Interior & Exterior Restoration in San Francisco
Some homes need more than fresh paint. Water damage behind a kitchen wall, rotted exterior trim from years of fog exposure, cracked plaster in a 1910 flat, failed stucco around windows, missing crown molding from a previous remodel — these are the projects where painting alone won't solve the problem. Our restoration services cover the structural prep that has to happen before any paint goes on: water-damage repair, wood rot replacement, drywall and plaster restoration, trim and crown molding repair or replication, and stucco patching. Once the substrate is sound, we paint to finish. This service is for owners who'd rather pay once for the whole job than discover six months later that the new paint is peeling because the underlying problem was never addressed.
Why it matters
What changes a restoration job in SF
SF housing stock is old
The median SF home was built in 1927. Plaster walls, lath substrates, original wood trim, and decades of deferred maintenance are the norm. Restoration before paint is often the right answer.
Fog and water damage are everywhere
Marine air, rain, and plumbing leaks all create damage that's invisible until you look behind the trim. Repairing the substrate is the difference between a 3-year paint job and a 10-year one.
One contractor, one schedule
Coordinating carpenters, plasterers, and painters on three separate timelines is a nightmare. We handle restoration and paint as one project with one timeline and one warranty.
Process
Our process for restoration
- 1
Diagnostic walkthrough
Identify damage scope — water intrusion, rot, plaster cracks, failed stucco, missing trim. Photograph and document everything.
- 2
Scope & quote
Itemized restoration scope (carpentry, plaster, drywall, stucco) paired with the paint scope. Fixed-price written quote.
- 3
Structural repair
Replace rotted wood, install Dutchman patches, re-frame around water damage, patch plaster, hang or repair drywall, repair stucco, replicate or replace missing trim/molding.
- 4
Surface prep
Sand, prime, and seal all restored substrates so the topcoat bonds properly.
- 5
Finish paint
Two-coat 100% acrylic finish across restored and existing surfaces. Color-matched to the rest of the home where needed.
- 6
Walkthrough & warranty
Full punch list, photographs of completed restoration work, written warranty on both restoration and paint.
Materials
What we put on your home
- Dimensional and milled wood matched to existing profiles
- USG and CertainTeed plaster and drywall systems
- Sika and Quikrete stucco repair products
- Epoxy wood consolidants for rot-but-savable substrates
- Benjamin Moore Aura and Sherwin-Williams Emerald topcoats
Pricing
What it typically costs
Restoration scope varies widely. Most full-restoration projects run $15,000–$75,000+ depending on damage extent and finish level.
Related
Other services we offer
FAQ
Common restoration questions
Restoration is bid as labor + materials by scope item (sill replacement, plaster repair, etc.). Paint is bid by surface. The two are quoted on a single fixed-price contract.
No — we'd coordinate with your plumber or electrician for the underlying repair, then handle the restoration and refinish work once they're done.
Yes. We work with local millworkers who can match historic and custom profiles.
Most projects run 3–8 weeks depending on scope. Larger restorations (water damage + rot + plaster + repaint across multiple rooms) can run 8–14 weeks.
Ready for restoration?
Free on-site estimate within a week. Fixed written quote within 2 business days.