Wood Rot & Dry Rot Repair Selma, AL 36701

Carpentry in Selma, AL (36701) · Local Professionals

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

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Selma's antebellum and Victorian homes along the Alabama River are built on character and history, but the humidity and seasonal rain that define life here take a toll on wood framing, sills, and trim.

Homeowners in Selma (36701) call Montgomery Carpentry when wood rot creeps into a porch frame, when a floor goes soft underfoot, or when finish carpentry needs the kind of attention that matches the craftsmanship of a 1920s bungalow. We've spent years repairing the structural and decorative woodwork that holds these older homes together, and we know how to do it right.

Carpentry in Selma (36701)

Selma sits on the bluffs of the Alabama River, and that geography shapes every carpentry job. The climate is hot, humid, and wet. Summer moisture lingers in crawlspaces under raised cottages and Greek Revival townhouses. Heavy rain and the remnants of Gulf storms drive water behind fascia, soffit, and door frames. The combination of subterranean termite pressure and trapped moisture is relentless: sill plates and floor joists rot from below, porch decking fails, and exterior trim splits and softens. The older the house, the more likely it has been through decades of this cycle.

Your home may be a nineteenth-century raised cottage with brick piers and a ventilated crawlspace, a Craftsman bungalow from the early 1900s with deep front porches, or a Victorian with ornamental trim that deserves careful restoration. Whatever the age and style, we understand Selma's building stock and the specific pathologies that come with it. We repair wood rot, replace damaged joists and beams, restore trim and molding, and handle the structural carpentry that keeps an old house standing straight and solid.

Our services in Selma

Wood Rot & Dry Rot Repair in Selma · Montgomery's long humid summers and heavy year-round rain make wood rot a real…
Termite Damage Repair in Selma · Montgomery's warm humid climate keeps subterranean termite pressure high most…
Floor Joist & Subfloor Repair in Selma · Sagging; bouncy or soft floors in Montgomery's older homes usually trace to…
Beam Replacement & Load-Bearing Wall Removal in Selma · Open-concept conversions and failing beams call for real structural carpentry.
Framing & Structural Carpentry in Selma · Remodel framing done right: new interior walls; garage and ADU build-outs…
Finish & Trim Carpentry in Selma · The details that separate a real finish carpenter from a handyman…
Crown Molding & Baseboard Installation in Selma · Crown molding; baseboards; chair rail and window trim installed with the coped…
Custom Built-Ins & Shelving in Selma · Built-in bookshelves; window seats; media walls…
Interior Door Installation & Repair in Selma · Doors that stick; swing open on their own; or never latched right…
Exterior & Entry Door Installation in Selma · Entry; back and French doors installed weather-tight against Alabama heat…
Cabinet & Vanity Installation in Selma · Precise installation of kitchen cabinets…
Stair & Railing Repair in Selma · Squeaky treads; loose banisters; worn stringers…
Deck & Porch Repair in Selma · Humidity; termites and Montgomery's heavy rains are hard on decks and deep…
Fascia, Soffit & Exterior Trim Repair in Selma · Peeling paint and soft fascia boards are the first sign of rot or termite entry…

How a Job Works in Selma

We start with a free on-site assessment. You describe what you've noticed, we examine the damaged wood carefully, and we explain what we find in plain language. If you've had a pest inspection, bring that report. If a floor is bouncy or a wall is out of plumb, show us. We look at access, drainage, and the condition of the framing itself, and we price the work honestly.

Once you approve the estimate, our team handles the repair. For structural work like floor joist sistering or beam replacement, we coordinate with Selma's building department if a permit is required. For finish carpentry, we take care to match existing trim profiles, coped joints, and paint finishes. We work methodically, protect your property, and keep the job site clean as we go.

When the work is done, we do a final walkthrough with you, clean up all debris, and leave your home ready to use. For exterior work like fascia or soffit repair, we make sure water sheds away from the structure and won't trap moisture in the future.

