When’s the Right Time to Remodel After Buying a House?
The right time to remodel after buying a house depends on your goals, budget, and the condition of the property. Others rush into renovation projects…
Those in Alamo, CA, who are considering their options among local general contractors, please consider asking Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights for a quote on your upcoming home remodeling project. Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights serves Alamo, CA, and the surrounding area. As licensed and insured general contractors, we have the right team, the right attitude, and are established professionals who can deliver a great outcome. Whether you are building a new home, upgrading an existing one, or looking to expand your space, we would appreciate the opportunity to show you why we are one of the best-reviewed home remodeling companies in the area.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights has more than thirty years of expertise supplying Alamo, CA, and surrounding area customers with upgraded homes, additions, foundation repairs, skylights, and more. We offer free estimates and can help you feel confident that your project will be done with the highest standards and quality materials.
Do you want your home upgraded, repaired, or would you like more space? We are well-versed in a number of areas. From leveling houses to finishing basements, straight up to adding additional stories or building a brand new custom home from scratch, when you opt to work with Mares & Dow Construction Inc., you get professionals with expertise and a strong focus on customer service.
Want to know more about us? Want to talk to someone at Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights about your needs? Book your free estimate with Alamo, CA home remodeling contractors who care about quality, service, and value.
Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today and let our 40 years of Bay Area expertise turn your dream project into reality.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights is certified and accredited by the best manufacturers in the industry. From Grip-Tite Foundation Systems, to James Hardie Siding, to VELUX Skylights, you can be sure to get the highest quality products for whatever your project.
Serving the San Francisco Bay Area for over 40 years with quality general contracting, home remodeling, and skylight installation means you'll get the benefits of our expertise for every project.
Maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction, we are proud to have provided our customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area with quality construction and home improvement services for 40 years. With half of our new clients coming to us from referrals, it’s no secret that our customers/friends are truly pleased with the work we do.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, Inc. is a longstanding partnership of 40 years between Archie Mares, Dennis Dow and hundreds of great customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. We are a general contractor, building custom homes, additions, home remodeling, skylights, retaining wall construction and commercial remodeling.
Maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction, we are proud to have provided our customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area with quality construction and home improvement services for 40 years. With half of our new clients coming to us from referrals, it’s no secret that our customers/friends are truly pleased with the work we do.
Quality and service come first. We approach every job, big or small, with the same care and attention to detail we’d give our own homes. Our team combines time-tested building practices with modern innovation to deliver results that stand the test of time.
Ready to start your next project? Whether you’re planning a home remodel, skylight installation, or foundation repair, our team is here to help.
Reach out to us for a free consultation. We’ll listen, offer expert guidance, and provide a detailed estimate tailored to your goals.
To enhance the lives of Bay Area homeowners through expert construction, thoughtful design, and dependable service. For over 40 years, our mission has remained simple: build with integrity, serve with pride, and create spaces our clients love to live in.
We believe in integrity, craftsmanship, and lasting relationships. Every project is built on honesty, transparency, and respect - for our clients, our partners, and the homes we’re entrusted to improve.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights installed a large Velux skylight for me in August 2017. The entire experience was wonderful and the skylight is beautiful, both functionally and aesthetically. Janet made sure the work was scheduled to be completed before a trip I had planned. Jimmy measured carefully when he quoted the work and even accommodated a last minute change on the location when he arrived to do the work. They protected my new floors and were careful to keep dust to a minimum. Archie came by to ensure that all was going smoothly. Freddy helped matched the stain on my nearly 70 year old tongue and grove ceiling that really took some effort and he even matched some a few small spots that a previous contractor had sanded and removed the original stain. EVERYONE was cheerful and knowledgeable. Now, my little mid century house has emerged into the light!
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights replaced two aging skylights in our bedroom and installed automatic blinds on four skylights. This was not an easy job, since our bedroom has very very high cathedral ceilings. In fact, one other skylight installer refused to do the job altogether, and a second made a bid that was almost twice as expensive as Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. Janet Mares, who was our main contact for the job, was a pleasure to work with. Her son, Jimmy, who led the installation, was fearless climbing the ceiling, and he eally knew his stuff. We’re thrilled with our new and improved skylights, and we appreciate Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights’ solid, reasonably priced, work. Thanks guys!
I’ve had Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights install 3 sun tunnels in my home and most recently, 2 skylights in my garage/art studio. I couldn’t be more satisfied with the quality of their work and professionalism! All my communications with their office and installers have been extremely pleasant. I would use them again (and again) and highly recommend them to anyone looking to install Velux skylights/sun tunnels in their home!
Being a new homeowner, i really did my research before having someone come out and give me a quote on a skylight. You never know what to believe when you read yelp reviews. So, i went ahead and had Jimmy from mares and dow come out and give me an estimate. He was right on time, came out and measured and was very professional while he was here. Janet called me a few days later and sent me over an estimate. I went them them and couldn’t be happier. It arrived in the time frame she had told me, and they were out that week. The workers came out on time, and were very friendly and professional. Dennis ( one of the owners) came out as well and checked on the job. The went above and beyond with their work. The skylight looks beautiful! Night and day from the old one. If you are wanting a skylight, i strongly reccomend going with mare and dow
We had Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights install a Velux skylight in our new master bathroom. The space was small and dark, so Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights suggested a big skylight to add in lots of natural light. They built in a double crown molding to beautifully frame the skylight, and now the space is open and airy with wonderful natural light. We can open the skylight during warm months to let in fresh air. It was a superb addition to our bathroom renovation and a great suggestion from Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. They did a fantastic job and were great to work with! Thanks guys!
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Home remodeling is a major investment, and Alamo homeowners naturally have questions before getting started. To help you plan with confidence, we’ve answered the most common questions we hear from homeowners in Alamo when working with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. These FAQs are designed to give you a clear understanding of what to expect, how our local team works, and how we help create homes that are more functional, comfortable, and built to last in the Alamo area.
We handle a wide range of remodeling projects including kitchens, bathrooms, full-home renovations, basement finishing, room additions, garage remodeling, siding updates, skylights, and more — from cosmetic upgrades to major structural changes.
Yes — we offer full design-build services, which means we partner with you from initial concept and detailed design through permitting and construction, all under one roof for a seamless experience.
Costs vary widely based on the scope, materials, and extent of the remodel. Typical Alamo home remodels can range from modest updates to comprehensive renovations — local remodel average costs often fall between roughly $30,000 and $50,000+, though larger projects can exceed this range.
Project timelines depend on the size and complexity of the work — from a few weeks for smaller bathroom or kitchen updates to several months for full-home renovations or additions. We’ll provide a clear schedule with milestones as part of your estimate.
Absolutely. We manage all necessary permits and coordinate with local building officials to ensure your remodel complies with California and Contra Costa County building codes.
Yes. Our team is fully licensed, bonded, and insured in California, giving you peace of mind that your home and investment are protected throughout the remodeling process.
Yes, many clients choose to remain in their homes during remodeling. We’ll discuss with you how to phase the work and minimize disruption so you can stay comfortably at home throughout the project.
Simply contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation estimate. We’ll visit your home, learn your goals, review budget and timeline options, and help you take the next step toward your dream remodel.