Restoration, Waterproofing & Dry Rot Repair in San Francisco
Most large-scale painting projects across the Bay Area uncover problems that fresh paint alone won't solve: dry rot in exterior trim and sills, failed waterproofing letting moisture into walls, cracked stucco, water damage behind kitchen and bath finishes, plaster and drywall failure in older buildings. Painting over those is throwing money away. Our restoration services cover the structural prep that has to happen before any paint goes on: dry rot replacement, full waterproofing systems, stucco patching, drywall and plaster repair, trim and crown molding repair or replication, and water-damage remediation. Once the substrate is sound and dry, we coat it with premium Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams systems. This service is for owners and property managers 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 & waterproofing job in SF
Bay Area housing stock is old and wet
Most of the SF, Oakland, and Marin housing stock was built before 1960. Wood-framed buildings + fog + winter rain = decades of compounding water damage and dry rot.
Waterproofing is what makes paint last
Marine air, driving rain, and plumbing leaks all create damage that's invisible until you look behind the trim. A proper waterproofing layer is the difference between a 3-year paint job and a 10-year one.
One contractor, one schedule
Coordinating carpenters, waterproofers, plasterers, and painters on four separate timelines is a nightmare. We handle restoration, waterproofing, and paint as one project with one timeline and one warranty.
Process
Our process for restoration & waterproofing
- 1
Diagnostic walkthrough
Identify damage scope — dry rot, water intrusion, failed waterproofing, plaster cracks, failed stucco, missing trim. Photograph and document everything.
- 2
Scope & quote
Itemized restoration scope (carpentry, waterproofing, plaster, drywall, stucco) paired with the paint scope. Fixed-price written quote.
- 3
Dry rot & substrate repair
Cut out and replace rotted wood, install Dutchman patches, epoxy-consolidate rot-but-savable wood, re-frame around water damage, patch plaster, hang or repair drywall, repair stucco, replicate or replace missing trim/molding.
- 4
Waterproofing
Install elastomeric membranes, flashing, sealants, and water-resistant barriers per assembly. Properly lap and tape penetrations.
- 5
Surface prep
Sand, prime, and seal all restored substrates so the topcoat bonds properly.
- 6
Finish paint
Two-coat 100% acrylic finish from premium Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams lines, color-matched to the rest of the building where needed.
- 7
Walkthrough & warranty
Full punch list, photographs of completed restoration and waterproofing work, written warranty on the whole job.
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
- Elastomeric waterproofing membranes and flashings
- 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, waterproofing scope, and finish level.
Related
Other services we offer
Victorian & Historic Home Restoration
San Francisco's Painted Lady and historic-home specialists.
Learn moreFull Exterior House Painting
Whole-building exteriors with waterproofing and dry rot repair.
Learn moreMulti-Unit & HOA Painting
Apartment buildings, condos, HOAs, and rental portfolios.
Learn moreFAQ
Common restoration & waterproofing questions
Yes — though most of our waterproofing work happens as part of a larger exterior repaint or restoration. We can also bid waterproofing on its own when an inspection or insurance claim calls for it.
Probe and visual inspection — soft, spongy, or discolored wood, paint failure radiating from a joint, fungal growth. We probe with a screwdriver to map the rot zone before quoting.
Yes. We work with local millworkers who can match historic and custom profiles for any restoration.
Most projects run 3–8 weeks depending on scope. Larger restorations (water damage + dry rot + waterproofing + repaint across a whole building) can run 8–14 weeks.
Ready for restoration & waterproofing?
Free on-site estimate within a week. Fixed written quote within 2 business days.