Pricing depends on the scope and condition of the wood. A straightforward wood rot repair in exterior trim might start around $650. A soft subfloor or termite-damaged floor joist repair typically runs $1,200 to $1,800, depending on how much framing is affected and how accessible it is. Structural work like beam replacement or load-bearing wall removal starts at $3,500 and can be higher if the damage is extensive or access is tight. Finish carpentry, crown molding, baseboard, and custom built-ins range from $450 to $1,900 depending on materials and complexity. Call us at (334) 721-7938 for a free estimate. We'll visit your home, assess the damage, and give you a realistic price before any work begins.

My house is near the river, and I've noticed soft wood in the porch frame and some staining on the sill plate. Is this just cosmetic, or do I need to act?

Soft wood in a porch frame or sill plate is not cosmetic. Wood rot advances slowly but steadily, especially in Selma's humid climate. If the wood is soft to the probe, the rot has already penetrated, and it will continue to spread if left untreated. The good news is that if the structural members are still sound underneath, we can often repair by sistering new framing or replacing only the affected sections. If the damage is deep, replacement is the honest answer. Either way, we recommend having it looked at promptly. Call us at (334) 721-7938 to schedule a free assessment.

After a heavy rain last month, I noticed my living room floor is slightly bouncy and feels a bit soft in one corner. What could that be?

A bouncy or soft floor usually means the subfloor or floor joists underneath have absorbed moisture and begun to fail. In Selma, this happens most often when water gets into the crawlspace, when a gutter is clogged or downspout is too short, or when moisture simply accumulates under a raised house over time. The first step is to look at the crawlspace and check for standing water, active leaks, or poor drainage. Then we examine the joists and subfloor to see how much damage there is. Small areas can sometimes be reinforced or spot-repaired. Widespread rot means replacement of the affected framing. We can help you understand what you're looking at and what it will cost to fix. Call (334) 721-7938.

What's a typical price for refinishing the trim and crown molding in a living room?

Crown molding and baseboard installation typically start around $450 for a single room, depending on the linear footage, the profile you choose, and whether we're replacing existing trim or installing new. Finish carpentry work like casing around door openings, wainscoting, or custom shelving runs higher, from $1,900 and up. The exact price depends on materials (paint-grade pine versus stain-grade hardwood), the complexity of coped joints and scribing, and how much existing trim we need to match. Get in touch at (334) 721-7938 with photos or measurements, and we'll give you a realistic ballpark.

If I need to remove or alter a load-bearing wall, what permits do I need from the city of Selma?

Load-bearing wall removal almost always requires a permit from Selma's building department, and it commonly requires engineered drawings from a licensed structural engineer to show how the load will be carried by a new beam or header. The rules and thresholds vary, and requirements can change. Before you plan the work, contact Selma's building department directly to confirm what permits and drawings you'll need. They'll tell you what applies to your project. We can help coordinate the permitting process and do the carpentry work once you have approval, but the engineer and the building department are the authorities on what's required.

My house is in an HOA, and I want to replace my front porch railing. Do I need HOA approval?

Many HOAs in Selma require approval for exterior modifications, including porch railings. Check your HOA's covenants and rules, or contact your HOA board directly before you start the work. If approval is needed, they'll tell you what design and materials are acceptable. Once you have the green light, we can build or replace the railing to match the character of your home and meet current building codes. We're experienced in working with HOA requirements and can help you understand what's involved.

Are you insured for work at my home?

Yes, we are fully insured with general liability and workers' compensation coverage. That protects you and your property while we're working. If damage occurs during a job, our insurance covers it. We take that responsibility seriously.

What should I do to prevent wood rot and termite damage to my Selma home?

Start with good drainage and ventilation. Keep gutters clean and downspouts directed away from the house so water doesn't pool in the crawlspace. Make sure crawlspace vents are open and unobstructed. Trim tree limbs and vegetation away from the house to improve air circulation and reduce shade that traps moisture. Check your sill plate, porch framing, and fascia annually for soft wood or staining. If you notice damage early, repair it promptly. Have a pest inspection every few years if you're in an area with high termite pressure. And if you spot water stains or soft wood, call us at (334) 721-7938 for an assessment. Catching problems early costs far less than waiting.