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…
Uneven floors, sticking doors, visible gaps, and sagging areas can signal that a home’s support system is no longer carrying loads evenly. Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights provides professional house leveling services for Orinda homeowners seeking a thorough evaluation, a clear explanation of the problem, and a practical path forward.
Orinda’s hillside terrain, varied soil conditions, drainage patterns, and mix of older and remodeled homes can create complicated structural concerns. A floor that feels out of level may be related to settlement, weakened framing, deteriorated posts or beams, moisture damage, or movement within the foundation system. Because several causes can produce similar symptoms, the right solution begins with identifying what is actually happening beneath and around the home.
With over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience, our licensed General and Electrical Contractor team approaches each project with honesty, responsive communication, and respect for the property. We look beyond the visible symptom, consider related structural and moisture conditions, and explain recommended work before construction begins.
Ready to bring your vision to life? Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today and let our over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience help turn your project plans into dependable results. SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE
A home does not need to appear dramatically tilted before it deserves professional attention. Gradual movement often shows up through smaller changes: furniture no longer sits evenly, interior doors swing on their own, flooring separates, trim pulls away from walls, or a once-level room begins to slope. These signs do not prove a specific defect, but they are good reasons to request an assessment.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights evaluates the accessible structural components that influence floor elevation and stability. Depending on the home and the findings, a leveling plan may involve correcting or reinforcing supports, addressing damaged framing, improving load transfer, coordinating foundation-related work, or recommending that drainage and moisture sources be corrected as part of the overall solution.
Our goal is not to force every property into the same repair package. We develop recommendations around the home’s construction, the extent and cause of movement, site access, safety considerations, and the owner’s priorities. Where engineering, permits, or specialized documentation are appropriate, those requirements should be identified before work proceeds.
If your Orinda property has uneven floors or related structural warning signs, review our professional house leveling services and arrange an on-site conversation about the next step.
Concerned about uneven floors or structural movement? Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today and let our over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience help turn your project plans into dependable results. SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE
House leveling affects the structure that supports the rooms people use every day. Homeowners need a contractor who communicates plainly, respects the property, and recommends work based on observed conditions rather than assumptions. Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights brings over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience to structural projects throughout the East Bay.
We understand how foundations, posts, beams, joists, framing, drainage, and prior alterations can interact.
We explain visible conditions, likely causes, proposed work, and important limitations in understandable terms.
Recommendations reflect the home’s construction, access, site conditions, and repair objectives.
When leveling connects with foundation repair, dry rot, carpentry, drainage, or remodeling, our general contracting background supports a coordinated approach.
We emphasize careful preparation, quality materials, safe work practices, and attention to detail that affect long-term performance.
Learn more about our house leveling approach or contact us to discuss the symptoms you have noticed.
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!
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…
The best way to remodel a home for a growing family is to focus on utility. These spaces need to be flexible enough to transform…
Smart lighting is an easy, practical upgrade for home remodeling, rolling convenience into energy efficiency and customizable ambiance. You can easily control brightness levels, color…
No two leveling projects are identical. The appropriate scope depends on why the structure moved, which components are affected, and whether the condition is stable or continuing. Our services may include the following, subject to inspection and project requirements:
A site evaluation is essential before any specific method, sequence, or outcome can be recommended. Visit our house leveling service page for additional information.
Ready for a clearer plan for your Orinda home? Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today and let our over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience help turn your project plans into dependable results. SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE
We serve homeowners throughout Orinda, from wooded residential streets to hillside properties and homes near the city’s central corridors.
This established residential area includes homes on winding roads and varied terrain. Changes in slope, drainage, aging supports, and earlier renovations can all be relevant when evaluating uneven floors.
Homes around the Glorietta area vary in age, layout, and site elevation. We assess the building as a connected system before recommending corrections to floors or supports.
Larger lots and hillside settings can create site-specific access and drainage considerations. A careful inspection helps separate cosmetic irregularities from conditions that call for structural work.
This residential area includes newer single-family construction near Stein Way and Miller Court. Even newer homes may warrant evaluation when owners notice unusual floor slopes, movement, or support concerns.
Properties in and around Wilder often have distinctive grading, foundation, and access conditions. Leveling recommendations must account for the individual structure and surrounding site.
Homes near downtown, Orinda Way, and Camino Pablo benefit from convenient access to the city’s core while still reflecting a range of ages and construction types. We tailor evaluations to each property rather than relying on neighborhood-wide assumptions.
We serve residential streets near the Community Center, Orinda Library, and central civic area, providing clear guidance for homes with sloping floors or related structural symptoms.
The historic theatre and BART station are familiar downtown landmarks. Nearby homes and residential approaches include varied topography and building conditions that may influence structural planning.
Not sure whether your address is within our service area? Contact our team with your Orinda location and a brief description of the issue.
Uneven floors are a symptom, not a diagnosis. Our evaluation focuses on the source of movement and the components that must work together to support the home.
Because lifting a structure can affect walls, finishes, plumbing, doors, and windows, work should be planned and performed in a controlled sequence. Our Orinda house leveling services begin with understanding the full condition.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights has served San Francisco and East Bay property owners for over 40 years. That broad construction background matters in house leveling because structural movement rarely exists in isolation. Foundations, framing, drainage, dry rot, past remodeling, and site conditions can overlap, and a narrow repair may miss an important contributing factor.
