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…
Is your Benicia home starting to feel a little tight? Whether your family is growing, your needs have evolved, or you just want more space to unwind or entertain, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights is here to help. Since 1983, we’ve been a trusted name in residential home additions throughout the Bay Area—offering beautifully crafted expansions that blend naturally with your existing space.
Our experienced design-build team focuses on creating custom solutions that enhance your home’s space, function, and long-term value, while maintaining its charm and comfort.
Every home addition we design is tailored to meet the unique needs of your lifestyle, your property, and your vision.
We specialize in:
Primary Suite Additions – Create your peaceful retreat with custom layouts, spa-style bathrooms, and ample closet space.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) – Great for multigenerational living, hosting guests, or earning rental income—are always built in compliance with California’s ADU regulations.
Second-Story Expansions – Add more living space without giving up your backyard. Perfect for growing families or homes with scenic views.
Garage Additions & Conversions – Add a new garage or convert an existing one into a home office, studio, gym, or income-generating unit.
We’ve helped homeowners throughout Benicia and the North Bay turn their existing homes into their dream homes. Here’s what makes us the go-to team for custom home additions:
40+ Years of Experience – Serving Bay Area communities since 1983
Full-Service Design/Build Team – From concept through construction
High-Quality, Timely Delivery – Streamlined process, premium results
Eco-Conscious Building – Sustainable framing, insulation, and energy-efficient windows
Hassle-Free Project Management – We handle permits, inspections, and timelines for you
Take a look at our Residential Project Portfolio to see examples of our work in homes just like yours.
Whether you’re expanding outward, building upward, or adding a fully equipped ADU, our team takes care of every step—from design and permitting to construction and final inspection. You can expect a smooth, stress-free process from start to finish.
Want to know who we are and how we work? Visit our About Us page to learn more about our team and philosophy.
Stop searching for a “home addition contractor near me” and connect with the team that’s been building across the Bay Area for more than four decades. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today to schedule your free consultation and get started on your Benicia home addition. Get in touch today!
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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Planning a home addition is a major investment, and Benicia 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 when working with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. These FAQs explain what to expect, how we navigate Benicia’s permitting requirements, and how we help expand your home with quality craftsmanship and long-lasting results.
We design and build a wide range of home additions in Benicia, including room expansions, primary suite additions, second-story additions, family room additions, and garage conversions or ADU-style additions where permitted.
Yes. Benicia has many older and historic homes that require careful planning. We’re experienced in designing additions that complement existing architecture while meeting modern building standards.
Absolutely. We offer full design-build services, managing architectural design, structural planning, permitting, and construction under one coordinated team.
Costs vary based on size, layout, materials, and site conditions. Benicia home additions can range from smaller expansions to larger custom projects. We provide clear, detailed estimates before construction begins.
Timelines depend on the scope and complexity of the addition. Smaller projects may take a few months, while larger or multi-story additions can take longer. We provide a realistic timeline during the planning phase.
Yes. We manage all required permits and coordinate inspections with the City of Benicia to ensure your home addition complies with local zoning and building regulations.
In many cases, yes. We work with Benicia homeowners to minimize disruption and maintain a clean, safe job site, though some phases may require temporary adjustments.
Getting started is simple. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights to schedule a consultation. We’ll review your goals, assess your property, discuss design and budget options, and guide you through the next steps.