A lot of handyman work is really carpentry: cutting and fixing timber neatly so it looks right and lasts. Replacing a rotten section of fascia board, fitting new architraves around a door, building shelves into an alcove, repairing a window sill, making a set of timber steps for the back door, building a storage bench or a garden planter box, or fixing a broken timber gate. Our carpentry service covers the small to medium timber jobs that do not need a building permit or a full building crew, in homes, rentals and businesses across Dandenong and the surrounding suburbs.

Carpentry also ties together many of our other services, from door repairs and installation and deck and pergola repairs to fence repairs and gates and floor and skirting repairs.

Carpentry jobs we take on

• Replacing rotten fascia boards, barge boards and eave linings (single-storey)
• Repairing and replacing timber window sills and frames
• Fitting architraves, skirting boards, quad and scotia
• Building and installing shelving, including alcove and garage shelving
• Building storage solutions: under-stair storage, cupboards, built-in benches
• Building timber steps, landings and small platforms
• Making planter boxes, garden edging and raised garden beds
• Repairing and building timber gates
• Building and repairing timber screens and privacy panels
• Fitting new doors, door jambs and door stops
• Fitting timber hand rails and balustrade repairs
• Boxing in pipes and building service covers (no plumbing alteration)
• Building cubby house repairs, sandpit covers and small outdoor projects
• Repairing furniture joints and making small timber items
• Installing wall panelling and battens

Rotten timber repairs

Where rot happens

Timber rots where water sits and cannot dry out. Common spots include fascia boards behind overflowing gutters, the bottom of door frames and jambs at external doors, window sills where paint has failed, the base of pergola and verandah posts, and the ends of deck boards and joists. Older homes in Dandenong, Doveton and Noble Park often have timber windows, weatherboards and fascias that have reached the point where some sections need replacing.

How we repair rot

Small areas of soft timber in an otherwise sound board can be cut out and filled with a two-part epoxy wood repair filler, shaped and painted. Larger areas need the damaged section cut out and replaced with new timber, joined with a scarf joint or splice for strength. Where possible we use treated or naturally durable timber for exterior repairs, and prime all sides and ends before fitting so the new timber does not rot the same way.

Fixing the cause

Rot always has a cause. Before replacing rotten fascia, we look at the gutter. Before replacing a door jamb, we check whether the door is properly sealed and whether water is running back towards the frame. Fixing the cause is the difference between a repair that lasts decades and one that needs doing again.

Trims and finishing carpentry

Architraves, skirting boards and other trims frame a room. When they are chipped, split, mismatched or poorly joined, the whole room looks unfinished. We fit new trims with tight mitred corners, scribe trims to uneven walls and floors, and fill, caulk and paint them. When matching older profiles, we source the closest available profile or replace trims for a whole room for consistency.

Shelving and storage

Good storage makes a home work. We build custom shelving to fit alcoves beside fireplaces, laundry shelving above the machine, garage shelving for heavy items, wardrobe shelving and hanging rails, pantry shelves, and under-stair storage. We build with materials suited to the job: plywood or solid timber for strength and appearance, melamine board for cupboards and wardrobe interiors, and treated pine for garages and sheds. Shelves are sized and supported for the load, so they do not sag.

Outdoor carpentry

Steps and landings

Timber steps at back doors and onto decks wear out, rot at the stringers and become unsafe. We rebuild small sets of steps with correct, consistent rise and tread dimensions, which is important for safety. Steps should feel even underfoot; a single uneven step is a common cause of trips.

Planter boxes and garden beds

Raised garden beds and planter boxes in treated pine, hardwood or sleepers are popular projects. We build them to your size, level them and line them where needed to keep soil off the timber.

Screens and privacy

Timber slat screens hide bins, air conditioners and hot water units, and add privacy to decks and courtyards. We build freestanding or fixed screens with spacing to suit.

Timber choices

• Treated pine: affordable and versatile, with H3 treatment for outdoor above-ground use and H4 for in-ground posts
• Hardwood: stronger, more durable and attractive, such as merbau, spotted gum and blackbutt, well suited to steps, sills and exterior trims
• Western red cedar: light, stable and attractive for screens and cladding, but softer
• Plywood: strong and stable for shelving and storage, available in exterior grades
• MDF: smooth and economical for painted interior trims and shelving, but must be kept dry

We help you choose a timber that suits the job and your budget, and always tell you about maintenance needs.

