Wood Rot & Dry Rot Repair Cambridge, MA 2138

Carpentry in Cambridge, MA (2138) · Local Professionals

Boston Carpentry · Fast response in Cambridge and the Boston 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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Cambridge homeowners live with some of the oldest residential wood-frame buildings in America, many built before the Civil War, and the freeze-thaw cycles, salt air, and nor'easters of New England take a steady toll on sills, joists, fascia, and trim.

We are Boston Carpentry, based in Boston and serving Cambridge and the surrounding area since 2016. We repair wood rot, termite damage, structural framing, and finish carpentry in the historic homes, university-area townhouses, and classic triple-deckers across Cambridge 2138. When you find soft wood, a bouncy floor, or damage after a pest inspection, call us at (857) 353-6607 for a straightforward on-site look and an honest estimate.

Carpentry in Cambridge (2138)

Cambridge's housing stock spans centuries. You have colonial-era wood-frame homes near the Charles River, Federal-period townhouses on residential streets near Harvard Square and the university, and solid brick rowhouses built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many properties sit on tight lots with limited access, shared walls, and dense neighborhood layouts that call for careful planning and precision work. The freeze-thaw cycles of a New England winter, combined with coastal moisture and humidity, create ideal conditions for wood rot to advance in sills, rim joists, fascia, and deck framing. Termite pressure is real here, and original framing timbers that have stood for 150 years or more can fail quickly once moisture and insects take hold.

Our team has been working through these conditions across Boston and Cambridge for over eight years. We know how to assess what can be repaired, what needs replacement, and how to work around the constraints of a dense urban neighborhood, tight HOA rules, and the need to keep your property secure and livable during the job.

Our services in Cambridge

Wood Rot & Dry Rot Repair in Cambridge · Coastal moisture and hard winters make wood rot a fact of life in Boston.
Termite Damage Repair in Cambridge · Boston's humid summers bring real termite pressure to the region's older homes.
Floor Joist & Subfloor Repair in Cambridge · Sagging, bouncy or soft floors are common in Boston's older housing stock.
Beam Replacement & Load-Bearing Wall Removal in Cambridge · Open-concept conversions and failing beams call for real structural carpentry.
Framing & Structural Carpentry in Cambridge · Remodel framing done right, straight and plumb in century-old Boston homes.
Finish & Trim Carpentry in Cambridge · The details that separate a real finish carpenter from a handyman.
Crown Molding & Baseboard Installation in Cambridge · Crown molding and baseboards fitted to the period rooms of Boston homes.
Custom Built-Ins & Shelving in Cambridge · Built-ins designed for Boston's triple-deckers and Victorian rowhouses.
Interior Door Installation & Repair in Cambridge · Doors that stick or never latched right are common in old Boston homes.
Exterior & Entry Door Installation in Cambridge · Entry, back and French doors installed weather-tight against nor'easters.
Cabinet & Vanity Installation in Cambridge · Kitchen cabinets and vanities set level on Boston's out-of-level floors.
Stair & Railing Repair in Cambridge · Squeaky treads and loose banisters on stairs that are climbed every day.
Deck & Porch Repair in Cambridge · Nor'easters, snow load and coastal humidity are hard on Boston decks.
Fascia, Soffit & Exterior Trim Repair in Cambridge · Peeling paint and soft fascia are the first sign of ice-dam moisture.

How a Job Works in Cambridge

We start with a free on-site assessment. You describe what you have noticed, we examine the wood in question, and we explain what we see. If you have a pest inspection report, bring it along. We will take photos, measure, and give you a clear written estimate before any work begins. There are no surprises.

Once you approve the estimate, we schedule the work. For structural repairs like floor joist or beam work, you may need a permit from the Cambridge Building Department (we can advise you to check with them directly on thresholds and requirements). We coordinate access carefully in Cambridge's tight neighborhoods, protect your property and your neighbors' during the job, and work to minimize disruption. We bring our own materials and tools, and we leave your site clean at the end of each day.

