Free inspection
We locate rot, soft siding and failed trim and trace the moisture source.
Wood Repair & Carpentry · Big Bear Lake
Wood Rot Repair, Siding & Custom Carpentry in Big Bear Lake
We are a painting contractor that also does the carpentry — so rot gets fixed before the coating goes on, by one accountable crew.
Licensed, Insured & Bonded CA Lic. #1092305 ★★★★★ 5.0 · 32 Reviews 
Free On-Site Estimates 
Local Big Bear ExpertsAlmost no painter in Big Bear publishes anything about wood repair — which is strange, because at this elevation it is half the battle. Top Painting fills that gap: we repair the wood and paint it, so when prep uncovers soft siding or rotted trim, it gets fixed on the same job by the same crew.
Fix the cause
Wood rot repair
We identify and remove damaged wood, harden and fill what is salvageable, and cut out and replace what is gone. Crucially, we address the moisture source that caused the rot — not just the symptom.
- Damaged wood removed; salvageable wood hardened & filled
- Fully rotted sections replaced with matching material
- The moisture source fixed so it does not return
No whole new wall
Siding & board replacement
You rarely need a whole new wall. We replace just the failed boards — including tricky tongue-and-groove repairs — without tearing off the entire elevation, which keeps cost down and preserves the cabin's look.
- Just the failed boards swapped out
- Tongue-and-groove repaired in place
- Original cabin character preserved
Upgrade, not just repair
Cedar tongue-and-groove installs
Want to upgrade? We install new cedar T&G on accent walls, gables, ceilings and full facades — finished with a tannin-blocking primer so the paint or stain holds for the long run.
- Accent walls, gables, ceilings & facades
- Tannin-blocking primer for lasting finish
- A fresh, custom face for the cabin
One accountable team
Why one crew matters
Paint over unaddressed rot and the decay keeps spreading while the new finish peels. Fix the wood, fix the moisture, then coat — connecting to our exterior & cabin painting. No coordinating two trades, no finger-pointing.
- One estimate, one warranty, one point of contact
- Rot fixed before paint, in the right order
- Ideal for absentee cabin owners
Why it matters here
Rot, sequencing & the mountain climate
Why fix rot before painting
Water is the number-one threat to wood siding. Paint over unaddressed rot and you trap the problem — the decay keeps spreading underneath and the fresh finish peels as it goes. The right sequence is always the same: fix the wood, fix the moisture, then coat. Doing it in that order is the difference between a repair that quietly disappears and one you pay to redo in a couple of years.
Big Bear climate considerations
Rot is not a fluke up here — it is the climate doing its job. Snow piles against siding for weeks, ice damming pushes meltwater behind fascia, and freeze-thaw pries open every joint so water gets deeper each season. North-facing walls fail first, which is why we trace the moisture source before rebuilding.
Pricing note: repair work is project-specific and quoted after we see the wood — the inspection and estimate are free.
How It Works
Fix the wood. Then make it beautiful.
How a repair-and-finish job runs.
Remove & rebuild
Cut out rot, harden and fill salvageable wood, replace what is gone.
Prime & protect
Tannin-block cedar and prime bare wood so the finish holds.
Finish to match
Paint or stain so the repair disappears into the rest of the cabin.
Our Work
Recent Big Bear projects.
Related Services
One crew for the whole job.
Common Questions
Straight answers.
How do you replace rotted cedar siding boards?
We remove just the failed boards, cut back to sound material, fit matching replacement stock, fasten and seal it, then prime and finish so the repair disappears into the wall. On tongue-and-groove we can replace sections without tearing off the whole wall.
How do you replace rotted wood under siding?
If rot has reached the sheathing or framing under the siding, we open the area, remove the compromised material, treat and rebuild the structure, and address the moisture source that caused it before closing it back up. Fixing only the surface guarantees it comes back.
What is the best wood filler to repair rotted wood?
For salvageable wood we use a penetrating wood hardener followed by a structural epoxy or polyester filler that can be sanded and shaped. Fully rotted sections are cut out and replaced rather than filled — filler is for sound repairs, not structural ones.
Can you paint cedar tongue-and-groove?
Yes, but cedar needs an oil-based, tannin-blocking primer first or the natural oils and knots will bleed through the finish. With the right primer, cedar T-and-G takes paint or stain beautifully and holds it.
Should wood rot be repaired before painting?
Always. Water is the number-one threat to wood, and painting over rot just hides a spreading problem — the new coating will peel as the decay continues. We fix the wood and the moisture source first, which is exactly why having carpentry and painting under one crew matters.
What Clients Say
5.0★ across 32 reviews on Yelp.
"They replaced siding, then sanded and painted, and kept me in constant contact about my rental property while I was out of town. Great work — highly recommend."
Kaylin W.La Verne, CA
"Jose and his team painted our older cabin's upper deck, which had years of peeling, chipped paint. They offered paint-or-stain options, sanded to bare wood, primed, and painted top and underneath in days. Exceptional quality."
Taylor W.Los Angeles, CA
Ready when you are
Schedule a free wood-rot & siding inspection.
Found soft siding, peeling paint or rotted trim? We will inspect it, find the moisture source, and quote the repair and finish as one job. Photo estimates available by text.
(909) 359-5503Call or text — Big Bear Lake, CA · CA Lic. #1092305
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Local Big Bear crew · Licensed, insured & bonded.
CA Lic. #1092305 · Licensed, Insured & Bonded