When you need a builder

Carpentry work that is structural, such as altering wall framing, removing walls, building decks over certain heights, or building pergolas and verandahs attached to the house, may require a building permit and a registered building practitioner in Victoria. Work over a certain value may also require a registered builder and domestic building insurance. We focus on small to medium carpentry that falls outside these requirements, and we will tell you if your project needs a builder.

Carpentry in different house eras

Post-war homes

Many homes built in Dandenong, Doveton and parts of Noble Park through the 1950s and 1960s, including the weatherboard and brick veneer houses built for workers at the factories that once lined the area, have timber windows, timber-framed floors on stumps, and original architraves and skirting boards in hardwood. These homes reward careful repair: the original timber is often far better quality than modern equivalents, and repairing rather than replacing keeps their character. Common jobs include replacing weatherboards damaged by rot, repairing window sills and sashes, matching old skirting profiles, and fixing door jambs that have moved with the house.

1970s to 1990s homes

Brick veneer homes from this period in Endeavour Hills, Dandenong North and Noble Park North usually have pine framing, MDF or pine trims and aluminium windows. Carpentry work tends to centre on fascias and eaves, internal doors and trims, built-in wardrobes and adding storage.

Newer homes and townhouses

Newer homes in Keysborough, Lysterfield and Dandenong South often have minimal trims, MDF skirting and square-set or shadow-line details. Carpentry work here includes adding built-in storage, shelving, wall panelling and batten feature walls, and repairing water-damaged MDF.

Feature walls and panelling

Timber battens, shiplap, wainscoting and decorative wall panelling are popular ways to add texture and character to a room. We fix battens and panels to the wall, plan spacing to suit the room and switches, and finish edges neatly so the feature looks built in. Wainscoting or panelling in hallways also protects walls from scuffs.

Carpentry for safety

• Stair repairs: loose treads and balustrades, missing balusters and wobbly handrails are fixed promptly
• Child safety gates: fitted securely at the top and bottom of stairs, fixed to framing rather than pressure-fitted at the top of stairs
• Handrails: timber handrails along stairs and steps
• Window safety: in Victoria, openable bedroom windows above a certain height may need restrictors to prevent children falling, and we fit window restrictors to timber and aluminium windows

How we work

We measure carefully, cut accurately and use the right fixings, glues and finishes for each job. Most carpentry work is done on-site with portable saws and tools, and we set up a cutting area outside or in the garage to keep dust out of the house where possible. Offcuts and timber waste are removed when we finish. For built-in items, we discuss the design with you first, sometimes with a simple sketch, so there are no surprises. Painted carpentry is primed and finished, or left ready for painting if you prefer to paint it yourself.

Small projects that make a difference

Not every carpentry job is a repair. Some of our favourite jobs are small projects that make daily life better: a bench seat with storage at the front door for shoes and bags, a fold-down workbench in the garage, a timber shelf above the laundry tub, a step for a child to reach the bathroom basin, a hidden cupboard under the stairs, or a timber surround for a bin area. If you have an idea but are not sure how to make it work, tell us about it when you request a quote.

Caring for timber after the job

Exterior timber needs regular care to last. Painted timber should be inspected every year or two, with any cracked or peeling paint touched up before water gets in. Oiled timber such as merbau steps and screens needs re-oiling every six to twelve months, depending on sun exposure. Keep gutters clear so water does not overflow onto fascias, keep garden beds and mulch away from timber posts and cladding, and seal end grain whenever timber is cut. Inside, keep MDF trims and shelving away from moisture, and wipe up spills promptly. A little maintenance protects the timber and avoids larger repairs later. We are happy to show you what to look for, and many clients book us for a yearly check of their exterior timber along with gutter cleaning.

Areas we cover

We take on carpentry jobs across our service areas, including Dandenong, Lysterfield, Endeavour Hills and Doveton.

Related services

Carpentry links with deck and pergola repairs, fence repairs and gates, door repairs and installation and floor and skirting repairs.

Frequently asked questions