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Carpentry and outdoor repairsCarpentry and Deck Repair in Rochester, NY
Our handyman handles trim, porch steps, rotted boards, small deck repairs and minor siding repairs in Rochester. Water causes most of this damage. We find the wet spot, fix the wood, and tell you when the job needs a contractor or a permit.
- Trim, steps and decks
- Minor siding repairs
- Written quote first
Wood repairs we do
Trim and baseboards
Cracked, loose or missing pieces, inside and out.
Porch steps and railings
Loose treads, wobbly rails and worn boards.
Rotted boards and sills
Cut out the bad wood and replace it.
Deck boards
Soft, split or loose boards and loose fasteners.
Siding pieces
Replace or secure a cracked or loose piece and seal gaps.
Gates and small outdoor wood repairs
Hinges, latches and boards that have come loose.
Carpentry problems, causes and fixes
| What you see | Likely cause | What we do | Call someone else when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft or spongy wood | Rot from trapped water | Cut out and replace the bad section | The rot reaches the structure |
| Wobbly deck rail or step | Loose fasteners or weak posts | Tighten or replace the parts | Posts or footings move |
| Deck pulling from the house | A failing ledger board | We inspect and tell you what we see | A contractor must repair the ledger |
| Cracked or loose siding piece | Impact or weather | Replace or secure the piece and seal gaps | A whole wall needs new siding |
For deck repair, decay fungi only attack wet wood, says a Virginia Tech guide. It lists the usual hot spots as fasteners, joints, end grain and wood that touches the soil. Its pick test is simple: sound wood splinters, while decayed wood breaks off short across the grain. Rochester gets about 102 inches of snow a year, per Current Results, and snow, thaw and freeze keep wood wet. Wood stays wet longest where the deck meets the house. The American Wood Council deck guide requires flashing at the ledger board, which is the board that ties the deck to the house.
How a carpentry visit works
- Tell usSay what is damaged and where. Photos help.
- CheckWe probe the wood and trace the water that caused it.
- RepairWe cut out the damage and fit new wood and fasteners.
- FinishWe seal, prime or paint the repair and clean up.
Do you need a permit for a deck or porch in Rochester?
For deck repair, the City of Rochester requires a building permit for a deck 18 inches or more above the ground. A deck lower than that needs a $50 Certificate of Zoning Compliance. Decks are not allowed in the front yard. New or replacement porches need a building permit too, and enclosing an open front porch that faces the street is not allowed, except with insect screening. The city documents do not say whether repair only work needs a permit. Call the Bureau of Zoning and Permitting at 585.428.6526 before you start.
For any job over $500, New York requires a written contract, per the Attorney General. We give a written quote for every job. We do not build new decks, replace whole walls of siding or repair ledger boards. Those are contractor jobs.
Siding repair in Rochester, NY
Freeze, thaw and lake effect weather put siding under stress. We replace or secure cracked and loose pieces, fix trim around windows and doors, and seal small gaps so water stays out. If a whole wall of siding is failing, that is a job for a siding contractor, and we tell you so.
Carpentry and deck questions
Does a deck repair need a permit in Rochester?
A building permit is required for decks 18 inches or more above the ground. The city documents do not cover repair only work, so call 585.428.6526 to ask.
How do I know if deck wood is rotten?
Poke it with a screwdriver. Sound wood splinters, and decayed wood breaks off short. Rot hides near fasteners, joints and end grain.
Can you repair siding?
We replace or secure damaged pieces and seal small gaps. A whole wall of siding is a job for a siding contractor.
Can you do a carpenter’s work in Rochester, NY?
Yes, repair carpentry: trim, steps, rails, boards and sills. We do not build additions or new decks.
Does New York license handymen?
Not statewide. A state license is required only in New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties, and in Buffalo. Check insurance and references before you hire.
Related services
Request a visit
Call 585.555.0142 and tell us about the job. We answer every call.
100 Sample Street, Rochester, NY 14604 | Hours: Monday–Saturday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM