Carpentry & Woodwork Services in St. Louis
Wood is the backbone of most homes. The framing holds everything up, the trim makes everything look finished, and the deck is where you spend your summer evenings. When any of it rots, cracks, warps, or falls apart, you need someone who knows how to work with wood — not just slap it together with deck screws and hope for the best.
We do carpentry the right way. Measure twice, cut once, and use the right fasteners for the job. Whether it's replacing a section of rotted fascia on a 1960s ranch in Oakville or building custom shelving in a new-construction home in Dardenne Prairie, we bring the same level of care. Your house deserves straight lines, tight joints, and wood that's going to last.
What We Build & Repair
Custom Trim & Molding
Crown molding, baseboards, chair rail, window and door casing, wainscoting, and shoe molding. We install new trim, repair damaged sections, and match existing profiles in older homes. Getting corners right on crown molding takes experience — compound miters aren't something you learn from a YouTube video. We've done hundreds of them.
Framing Repairs
Sistering joists, repairing load-bearing headers, fixing sagging floors, replacing rotted sill plates, and shoring up weakened structures. Older St. Louis homes — especially those pier-and-beam houses in South City — develop framing issues over time. We assess the structural situation and repair it properly.
Deck Repair & Building
Replacing rotted deck boards, reinforcing wobbly railings, rebuilding stairs, and building new decks from scratch. St. Louis humidity and freeze-thaw cycles destroy decks that aren't maintained. We use pressure-treated lumber or composite depending on your budget and preference. Every deck gets proper ledger board flashing because water behind the ledger is the number one cause of deck failures.
Shelving & Built-Ins
Custom closet shelving, pantry organization, floating shelves, garage storage, and built-in bookshelves. We build shelves that actually hold weight — anchored into studs, not just drywall anchors. We can match the wood and finish to your existing trim or go with something completely different.
Fence Repair & Installation
Leaning posts, rotted pickets, storm-damaged sections, sagging gates, and new fence installation. Those summer storms that roll through St. Louis from the west can knock down fence sections overnight. We repair storm damage and build new fences — wood privacy, picket, and board-on-board. We set posts in concrete, not just packed dirt.
Door Hanging & Repair
Interior doors, exterior doors, French doors, sliding barn doors, and pocket doors. We hang new doors, rehang doors that don't close right, replace damaged jambs, and install hardware. A door that latches properly, swings smoothly, and has an even reveal around the frame — that's what we deliver.
Common Problems We Fix
Wood and St. Louis weather have a complicated relationship. Here's what we deal with most:
"My deck railing wobbles."
Wobbly railings are a safety hazard, especially if you've got kids or elderly family members using the deck. The posts are either rotted at the base, the bolts have loosened, or the attachment to the deck frame has failed. We reinforce or replace the posts, re-bolt the connections, and make sure the railing meets code — which means it shouldn't move when you lean on it.
"The trim around my windows is rotting."
Window trim takes water from every direction — rain from above, splash-back from below, and condensation from the glass. Once the paint cracks and water gets into the wood, rot follows. We cut out the rotted sections, splice in new wood, prime all six sides (top, bottom, front, back, and both ends), and paint to match. On older homes, we match the existing trim profile.
"My fence blew over in the last storm."
St. Louis gets some serious straight-line winds with summer thunderstorms. If the posts were set shallow or in just dirt (no concrete), they don't stand a chance. We reset posts in concrete, replace broken rails and pickets, and rebuild entire sections if needed. Insurance might cover storm damage — keep the before photos.
"My interior doors don't close right."
Settling foundations shift door frames out of square. Humidity swells wood doors. Cheap hollow-core doors warp. Hinges loosen. We troubleshoot the cause and fix it — sometimes it's as simple as resetting the hinges, sometimes we need to plane the door or adjust the jamb.
"My basement stairs are falling apart."
Old open-riser basement stairs in St. Louis homes are notorious for being rickety. The stringers crack, the treads come loose, and there's often no railing at all. We rebuild stairs with proper stringers, secure treads, and code-compliant railings. Your basement stairs should feel solid, not like an adventure.
Materials Matter
We use the right wood for the right application. Pressure-treated for ground contact and exterior use. Clear-grade lumber for trim that gets painted. Cedar or composite for decks where appearance and longevity matter. We source locally from St. Louis area lumber yards — not the big box stores — when quality counts.
Proper Fasteners
Stainless or coated screws for exterior. Structural bolts where they're needed. No drywall screws on decks.
Correct Lumber
Right species, right grade, right treatment for every application. It matters.
Tight Joinery
Clean cuts, flush joints, and proper gaps for expansion. Craftsmanship shows.
Carpentry FAQ
How much does deck repair cost?
Replacing a few rotted boards runs $150–$400. Rebuilding stairs is $300–$800. Railing replacement is $200–$600 per section. A full deck rebuild can range from $2,000–$8,000+ depending on size and materials. We'll assess what can be repaired versus what needs replacing and give you options.
Do I need a permit to build a deck in St. Louis County?
Yes, in most St. Louis County municipalities, a deck over 30 inches off the ground requires a building permit. Repairs to existing decks generally don't. We'll check with your municipality and handle the permit process if needed. The permit ensures the deck is inspected and built to code — that protects you.
Can you match my existing trim profile?
Usually, yes. Standard profiles are readily available. For older homes with unique trim shapes, we can often find a match at specialty lumber yards or have it custom milled. We'll bring a sample of your existing trim to the yard to get the closest match possible.
Pressure-treated or composite for my deck?
Pressure-treated lumber costs less upfront and looks natural but needs staining every 2–3 years. Composite costs about twice as much but requires almost zero maintenance and won't rot, splinter, or warp. It comes down to budget and how much maintenance you want to do. Both are good choices for St. Louis weather — we'll help you decide.
Can you fix a sagging floor?
Depends on the cause. If it's a weakened joist or beam, we can sister new lumber alongside it to restore strength. If the foundation is settling, that's a foundation contractor issue and we'll refer you to someone good. We'll crawl under there, assess the situation, and give you an honest answer about what's going on.
How long does a fence last in St. Louis?
A properly built wood fence with pressure-treated posts set in concrete lasts 15–20 years. Cedar lasts longer — 20–25 years. The posts always go first because they're in ground contact. Staining or sealing the fence every 3–4 years extends its life significantly. We build fences that hold up.
Related Services
Carpentry projects often pair with these services:
Need Something Built, Fixed, or Replaced?
From a single door to a full deck build, we handle carpentry projects of all sizes. Tell us what you need and we'll give you a straight answer and a fair price.