Last Updated: March 2026 | Audited by The PCC Research Team
Killing the termite colony is only the first half of the battle. If Subterranean or Drywood termites have been chewing through your house for years, the structural framing holding up your roof, floors, and patio covers has been severely compromised.
In California, exterminators focus on eradication, but you often need a specialized structural pest control contractor (or a licensed general contractor) to handle the wood repair. This guide breaks down how to assess the damage, the three main repair methods, and the hidden costs you need to prepare for.
A massive, expensive mistake homeowners make is hiring a general contractor to tear out and replace damaged wood before the house has been professionally fumigated or trenched. If you do not eradicate the colony first, the surviving termites will immediately start eating the brand-new, expensive lumber you just installed. Treatment must always precede repair.
1. Assessing the Damage: Cosmetic vs. Structural
Not all termite damage requires tearing out walls. The repair method is dictated by the depth of the galleries (the tunnels they chewed) and the load-bearing status of the wood.
- Cosmetic Damage: If the termites only chewed the surface of a baseboard, a window trim, or the decorative fascia board on your roof, the structural integrity of the house is safe. These can be filled or patched cheaply.
- Structural Damage: If the termites have hollowed out floor joists, wall studs, or roof trusses, the home is in danger of sagging or collapsing. This requires heavy-duty carpentry to ensure the house remains up to California building codes.
2. The 3 Methods of Wood Repair
Depending on the severity of the damage noted in your WDO (Wood Destroying Organism) report, your contractor will choose one of three repair methods.
| Repair Method | How it Works | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Wood Hardeners & Epoxy (Bondo) | The contractor clears out the termite frass, fills the hollow galleries with a liquid wood hardener to stabilize the fibers, and applies a heavy-duty wood epoxy (like Bondo) to sculpt a new surface. | Minor, non-structural, cosmetic damage on window sills, door frames, and decorative baseboards. |
| 2. “Sistering” the Wood | Instead of removing the damaged beam (which could cause the roof to sag), the contractor bolts a brand new, identical piece of lumber directly alongside the damaged beam to share the structural load. | Moderate to severe damage on load-bearing floor joists, attic rafters, and wall studs where complete removal is too dangerous or expensive. |
| 3. Complete Replacement | The structure is temporarily supported with hydraulic jacks, the completely destroyed timber is cut out, and a brand new beam is installed. | Catastrophic structural failure, completely hollowed-out beams, or severely dry-rotted patio covers and decks. |
3. Average Repair Costs in California
Wood repair costs are highly variable because they depend on the current price of lumber and the hourly rate of the carpenter. Here is what California homeowners typically expect to pay in 2026:
- Minor Epoxy/Cosmetic Patching: $200 – $500 per area.
- Sistering Floor Joists or Studs: $500 – $1,200 per joist (due to the difficulty of working in cramped attics or crawlspaces).
- Replacing a Patio Cover or Deck Decking: $1,500 – $4,000+ (Termites frequently destroy outdoor wood structures that touch the soil).
- Major Structural Beam Replacement: $3,000 – $10,000+ (Requires jacking up the house and pulling city permits).
The Prevention Step: Bora-Care
Whenever you replace wood or expose raw framing during a repair, you should insist the contractor spray the new wood with Bora-Care. This borate salt solution permanently treats the raw lumber, ensuring termites will never eat that specific piece of wood again.
4. The Escrow Connection (Section 1 Clearance)
If you are trying to sell your house, repairing termite damage is often non-negotiable. Most mortgage lenders will not fund a buyer’s loan until they receive a “Section 1 Clearance” certificate.
A Section 1 designation on your termite report means there is an active infestation and active damage. The pest control company will not issue the clearance certificate until the bugs are dead AND the compromised wood has been structurally repaired.
Get a Structural Repair Estimate
Not all pest control companies employ licensed carpenters. If your termite inspector only kills the bugs, you need a specialized contractor to fix the wood. Use our directory to find licensed structural repair experts in California.
Call For Wood Repair Pros: (866) 204-1751Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will my homeowner’s insurance cover termite wood repair?
A: No. Almost all standard California homeowner’s insurance policies explicitly exclude termite and pest damage. It is considered a preventable home maintenance issue, meaning you must pay for the repairs out of pocket.
Q: Can I repair the wood myself?
A: You can easily use wood putty or epoxy to patch cosmetic holes in a window sill. However, if the damage involves load-bearing studs, floor joists, or roof trusses, you should hire a licensed contractor. Doing it wrong can compromise the safety of your home and flag a future home inspection.
Q: Do I need a building permit to fix termite damage?
A: If the repair involves cutting into the foundation, replacing load-bearing structural beams, or altering the electrical/plumbing lines hiding inside the damaged wall, your local city or county will likely require a building permit.