxy consolidant ($25-$45 per pint, covers 20-40 sq ft depending on porosity), then rebuilding the missing profile with two-part wood epoxy filler ($30-$50 per quart). Epoxy filler can be shaped, sanded, drilled, and painted just like wood. Labor for epoxy restoration runs $60-$100 per hour because the work is slow and detail-oriented. A typical window sill restoration takes 2-4 hours per sill. A decorative bracket or capital restoration takes 3-6 hours. Column base restoration runs 2-5 hours per column. Epoxy restoration costs 30-50% less than full replacement for complex profiles and moldings that would require custom milling to duplicate. Position this service as preservation rather than repair — homeowners with historic or character homes will pay premium rates to maintain original details.
Historic Window and Door Restoration
Historic window restoration is a specialized niche commanding $300-$800 per window. The process includes removing the sash, stripping paint, repairing or replacing muntins and glazing, consolidating any rot with epoxy, regalzing with proper glazing compound, weatherstripping, and reinstalling. Single-pane historic windows can be upgraded with interior storm windows ($150-$300 per window) for energy efficiency while preserving the original appearance. Historic door restoration costs $400-$1,200 per door for stripping, repair, hardware restoration, and refinishing. This work is particularly profitable in historic districts where replacement with modern products violates preservation ordinances. Many states offer tax credits for historic preservation work — 20% federal credit for certified historic structures and state credits ranging from 10-25%. Help your clients identify these incentives as part of your service — it justifies higher project budgets and positions you as a knowledgeable specialist.
Marketing and Selling Repair Services
Wood repair work differs from new construction in how you sell it. Repair clients are often responding to a problem (rot discovered, inspection finding, storm damage) rather than planning a project. Respond quickly to inquiries — repair needs feel urgent to homeowners. During the site visit, inspect thoroughly and document everything with photos. Present your findings clearly: show the homeowner the damage, explain why it happened, and describe your repair approach. Price repair work by the project, not by the hour, even though you calculate internally using hourly rates. Project pricing gives clients cost certainty and prevents them from watching the clock. For insurance-related repairs (storm damage, fallen trees), document the damage thoroughly with photos and written descriptions. Many homeowners will submit insurance claims, and your documentation supports their case. Be prepared to provide detailed estimates that insurance adjusters can review. Build a reputation for quality repair work and you will receive consistent referrals from home inspectors, realtors, and insurance adjusters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wood rot repair costs vary by extent: minor surface rot with epoxy consolidation runs $100-$300 per area, moderate rot requiring partial wood replacement costs $200-$600, and structural rot repair costs $500-$2,500. Window sill rot repair runs $150-$400 per window. Fascia replacement costs $6-$12 per linear foot. Always probe beyond visible damage to assess the full extent.
Create Professional Estimates in Minutes
Stop spending hours on estimates. QuotrPro uses AI to help carpenters create accurate, professional proposals that win more jobs.
Try Free for 3 DaysNo credit card required · 30-day money-back guarantee
Related Articles
How to Estimate Carpentry Jobs: Complete Pricing Guide
Learn how to estimate carpentry jobs accurately. Covers lumber markup, labor rates, overhead, and profit margins for residential and commercial carpentry work.
Carpentry Bid Proposal Guide: Win More Jobs
Learn how to write winning carpentry bid proposals. Covers scope of work, material breakdowns, payment terms, and presentation tips that close more jobs.
Exterior Siding Repair Pricing: Carpenter Cost Guide
Complete guide to exterior siding repair costs. Covers wood clapboard, cedar shingle, LP SmartSide, fiber cement, and vinyl siding repair pricing for carpenters.
Trim & Molding Installation Pricing: Carpenter Cost Guide
Complete pricing guide for trim and molding installation. Covers baseboard, door casing, chair rail, and crown molding costs with labor rates for carpenters.
Window Framing & Installation Cost: Carpenter Pricing Guide
Complete guide to window framing and installation costs. Covers new construction, replacement, and retrofit windows with labor rates and material breakdowns.
More Carpenters Estimating Guides
No credit card required