When the work is done, we walk through with you, answer your questions, and make sure you are satisfied. If the job touched the building envelope or structural framing, we can help you document the work for your records or for an insurance claim if one is relevant.

Pricing in Cambridge depends on the scope, access, and condition of the wood. Wood rot repair in siding or trim typically runs from $650 to $1,500 for a localized area. A soft or bouncy subfloor, or damage to a floor joist, usually costs $1,800 and up, depending on how much wood needs replacement and how accessible the framing is. Termite damage repair starts at $1,200. Finish carpentry, trim, crown molding, and baseboard installation run from $450 to $1,100 per room or project, depending on the scope and detail. Custom built-ins and shelving start at $1,900. Exterior work like fascia, soffit, or deck repair typically begins at $700 to $900. Call us at (857) 353-6607 for a free estimate on your specific job. We will give you a realistic number based on what we see.

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

I found soft wood in my sill plate after a pest inspection. Do I need to replace the whole sill, or can you repair it?

It depends on how much of the sill is affected and how deep the rot runs. If the damage is localized to one section and the structural wood beneath is sound, we can cut out the bad wood, sister in new framing, and restore the damaged area. If the sill is compromised along a long span or the rim joist is involved, replacement is the honest answer. We assess it on site and explain your options. Many Cambridge homes have original sills that are repairable if caught early.

My floor feels bouncy and slightly out of level in one room. What could that be, and is it an emergency?

A soft or bouncy floor usually means the subfloor or floor joists underneath have absorbed moisture and begun to fail. This is not an emergency that will happen overnight, but it is worth having us look at it promptly. We can identify which joists or subflooring are affected, explain what caused the moisture (often a plumbing leak or foundation seepage), and propose a repair. Floor joist repair typically starts at $1,800 depending on the span and how much wood needs replacement. Call us at (857) 353-6607 to schedule an assessment.

What does finish carpentry cost in Cambridge, and what does it include?

Finish carpentry covers trim, casing, crown molding, baseboard, and interior door installation. In Cambridge, a typical room with new baseboard and door casing runs $450 to $1,100 depending on the perimeter, the detail of the molding, and whether you are matching historic profiles or installing new work. Crown molding and baseboard installation alone often starts at $450. Custom built-ins and shelving begin at $1,900. We can discuss your project in detail at (857) 353-6607 and provide a written estimate.

Do I need a permit for structural carpentry work in Cambridge?

Permits are commonly required for structural work such as replacing floor joists, replacing or sistering beams, removing or altering a load-bearing wall, and work on stairs or exterior decks. Requirements and thresholds vary by municipality. Contact the Cambridge Building Department directly to confirm what applies to your project before we begin. We can advise you on the scope of work and what to ask them about, but the building department sets the rules for your property.

My building has an HOA. Will your work require HOA approval in Cambridge?

Many Cambridge properties, especially in converted townhouses and condominium buildings, have HOA rules about exterior alterations, deck work, and visible modifications. Interior finish carpentry and repairs usually do not require approval, but exterior work often does. We recommend checking your HOA documents or contacting your board before we start. If approval is needed, we can provide detailed scope and photos to support your request. We work with HOA rules regularly in Cambridge and understand the coordination involved.

Are you fully insured for work at my Cambridge home?

Yes. We carry full general liability and workers' compensation insurance. Our team is fully insured on every job. If your work qualifies for an insurance claim, we can help you document the damage and the repairs for your records. We cannot promise that a claim will be approved or predict coverage, but we will provide clear documentation of what we found and what we repaired.

What is the best time of year to schedule carpentry work in Cambridge?

Spring through fall is ideal for exterior work like fascia, soffit, deck repair, and siding work, since we need dry conditions and good access. Interior work like finish carpentry, built-ins, and structural repairs can happen year-round. Winter nor'easters and heavy snow can delay exterior projects, so if you discover damage in the fall or winter, we recommend scheduling the repair for spring if it is not urgent. If you have active water intrusion or a structural concern, we can often work around weather to get it sealed and stabilized. Call us at (857) 353-6607 to discuss timing for your job.