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TRUSTED BY PALO ALTO, CA HOMEOWNERS

  • Average homeowner rating star icon4.7
    Average homeowner rating
  • Verified reviews icon91
    Verified carpentry services reviews

Find Carpenters in Palo Alto

Avatar for Summit Deck Doctor
Summit Deck Doctor
4.8(
52
)
Deck or Porch - Repair

Serving Palo Alto, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2003

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"WOW.
I thought my 30 year old redwood deck wasn't salvageable, but Rupert convinced me to do so.  He was very prompt & reliable & knowledgeable and everything went as planned.    A real pleasure to work with, especially if you prefer texting over e-mails!!
I thought it was going to need replacement, a cost of $20,000 using a wood/plastic composite.  I am glad I didn't spend all that money- I would have had a plastic deck (Trex )that would scratch/warp/stain/turn to plastic-dust ( according to reviews at http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/trex_composite_decking.html) 
Instead, I have a sturdy splinter free redwood deck and $18,000 still in my pocket.  Environmentally I saved as well, by 'fixing & reusing rather than buying/manufacturing plastics that would end up un-decomposed in a landfill one day.
If you want a facelift on your old deck- Summit Deck Doctors is the way to go.
If you think your deck is dying and needs to be buried & replaced, don't do so without asking Summit Deck Doctors to resuscitate it.
"
Before handrails.
Deck build above creek.
Honey teak color. Morgan Hill.
Deck and arbor staining
Cabot solid stains

+416

Response time10 hrs
Recommended by97%of homeowners
Avatar for Brian O'Neill Construction
Brian O'Neill Construction
4.8(
86
)
Deck or Porch - RepairArbor, Pergola or Trellis - Build Custom - For BusinessGazebo or Freestanding Porch - Repair+1 more

Serving Palo Alto, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"We spent 3 months trying to find the right contractor to tear down and rebuild our deck. We hire Brian ONeill after receiving a bid and discussing the project with him. He listened to what we wanted and worked with us to come up with the correct deck configuration that we wanted. He is a true craftsman and exceptionally easy to work with. We couldn't be happened with the finished product and that he did everything he said he would do and was a complete pro before, during, and after. Thank you Brian!"
LARGE ASHLER WITH BANDS
ARBOR REPAIRED
Concrete
ARBOR REPAIR
Arbor

+40

Response time3 hrs
Response rate100%
4 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Herman Construction Company
Herman Construction Company
5.0(
22
)
Arbor, Pergola or Trellis - Build Custom - For BusinessCarpentry Framing - InstallCarpentry Framing - Repair+8 more

Serving Palo Alto, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Karol and his crew are very talented, efficient builders. We hired Karol to build a composite deck to compliment the pool we had installed in the back yard. It turned out beautifully. He is a great communicator and listener, prompt and reliable."
Home Addition
Home Addition
Home Additon
Home Additon
Home Addition

+25

Response time7 hrs
Recommended by81%of homeowners
Avatar for Tool Time Home Improvement
Tool Time Home Improvement
4.6(
206
)
Window Frame - RepairWindow Frame - Repair - For Business

Serving Palo Alto, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"I received excellent timely service on a couple of major handyman projects from Minh at Tool Time Home improvement. [*** Link removed ***] And he had good backup from others at Tooltime. Terry the scheduler/coordinator is easy to work with and worked closely with me to understand and advise on some difficult projects. They are on the high end of handyman quotes but proved to be cost effective"
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+16

Response time1 day
Response rate100%
10 neighbors recently requested a quote
Avatar for Landscaping Bay Area
Landscaping Bay Area
4.6(
117
)
Deck or Porch - Repair

Serving Palo Alto, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"The job was to remove a stump by hand in a restricted space. Genaro arrived on time and performed work in a surprisingly short time. Preserved and reinstalled the decomposed granite that surrounded the stump after adding fill dirt to make the area level. Excellent work."
Ground cover
Ground cover
Additional Photos
Additional Photos
Additional Photos

+15

Recommended by88%of homeowners
Avatar for S.C. Home Repair
S.C. Home Repair
4.8(
40
)
Window Frame - RepairWindow Frame - Repair - For Business

Serving Palo Alto, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Josh did a great job on my roofing repair! He showed up when he said he would, and the roof looks great! He also installed some replacement skylights and siding. He sent many pics of the job as I wasn’t able to be there when the work was performed. I will definitely use him again."
Handyman Services Project
Kitchen Floor, cabinets appliances.
Carpentry, handrails and decks.
Widened closet opening and replaced doors. Added trim around windows and new Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring
Remodeling - General Project

+136

Response time1 day
Response rate100%
Recommended by91%of homeowners
Avatar for Bayside Builders Group
Bayside Builders Group
4.8(
59
)
Deck or Porch - RepairGazebo or Freestanding Porch - RepairWood Stairs and Railings - Install or Replace+1 more

Serving Palo Alto, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"We hired Bayside Builders Group to tear down our old, rotting wood deck and replace it with a massive new composite deck, and they did a spectacular job. The picture-frame borders and the hidden fastener system look absolutely seamless. It completely transforms our backyard and gives us the perfect space for summer hosting. The crew was incredibly hard-working and finished the entire build in just a few days."
Deck Installation
9
12
Roofing and Gutter Instal
Castro Valley project

+154

Response time2 days
Response rate86%
Recommended by76%of homeowners
Avatar for CCS Construction Services
CCS Construction Services
4.7(
57
)
Carpentry Framing - Repair

Serving Palo Alto, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2008

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"They designed and built my new home. At the beginning the process was a little rough but soon after a conversation with the owner the whole building process was top notch! Extremely impressed by the great quality of work and very professional people."
Painting
Painting
Siding replacement
Response time1 day
30 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by96%of homeowners
...
Showing 1-10 of 520
Carpentry questions, answered by experts

Enhances property value, ensures safety, and provides a sound basis for future construction.

When deciding whether to use nails or screws for framing, the specific needs of the project must be taken into account. Nails have long been the go-to option for framing due to their affordability, ease of installation, and ability to withstand shear forces. They are perfect for structural framing projects where fast assembly is essential. In contrast, screws offer exceptional holding power and are particularly useful in situations requiring increased strength and resistance to pull-out forces. For projects that prioritize accuracy and long-lasting quality, screws may be the preferred option, though nails remain a dependable and efficient choice.

One of the most common house framing basics for decades has been using wood for the framing work. However, some framing contractors now suggest using steel frames. Steel is lightweight, resistant to fire, and resistant to moisture, all of which are areas where wood framing could cause problems. However, steel framing is more expensive than wood and limits your ability to insulate the home.

There are approximately 5.33 board feet in a 2x4. You can use the board foot calculator in this article to easily find the answer. A 2x4 is 2 inches of thickness by 4 inches of width, so you need to find the length, with 8 feet being the most common. You’d use the calculator here to multiply 2 times 4 times 8, and then divide by 12, arriving at a total of 5.33 board feet. 

Most of the time, you’ll want to use screws on your subfloor rather than nails. Nails can actually weaken plywood, whereas screws can easily penetrate without damage. They also form a more secure connection because of their shape, preventing squeaky floors and tightly holding the subfloor in place. That said, some contractors do prefer nails depending on the type of floor covering because they allow for more flexibility.

The Palo Alto, CA homeowners’ guide to carpentry services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.