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…
Homeowners in Richmond, CA, who are planning a remodel deserve top-quality craftsmanship, durable materials, and fair pricing. When you choose Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, you’re working with a licensed, insured team that brings decades of experience and a strong reputation for excellence across the Bay Area.
Whether your Richmond home needs a refresh or a major upgrade, we’re here to help. Our team is known for our reliability, transparent communication, and commitment to delivering results that exceed expectations. You can trust us to get the job done right—the first time.
Home remodeling in Richmond, CA requires a contractor who understands both the character of the homes and the practical needs of local homeowners. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we bring over 40 years of hands-on experience delivering remodeling solutions that improve comfort, functionality, and long-term durability.
Our team takes a structured, design-build approach that keeps your project organized from start to finish. We focus on clear communication, dependable timelines, and quality workmanship so you always know what to expect throughout the process.
Whether you’re updating a single room or planning a full home renovation, we tailor every project to match your goals, your home, and your budget—without compromising on quality.
As a trusted home remodeling contractor in Richmond, CA, we understand the wide range of home styles, neighborhoods, and renovation needs throughout the area. Our experience working in the region allows us to deliver remodeling solutions that fit both the structure of the home and the goals of the homeowner.
We proudly serve homeowners in Richmond and surrounding communities, including San Pablo, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Pinole, and nearby East Bay areas. Whether you’re improving an older home or updating your current space, we bring practical expertise and reliable craftsmanship to every project.
Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today and let our 40 years of Bay Area expertise turn your dream project into reality.
We design and build kitchens that improve daily function, maximize space, and refresh the overall look of your home. Whether you’re updating finishes or reworking the layout entirely, our kitchen remodeling services focus on practical improvements and long-lasting quality.
Our bathroom remodeling services transform outdated bathrooms into clean, comfortable, and highly functional spaces. We focus on durable materials, efficient layouts, and simple, timeless design improvements that enhance everyday living.
For homeowners looking to upgrade their entire property, we provide full-home remodeling solutions that improve flow, layout, and overall usability. We create cohesive designs that make your home feel more modern, functional, and comfortable.
If you need more space, our home addition services are designed to seamlessly expand your living area. Whether it’s an extra bedroom, expanded living room, or new functional space, we ensure the addition integrates naturally with your existing home.
Our design-build approach keeps your entire remodeling project under one team, simplifying communication and improving efficiency. From concept to completion, we ensure your project stays organized, on schedule, and aligned with your goals.
Since 1983, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights has proudly served the East Bay with dependable, high-quality residential remodeling. Our decades of experience mean we’ve seen nearly every type of home, layout, and construction challenge—especially in cities like Richmond with a mix of older properties and newer builds. We understand local permitting, neighborhood styles, and homeowner expectations. This experience allows us to anticipate issues before they arise and deliver solutions that stand the test of time.
You deserve peace of mind when hiring a contractor. Our team is fully licensed in the state of California, bonded for your financial protection, and insured to cover every aspect of your project. We follow strict building codes, local safety requirements, and industry best practices to ensure that every project is done right, legally, and safely. When you hire Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, you’re working with professionals who stand behind their work.
Why juggle designers, architects, and contractors when you can work with one team from start to finish? Our design-build model means we handle every stage of your remodel—planning, permitting, designing, and building—under one roof. This integrated process reduces miscommunication, cuts down on delays, and helps control your budget. You’ll have a single point of contact throughout your entire project, simplifying the process and improving your experience.
We’re proud to be certified installers for top-tier brands like James Hardie siding, Grip-Tite foundation systems, and VELUX skylights. These certifications mean we meet rigorous training and installation standards, giving you added confidence in our workmanship. You’ll also benefit from manufacturer-backed warranties and the latest product innovations when you work with a certified contractor like us.
As a Bay Area company, we’re committed to sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact and support long-term efficiency. Whether we’re installing energy-efficient windows, using durable fiber cement siding, or upgrading insulation during a remodel, our team looks for ways to make your home greener and more cost-effective. Sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s part of our core values.
Trust is everything in our industry. That’s why we’re proud that more than half of our new clients come to us through referrals from satisfied homeowners. Our clients know we show up when we say we will, we communicate clearly, and we treat their homes with respect. When neighbors in Richmond recommend us to friends and family, we know we’ve done our job well. That reputation is what drives us, and we work hard every day to earn it.
Over the years, we’ve completed a wide range of home remodeling projects in Richmond, CA, and surrounding East Bay communities. Each project reflects our focus on practical design, durable craftsmanship, and improvements that enhance everyday living.
From kitchen and bathroom upgrades to full-home renovations and additions, our work is built to improve both the function and long-term value of each home we work on.
We’ve helped homeowners update outdated kitchens into more functional, modern spaces with improved layouts, better storage, and long-lasting finishes designed for daily use.
Our bathroom remodels focus on creating clean, efficient, and comfortable spaces that improve usability while maintaining a simple, timeless design approach.
We specialize in transforming entire homes into more cohesive and functional living spaces, improving flow, layout, and overall livability.
A successful remodeling project depends on a clear, well-managed process. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we guide you through every stage of your home remodeling project in Richmond, CA, ensuring transparency, organization, and consistent communication from start to finish.
We begin by understanding your goals, space, and budget. This helps us define the scope of work and ensure the project direction aligns with your expectations from the very beginning.
We develop a detailed plan for your remodel, including layout considerations, material selections, and design direction. Our goal is to create a solution that balances function, style, and budget.
Once everything is approved, our team begins construction with a focus on quality workmanship, job site organization, and efficient project management to keep everything on track.
Before closing the project, we conduct a final walkthrough to ensure every detail meets our standards and your expectations. We don’t consider the job complete until everything is right.
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 Richmond homeowners often have important questions before starting the process. To help you plan with confidence, we’ve answered the most common questions we hear from homeowners in Richmond, CA when working with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. These FAQs provide a clear understanding of what to expect, how our team works locally, and how we help create homes that are more functional, comfortable, and built to last.
We provide full-service home remodeling in Richmond, including kitchen and bathroom remodels, whole-home renovations, room additions, garage conversions, siding upgrades, skylight installations, and structural improvements.
Yes. Richmond has a wide variety of older, historic, and diverse properties that require careful planning and skilled craftsmanship. We’re experienced in updating these homes while preserving character and ensuring modern functionality.
Absolutely. Our design-build approach allows us to manage your project from initial design and planning through permitting and construction, creating a seamless and coordinated remodeling experience.
Costs vary depending on project scope, materials, and existing home conditions. Richmond remodeling projects can range from smaller updates to full-home renovations. We provide detailed, transparent estimates so you know what to expect upfront.
Timelines depend on the size and complexity of the remodel. Smaller projects may take several weeks, while larger renovations or additions may take a few months. We provide a clear project schedule before construction begins.
Yes. We manage all required permits and coordinate inspections with the City of Richmond to ensure your remodeling project complies with local building codes and regulations.
In many cases, yes. We work with Richmond homeowners to phase construction, minimize disruption, and maintain a clean, safe worksite throughout the remodeling project.
Getting started is simple. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review your goals, evaluate your home, discuss budget and timeline options, and help you move forward with confidence.
If you’re ready to improve your home, our team is here to help bring your vision to life. With over 40 years of experience in home remodeling across Richmond, CA and the East Bay, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights delivers dependable craftsmanship, clear communication, and results built to last.
Whether you’re planning a kitchen update, bathroom renovation, or full-home remodel, we’re committed to making the process smooth, organized, and tailored to your goals from start to finish.
Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today to schedule your consultation.