Structural Repair in Seattle, WA
When rot reaches the framing, we support the structure and rebuild it properly. These members carry decks, walls and roofs, and they fail slowly and quietly. We shore the structure before anything comes out, replace damaged framing with properly sized lumber and code-rated connectors, and fix the water problem that caused the damage in the first place. We serve homeowners across Seattle and nearby Shoreline and Lake Forest Park.
Before
AfterPost rebuilt and wrapped
Why structural repair comes up so often in Seattle
Century-old houses in Wallingford and Ballard settle and soak up water at the bottom, so the framing near the foundation is where we find most structural trouble. Sill plates sitting directly on old concrete, rim joists under leaky porches and posts in damp basements or crawl spaces are the usual culprits. Sagging floors near a back door or a bowed wall under a window often point to rot hidden below. In Seattle we shore the structure, cut out the decayed members, replace them with treated lumber, and correct the moisture source so the repair lasts.
Most of the Seattle homes we work on are north of the Ship Canal. Ballard, Wallingford, Greenwood and Ravenna are full of Craftsman bungalows and foursquares from the early 1900s, along with brick-and-stucco Tudors from the 1920s and 30s. Many still wear their original old-growth cedar lap siding or shingles, nailed straight to board sheathing with no house wrap behind. Farther north, Lake City, Northgate and Maple Leaf filled in after the war with ramblers and daylight basements. Narrow city lots, alleys and tight side yards are the norm, and newer three-story townhomes with rooftop decks and mixed siding have replaced many older houses near the commercial streets.
Seattle’s winters are long, gray and drizzly rather than stormy, so exterior wood rarely gets a full drying day from October into spring. On homes near the water, wind off Puget Sound or Lake Washington pushes rain sideways into the exposed walls. Tight lot spacing works against drying too, because a wall that faces a neighbor five feet away almost never sees direct sun. The result is slow, steady decay at window sills, siding butt ends, deck ledgers and porch floors rather than one dramatic failure.
Our crew comes out from our Woodinville office, and we also work in nearby Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Edmonds and Kirkland.
When to call about structural repair in Seattle
- Doors or windows that start to stick
- Soft subfloor near exterior doors
- Visible rot in the framing when siding is removed
- Rusted or missing hangers and ties
- Posts that are cracked, soft or split at the base
Our structural repair process, step by step
Assess the load path
We find what the damaged member carries and how far the rot goes.
Shore it safely
Temporary supports go in before anything structural comes out.
Replace the framing
New posts, beams, joists or plates sized for the load.
Connect and protect
Code-rated hardware, flashing and raised post bases.
Close up
Sheathing, siding and trim rebuilt and finished to match.
Recent structural repair projects near Seattle
What we do in Seattle
Hardware upgrades
Modern hangers, ties and post bases to current code.
Posts and beams
Replace rotted posts and beams with proper connectors and raised bases.
Temporary shoring
Support the structure safely while members are replaced.
Deck and balcony framing
Rebuild framing that has started to sag.
Joists and rim boards
Sister or replace damaged joists and rotted rim boards.
Sill plates and walls
Replace rotted sill plates and wall framing at the foundation.
Neighborhoods and permits in Seattle
Conditions change block to block. Magnolia and the Ballard bluffs take open wind off the Sound, so west and south walls weather fastest. Laurelhurst and View Ridge face Lake Washington with similar lake-driven rain. Ravenna and the Thornton Creek corridor through Lake City sit under big trees in damp ravines, where moss and shade keep siding wet. Phinney Ridge and Queen Anne get more sun but more wind, while dense Fremont and Wallingford blocks shade each other.
Small like-for-like repairs often don’t need a permit, but structural work, new decks, and larger siding or window replacements usually do. The City of Seattle handles permits through its Department of Construction and Inspections, and homes in historic districts may need extra review. We check with the City of Seattle before starting and tell you up front if a permit is part of the job.
How we fix damaged framing
| Method | Used when | What it involves | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sister a joist or rafter | The original member is weakened but mostly sound | A new member is fastened alongside to share the load | Hours to a day |
| Replace a post or beam | The member is rotted through or cracked | Temporary shoring, new member, new connectors | 1–3 days |
| Replace sill plate | The plate on the foundation has rotted | Short sections shored and replaced one at a time | 2–5 days |
| Add a post and footing | A span is sagging or a footing failed | New footing and post on a raised base | 1–3 days |
What structural repair typically costs in Seattle
| Project | Typical scope | Price range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single post or beam | Shore, replace and add new connectors | $1,500 – $5,000 | 1–2 days |
| Sill plate section | Replace a rotted run of plate at the foundation | $3,000 – $10,000 | 2–5 days |
| Deck or porch framing | Rebuild joists, beams and posts under a deck or porch | $6,000 – $18,000 | 1–2 weeks |
| Larger framing rebuild | Wall or floor framing over a bigger area, often with a permit | $15,000 – $35,000+ | 2+ weeks |
These are typical 2026 ranges we see for structural repair in Seattle and nearby cities. Your price depends on what we find once the area is open, access and height, and the materials you choose. Every estimate is free, in writing and based on an on-site inspection with photos.
Structural repair in Seattle: cost and timing
Most common causes
Wood in contact with concrete or soil
Posts and plates without a barrier or raised base wick moisture and rot from below.
Rot spreading from siding or decks
Damage that starts in siding or a deck ledger can reach the framing behind it.
Long-term leaks
Years of small leaks at decks, doors and walls slowly rot posts, beams and sill plates.
What drives the price in Seattle
Structural repair in Seattle is priced by how much framing has to be replaced, how much shoring is needed, access, and whether a permit or engineer is required. A single post or short section of sill plate is a smaller job than rebuilding framing under a deck or wall. You get a written price after the free inspection.
Typical timeline
Most post, beam and sill repairs take a few days. Larger framing rebuilds take one to two weeks, plus permit time if one is required.
Backed by a 24-month workmanship warranty
Written scope
You know exactly what is included before work starts, with photos of what we found.
Our own crew
The people who quote your job are the people who do it, start to finish.
Clean site daily
Debris is hauled away and your yard is left the way we found it.
24 months covered
If our workmanship fails within two years, we come back and make it right.
What homeowners near Seattle say
“I hired Eco Home Repair to fix my front steps and landing, which had become badly rotted and unsafe. Alex was fantastic to work with from start to finish with great communication, clear expectations, and always responsive. The project included decking…”
“This concerns the work of a company hired to fix some troublesome spots on our home. They were able to rebuild and refinish a window frame that had deteriorated from weather damage over the years. They did an excellent job. That one fix made the house look…”
“As a Condominium owner finding contractors that can work with multiple concerns at once is a challenge. The team at Eco Home Repair has been our go-to for several projects including deck and front porch repairs, siding replacement, chimney chassis repairs…”
5.0 average from 106 reviews on Google, Thumbtack, Angi, HomeAdvisor and Yelp. Read our reviews on Google.
Questions Seattle homeowners ask about structural repair
Can you repair original cedar siding on my old Seattle house instead of replacing it?
Do structural repairs in Seattle need a permit?
Do you work under decks and porches?
How long do structural repairs take?
Do I need an engineer for structural repair?
More from our crew in Seattle
Structural repair near Seattle
Tell us about your structural repair project in Seattle
- Licensed, bonded & insured
- Free on-site estimates
- 24-month workmanship warranty
Book a free structural repair inspection in Seattle
We inspect the damage on-site, show you photos of what we find and give you a written price before any work starts.