How Much Does Dry Rot Repair Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $500 - $3,000
The average dry rot repair cost is $1,400, but it can range between $500 and $3,000, depending on the extent, size, and location of the damage in your home.
The average dry rot repair cost is $1,400, though homeowners can spend as little as $150 or as high as $10,000. Dry rot is a fungus that deteriorates wood, often to the point of instability. The cost of repairing the conditions caused by dry rot will depend on factors such as the size and location of the affected area and the severity of the damage.
- Average
- $1,400
- Low end
- $150
- high end
- $10,000
Dry Rot Repair Cost Factors
Both wet and dry types of wood rot exist, and both are detrimental to buildings such as your home. Despite its name, dry rot starts doing damage when the lumber is exposed to moisture. Dry rot can even affect pressure-treated wood under the right conditions.
Replacing or repairing dry-rot-affected lumber is crucial to maintaining the integrity of your home's structure. Here are the factors that will determine the cost of repairing a dry rot condition in and around yours.
Extent of Damage
When determining the extent of dry rot damage, it's important to identify the situation as dry rot instead of other kinds of damage, such as an insect or pest problem. After confirmation, the next step is to determine how significant the problem is and devise a plan for handling the situation.
For small areas with limited damage, some elbow grease and filling in the rotten area with two-part epoxy is sufficient. If more significant damage exists, you'll need to replace the affected parts of the structure.
An epoxy fix, including labor, can cost as little as $150. Replacing lumber sections will involve demolition and prep costs, as well as rebuilding the affected area with new materials.
Size
The size of your home's dry rot problem is the next most significant pricing factor. Dry rot can extend well beyond its initial starting location. As dry rot spreads to a larger area, it becomes more costly to remove and repair the damage it leaves behind. Expect to pay between $5 and $40 per square foot for most dry rot repair work, with the understanding that smaller areas cost more per square foot than larger ones.
| Dry Rot Affected Area in Square Feet | Average Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| 10 | $150–$400 |
| 25 | $200–$1,500 |
| 100 | $500–$3,000 |
| 500 | $1,000–$10,000 |
Location in Home
Dry rot can appear virtually anywhere in your home where lumber and moisture meet. Because different parts of your home's structure contain different elements and configurations, where the dry rot is will impact the price of restoring it to normal. Other associated pricing factors include access to the affected space and the building materials present.
| Dry Rot Location | Average Repair Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Walls | $5–$25 |
| Roof Structure | $10–$40 |
| Floor Structure | $15–$40 |
| Window and Door Framing | $20–$40 |
| Porch/Exterior | $5–$30 |
Additional Work Requirements
Accessing the space where dry rot exists often involves removing wall coverings, drywall, roofing material, trim work, and other finishing components. Re-installing or replacing these items will increase the cost of dry rot repair work.
Drywall repair cost: $295–$925
Roofing repair cost: $390–$1,920
Trim work cost: $635–$2,245
Painting cost: $400–$1,600
Labor
The cost of labor for fixing issues related to dry rot repairs will correlate with the cost of living in your area. Expect to spend between $50 and $100 per hour to hire a specialist to put your home back in order, depending on which pro you'll need to complete your repairs.
Contractors cost: 20%–50% of your overall project cost
Roofers cost: $40–$90 per hour
Drywall installers cost: $985–$3,200
Plumbing repair cost: $45–$200 per hour
Demo and Prep
Assessing the damage is just one step in preparing to repair dry rot. When the damage is significant and located in a wall, floor, roof structure, or exterior elements of your home, some demolition work will be necessary to reach all of the affected areas. Expect demo and prep work to cost between $4 and $17 per square foot.
DIY Dry Rot Repair vs. Hiring a Pro
Small and easily accessible areas of wood rot are simple fixes for avid DIYers with some time on their hands. However, when the problem is advanced or difficult to assess, hiring a local water damage restoration specialist to repair the condition is necessary.
While performing the repairs yourself is possible and can save money by avoiding labor costs, an expert can more readily determine the extent of damage and create a plan to stop the wood rot where it's at and keep it from returning.
Additionally, if sections of your home's structure need to be rebuilt, professionals will have access to better equipment to handle the project and will know the permitting requirements for your municipality, if necessary.
Cost of Common Dry Rot Repair Add-Ons
Because dry rot starts when moisture is present, additional work may be necessary before, during, or after repair work to eliminate the water source. While there are acceptable moisture levels in drywall and other materials, keeping the repaired or replaced wood dry is essential to minimize the likelihood of the condition reappearing and to prevent mold after experiencing water damage. Here are some common tasks that you may need to complete.
Crawlspace encapsulation cost: $5,000–$15,000
Basement waterproofing cost: $2,455–$8,175
Whole-house dehumidifier cost: $1,300–$2,800
Whole-house vent fan cost: $800–$2,400
Attic insulation installation cost: $1,700–$2,500
Roof venting cost: $300–$650
Wall insulation cost: $1,150–$6,000
Ductwork repair cost: $200–$2,100
Ways You Can Save Money on Dry Rot Repair
Many dry rot situations are manageable as DIY projects. However, the project cost can increase dramatically when the condition requires more than a simple fix. Despite this, there are still a few ways to help control costs when faced with a dry rot repair situation.
If it's safe to do so without risking injury or causing more damage, perform some of the demolition work yourself to expose the affected area. This will make assessing the situation easy for your contractor and reduce the number of hours the job takes.
Handle the rotten material disposal and associated costs on your own to avoid paying your contractor for the time it takes to do so.
After the initial dry rot repair is complete, perform drywall repairs and trim work reinstallation as a DIY project.
Consider spending money on a vent fan, dehumidifier, or other moisture-limiting device or method to keep the condition from returning. Spending some now can save significant money later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dry rot doesn't pose a health hazard for most people. However, those with respiratory conditions may suffer in a home that has significant dry rot or damp conditions that cause wood rot. More significant is the ability for dry rot to migrate to other lumber in the home's structure. So, while you can live with dry rot for a little while, you'll need to deal with the situation sooner rather than later.
Home insurance doesn't cover dry rot in most cases. Unless the dry rot is a result of a covered peril in your policy, such as flooding or other event, there's little chance that your insurer will pay for this type of damage. However, in most situations, your insurer will only cover immediate water-related damages and not its long-term potential effects.