Top-rated carpenters.

Best carpenters near Palo Alto, CA

Enter your zip and get matched with up to 5 pros

TRUSTED BY PALO ALTO, CA HOMEOWNERS

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

Top-Rated Carpenters in Palo Alto - Updated Nov 2026

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 - RepairGazebo or Freestanding Porch - RepairArbor, Pergola or Trellis - Build Custom - For Business+1 more

Serving Palo Alto, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"We obtained estimates from over 10 contractors for this job. Brian was very reasonably priced. We needed a deck specialist to modify an existing deck. Brian has extensive experience building decks. He handled our fairly complicated project with skill and competence. He lived up to every commitment he made. He was always on time, always responded to messages and phone calls. We love our new deck and highly recommend 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(
23
)
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 by78%of homeowners
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(
66
)
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 by67%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
25 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by96%of homeowners
...
Showing 1-10 of 534
Carpentry FAQs, answered by experts

Yes, you can find ceiling joists using simple tools if a stud finder isn't available.

Using a hammer requires patience and a keen ear. Gently tap the ceiling in a grid pattern, listening for sound changes. A hollow sound indicates space between joists, while a solid, dull thud suggests a joist. Mark the location with a pencil and confirm by tapping from different angles.

Alternatively, you can use a nail, but this method will leave small holes. You'll feel increased resistance when the nail hits a joist. Mark the spot and repeat the process every 16 or 24 inches to map the joist locations. This method is considered less reliable than using a stud finder.

If the bowing basement wall is less than 2 inches, steel or carbon fiber straps are the best solution. For bowing that is more than 2 inches, wall anchors are the most effective. A contractor can help you decide the best method of repair for your home's foundation and also address the root cause of the trouble.

Installing a tongue-and-groove wall requires similar techniques to those associated with installing shiplap. However, because of the precision necessary to make each board fit perfectly and the increased material prices, the cost is higher than that of shiplap installations. Expect to spend between $2 and $6 more per square foot for tongue-and-groove walls versus shiplap ones.

The best way to calculate framing costs is by basing your costs on the square footage of your home. On average, framing your home could cost anywhere between $7 and $16 per square foot. 

To ensure you don’t go over budget, base your estimates on the higher end of the price range. If you know you’re going to use high-end materials or require a custom or complex build, you might even want to tack on an additional 5% of your budget.

It’s sometimes safe to replace a load-bearing wall with a beam, but you need a structural engineer to sign off on the project. You’ll also likely have to upgrade to a steel I-beam or another material that’s stronger than wood to maintain the level of support you need without the wall underneath.

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.