As a licensed General and Electrical Contractor, we combine hands-on construction knowledge with organized planning and direct communication. Our approach is grounded in integrity, craftsmanship, safety, and respect for the homeowner’s goals. We provide recommendations based on the property in front of us and explain when additional engineering, permits, or related repairs may be needed.
From the first conversation through project completion, homeowners can expect a friendly, responsive team and a clear understanding of the proposed scope. Schedule a free estimate to discuss your Orinda property.
If you suspect that your home is settling or its floors are becoming uneven, take a measured approach. Sudden or substantial movement, structural sounds, visibly failing supports, utility damage, or other immediate safety concerns should be treated urgently. Keep people away from the affected area and contact the appropriate qualified professional or emergency service.
Photograph cracks, gaps, floor transitions, and sticking openings, and note when you first observed them.
Mark crack endpoints lightly, keep dated notes, and record whether doors, floors, or finishes continue to move.
Look for plumbing leaks, standing water, blocked drainage, damp crawlspace conditions, or runoff directed toward the home.
Jacking without a structural plan can transfer loads unpredictably and damage framing, finishes, plumbing, or utilities.
Share the home’s age, known alterations, prior structural work, and any reports that may help explain the condition.
Ask what is causing the problem, what the work will address, what related repairs may be required, and whether permits or engineering apply.
For a property-specific assessment, contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights or learn more about house leveling in the Bay Area.
House leveling is the process of correcting portions of a home’s structural support system so floors and connected framing are better supported and brought toward an appropriate elevation. The work may involve posts, piers, beams, joists, foundations, or other components. The exact method depends on the cause and the home’s construction.
Common signs include sloping or bouncy floors, sticking doors or windows, gaps at trim or cabinets, and visible support movement. These symptoms can have several causes, so an on-site evaluation is needed before concluding that leveling is required.
No. Uneven floors may result from foundation movement, but they can also be related to sagging joists, deteriorated posts, undersized beams, dry rot, moisture, or earlier remodeling. A proper assessment should consider the complete load path.
Not every home should or can be returned to a mathematically perfect plane without disproportionate risk or damage. Older homes may have longstanding variations. The appropriate target depends on structural needs, existing finishes, connected systems, and the amount of safe correction available.
The schedule varies with the size of the affected area, repair method, access, structural damage, engineering, permits, and related work. A limited support correction may be relatively short, while a complex foundation and framing project can take considerably longer.
Movement can affect drywall, plaster, tile, trim, doors, windows, plumbing, and other finishes or systems. Controlled sequencing can reduce risk, but no responsible contractor should promise that all cosmetic effects can be avoided. Potential impacts should be discussed before work begins.
When poor drainage or excess moisture contributes to soil movement or wood deterioration, addressing the water source may be essential to the overall repair strategy. The appropriate sequence depends on the diagnosis and project design.
Some projects require engineering, permits, inspections, or a combination of these, depending on the proposed structural work and applicable requirements. The scope should be reviewed before construction so the proper process can be followed.
Cost depends on the cause, affected area, accessibility, repair method, materials, engineering, permits, and related damage. An on-site assessment is the reliable way to develop a project-specific estimate.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights combines over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience with broad knowledge of foundations, framing, carpentry, dry rot, drainage, and remodeling. Homeowners receive clear communication and a solution tailored to the property rather than a generic repair package.
Have another question? Review our house leveling services or request an estimate.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights provides house leveling and related structural services throughout Orinda and nearby East Bay communities.
Nearby Lafayette includes both level and hillside properties with varied foundation and framing conditions.
Moraga homeowners may experience floor movement due to terrain, drainage, aging supports, or past alterations.
We work with a broad range of residential ages and construction styles throughout Walnut Creek.
Oakland’s older homes, hillside properties, and remodeled residences often require highly property-specific structural planning.
Berkeley contains many established homes where aging framing, settlement, additions, and moisture conditions can overlap.
Our East Bay office is located in Concord, supporting responsive service for homeowners across central Contra Costa County.
We assist Danville homeowners with uneven floors and related support concerns in both established and updated homes.
Properties in Pleasant Hill vary in age and foundation type, making careful diagnosis important before corrective work.
Service availability depends on the address and project scope. Contact us to confirm coverage for your property.
Uneven floors, sagging areas, and other signs of structural movement can indicate problems beneath the surface of your home. In some cases, the cause may be foundation settlement, weakened supports, deteriorated framing, moisture damage, or a combination of structural conditions. Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights provides experienced house leveling assessments to help identify the source of the problem and recommend an appropriate solution for your property.
With over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience, our team understands the challenges that can affect older homes, remodeled properties, crawlspaces, foundations, and structural framing throughout the region. We take the time to evaluate the home carefully, explain our findings clearly, and recommend work based on the actual condition of the structure. Our goal is to provide practical, dependable guidance without pushing unnecessary or one-size-fits-all repairs.
Ready to bring your vision to life? Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today and let our over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience help turn your project plans into reality. SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE