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…
Home remodeling in San Ramon, CA, is about creating a space that better supports your daily life while adding lasting value to your home. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we specialize in well-planned renovations that combine modern design, practical functionality, and dependable craftsmanship.
With over 40 years of experience, we help homeowners improve their homes through kitchen remodels, bathroom upgrades, home additions, and full-home renovations. Our focus is on efficient layouts, clean finishes, and durable materials that support both comfort and long-term performance.
Whether you’re updating a key living space or planning a larger renovation, we deliver remodeling solutions that are organized, well-executed, and built around your needs.
Home remodeling in San Ramon, CA requires a careful balance of design, functionality, and project management. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we bring over 40 years of experience helping homeowners improve their spaces with well-planned, high-quality renovations.
Our approach focuses on delivering practical improvements that make homes more functional, comfortable, and efficient for everyday living. Whether you’re updating a kitchen, renovating a bathroom, or planning a larger remodel, we prioritize clear communication, organized execution, and dependable results.
We understand the importance of minimizing disruption while maintaining consistent progress throughout the project. Every step is managed with attention to detail to ensure the outcome aligns with your expectations and long-term goals.
As a home remodeling contractor serving San Ramon, CA, we understand the needs of homeowners who want to improve functionality, comfort, and long-term value in their homes. Our experience in the area allows us to deliver remodeling solutions that are practical, well-planned, and suited to modern family living.
We also serve nearby East Bay communities, including Danville, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Alamo. Each area has its own housing styles and homeowner priorities, and we tailor our approach accordingly to ensure consistent quality and reliable results across every project.
Whether you’re updating a kitchen, improving your bathroom, or planning a full-home renovation, we bring organized project management and dependable craftsmanship to every job.
Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today and let our 40 years of Bay Area expertise turn your dream project into reality.
We design kitchens that improve flow, increase storage, and make everyday cooking and gathering more efficient. Our kitchen remodeling services focus on clean layouts, durable materials, and practical upgrades that support busy households.
Our bathroom remodeling services create comfortable, functional spaces designed for daily use. We prioritize efficient layouts, quality finishes, and low-maintenance materials that hold up over time.
We help homeowners transform outdated or inefficient homes into more functional, cohesive living spaces. Our whole-home remodeling approach improves layout, enhances usability, and modernizes key areas for better day-to-day living.
When you need more space, we design and build home additions that integrate seamlessly with your existing home while improving functionality and overall livability.
Our design-build process streamlines your project by combining planning and construction under one team, ensuring better coordination, fewer delays, and a more efficient remodeling experience.
Choosing the right remodeling contractor means finding a team you can trust to deliver quality work, stay organized, and make the most of your investment.
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 San Ramon 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 San Ramon 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.
A successful home remodeling project in San Ramon requires clear planning, structured execution, and consistent communication. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we follow a step-by-step process designed to keep your project organized, efficient, and aligned with your goals from start to finish.
We begin by understanding your home, your goals, and how you use your space. This helps us define the project scope and identify the most effective approach for your remodel.
We create a clear project plan that includes layout improvements, material selections, and design direction. This ensures everything is aligned before construction begins.
Our team manages the construction phase with a focus on organization, efficiency, and communication. We maintain steady progress while ensuring quality and attention to detail at every stage.
Before completing the project, we conduct a detailed walkthrough to ensure everything meets expectations. Final adjustments are made to ensure the finished result is complete and properly executed.
We’ve completed a variety of home remodeling projects in San Ramon, CA, and throughout the East Bay, helping homeowners improve layout, functionality, and overall comfort. Each project reflects our focus on practical design, quality craftsmanship, and long-term usability.
Our work is centered on creating homes that better support everyday living—whether that means improving flow, updating outdated spaces, or enhancing key areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
We’ve redesigned kitchens to improve layout efficiency, increase storage, and create more functional spaces for cooking, gathering, and daily use.
Our bathroom remodeling projects focus on clean design, durable materials, and efficient layouts that improve comfort and usability.
We’ve completed full-home renovations that modernize outdated layouts, improve flow, and create more cohesive and functional living environments.
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 San Ramon homeowners often have important questions before starting the process. To help you move forward with confidence, we’ve answered the most common questions we hear from homeowners in San Ramon, CA, when working with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. These FAQs explain what to expect, how we work locally, and how we help create homes that are more functional, comfortable, and built to last.
We provide full-service home remodeling in San Ramon, including kitchen and bathroom remodels, whole-home renovations, room additions, garage conversions, siding upgrades, skylight installations, and structural improvements.
Yes. San Ramon includes newer developments as well as well-established neighborhoods. We’re experienced in modernizing layouts, improving energy efficiency, and upgrading finishes while respecting community and HOA guidelines when applicable.
Absolutely. Our design-build approach allows us to handle design, planning, permitting, and construction under one team, creating a smooth and efficient remodeling process.
Costs vary based on project scope, materials, and existing conditions. San Ramon remodeling projects can range from minor upgrades to full-home renovations. We provide detailed, transparent estimates so you know what to expect.
Project timelines depend on size and complexity. Smaller remodels may take several weeks, while larger renovations or additions may take several months. We provide a clear schedule before construction begins.
Yes. We manage all required permits and coordinate inspections with the City of San Ramon to ensure your project meets local building codes and regulations.
In many cases, yes. We work with San Ramon homeowners to phase construction when possible, minimize disruption, and maintain a clean and safe worksite throughout the project.
Getting started is easy. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights to schedule a consultation. We’ll discuss your goals, assess your home, review budget and timeline options, and guide you through the next steps.
If you’re planning a home remodeling project in San Ramon, CA, working with an experienced and organized team can make the entire process smoother and more predictable. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we bring over 40 years of experience helping homeowners improve their homes with well-planned, high-quality renovations.
Whether you’re updating a kitchen, renovating a bathroom, or planning a full-home remodel, we focus on delivering clear communication, structured project management, and results that improve both function and long-term value.
Let’s create a home that works better for your everyday life—through thoughtful planning and dependable execution.
Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today to schedule your consultation.