Rotted rafters: repair or replace?

Q: I have a house built in the late 1970s that has large beams exposed beyond the roofline. After more than 30 years of neglect and exposure there is a good deal of dry rot in them. I think I should have them repaired or replaced.

Is it something I can do, which, considering my lack of construction skills, I seriously doubt, or should I hire a contractor to do the work? Will it be really expensive? Once it is done, how do I keep it from happening again?

A: The bad news is you're right. The exposed beams should be repaired or replaced. The good news is that there's no hurry.

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