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Uneven floors, visible settlement, sagging areas, or structural movement can make a home feel uncomfortable and may indicate underlying support or foundation concerns. Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. provides professional house leveling services for homeowners throughout San Francisco, helping identify the source of structural irregularities and develop practical solutions suited to the property.
With over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience, our team understands the challenges presented by San Francisco’s older housing stock, varied terrain, hillside properties, remodeling history, and different foundation and framing systems. We take a careful, property-specific approach rather than relying on one-size-fits-all repairs.
House leveling may involve evaluating floor framing, foundations, posts, beams, crawl spaces, settlement patterns, drainage-related conditions, and other structural components that influence how a home sits and performs. Our goal is to determine what is contributing to the problem and recommend an appropriate path forward.
Whether you have recently noticed sloping floors or have lived with uneven areas for years, an experienced evaluation can help you better understand the condition of your home.
Ready to bring your vision to life? Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. and put over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience to work for your property. SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE.
Floors do not always remain perfectly level as a home ages. Some changes may develop gradually as materials settle, framing shifts, moisture affects structural components, or foundations experience movement.
San Francisco homes can present especially varied conditions. Properties may be built on slopes, contain older framing systems, have undergone multiple renovations, or include crawl spaces and foundations that have changed over decades of use.
Signs that may justify a professional house leveling evaluation include:
These symptoms do not automatically mean a major structural repair is necessary. The important step is determining why the movement is happening.
Our professional house leveling services begin with evaluating the conditions affecting the structure. Depending on the property, that may include reviewing the foundation, floor framing, structural supports, crawl-space conditions, moisture exposure, and signs of settlement.
Once the cause is understood, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. can help develop a repair strategy based on the needs of the home rather than simply treating visible symptoms.
For San Francisco homeowners, addressing unevenness early can also make future remodeling, flooring, cabinetry, door installation, and other improvements easier to plan.
Concerned about uneven floors or possible settlement? SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc.
House leveling requires more than correcting a floor that looks uneven. Effective work begins with understanding how the foundation, framing, supports, drainage conditions, and previous construction decisions interact.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. brings over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience to residential projects throughout San Francisco.
Our approach emphasizes careful evaluation, practical recommendations, clear communication, and workmanship intended to address the underlying structural concern.
San Francisco contains homes from many different construction eras and architectural styles. Our long-term experience working throughout the Bay Area helps us evaluate properties with an understanding of how older framing, foundations, additions, remodels, and site conditions can influence structural performance.
Because Mares & Dow is an experienced general contractor, we understand that leveling work can affect more than the floor itself. Walls, doors, windows, stairs, finishes, framing, foundations, and remodeled areas can all interact with structural movement.
Our house leveling solutions are approached with the broader building system in mind.
Two homes showing similar symptoms may have entirely different causes. One property may have deteriorated supports, another may have foundation settlement, and another may have framing that has changed over decades. We evaluate the property before recommending corrective work.
Structural concerns can be stressful for homeowners. Our goal is to explain what we see, discuss available options, and help you understand the reasoning behind the recommended work.
Put decades of local construction knowledge behind your home. SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE.
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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Every leveling project starts with understanding what is causing the home to sit unevenly. Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. evaluates the structural components influencing the floor system and develops solutions suited to the property’s condition.
Our house leveling services in the San Francisco Bay Area may involve addressing:
We evaluate noticeable floor slopes and elevation differences to determine whether they may be related to framing, supports, settlement, or other structural conditions.
Floor joists, beams, posts, and supporting components can weaken or shift over time. Identifying which part of the support system is contributing to the sag is essential before corrective work begins.
Movement beneath portions of a home may contribute to uneven flooring and other changes throughout the structure. When foundation conditions are involved, leveling work should account for those underlying issues.
Older homes may contain support systems that have deteriorated, shifted, been altered during remodeling, or no longer provide appropriate support.
Crawl spaces can reveal important information about the condition of floor framing, posts, beams, moisture exposure, and foundation supports.
Structural framing may need reinforcement, adjustment, repair, or modification depending on the source of the unevenness.
A noticeably uneven floor can complicate installation of cabinetry, tile, hardwood flooring, doors, built-ins, and other improvements. Addressing structural concerns before major remodeling can provide a better foundation for future work.
When leveling concerns are connected to broader structural issues, Mares & Dow can draw on extensive experience with foundation repair, concrete foundations, carpentry, retaining walls, drainage, remodeling, and general construction.
Need an experienced contractor to evaluate an uneven home? SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE.
San Francisco’s residential construction varies significantly from neighborhood to neighborhood. Hillside terrain, older housing stock, remodel history, lot configuration, foundation design, and moisture exposure can all influence how a home performs over time.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. provides house leveling and structural services throughout San Francisco, including:
Known for historic residences, multi-story homes, and sloping streets, Pacific Heights properties can involve complex framing and foundation configurations. We help homeowners evaluate uneven floors and structural movement while respecting the character of established homes.
Noe Valley contains a combination of older Victorian and Edwardian homes, remodeled properties, and residences positioned along noticeable grades. Structural evaluations may involve crawl spaces, older framing, foundation settlement, and previous additions.
With many homes positioned on hills and sloped lots, Bernal Heights can present unique structural conditions. Uneven floors may be influenced by foundation movement, framing changes, support conditions, or modifications completed over the life of the property.
Glen Park’s hilly terrain and varied residential construction make careful structural evaluation particularly important. We help homeowners determine what may be contributing to sagging or sloping floors before recommending repairs.
Steep streets and hillside construction are defining features around Twin Peaks. Properties in this area can require careful consideration of foundation, framing, support, and site conditions when evaluating leveling concerns.
The Richmond District contains many established homes built close together on relatively narrow lots. Older framing, previous remodeling, moisture conditions, and gradual settlement may contribute to noticeable floor irregularities.
Homes throughout the Sunset often share recognizable construction styles but can still vary substantially in foundation condition, remodeling history, drainage, and structural support. We evaluate each property individually.
Hillside and elevated residential areas around Mount Davidson and West of Twin Peaks may present specialized foundation and framing conditions. Professional evaluation helps determine whether floor irregularities are primarily related to framing, support systems, settlement, or another cause.
Wherever your San Francisco property is located, our goal is the same: understand the structure first and recommend a sensible solution based on the actual conditions.
SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE for professional house leveling assistance in San Francisco.
Uneven floors are often a symptom rather than the underlying problem. Identifying what is causing the change is an important part of planning effective structural work.
Common conditions we evaluate include:
A floor that gradually drops across a room may be related to settlement, framing movement, altered supports, or original construction conditions.
Localized low areas can develop when joists, beams, posts, or other supporting components weaken or move.
Changes in foundation elevation can affect flooring, walls, doors, trim, and other parts of the structure.
Wood or other structural supports may deteriorate over time, particularly when exposed to moisture or unsuitable crawl-space conditions.
Previous construction or remodeling may have changed the way loads move through the building. Framing should be evaluated before assuming settlement alone is responsible.
Foundation deterioration can contribute to movement and may need to be considered as part of a broader leveling strategy.
Persistent moisture can affect wood framing and supports and may contribute to deterioration that eventually influences floor elevation.
Damaged structural wood can lose strength and create sagging or uneven conditions. Mares & Dow also provides dry rot repair services when deterioration is part of the problem.
Temporary supports, improperly placed posts, remodeled framing, additions, or older repair work may affect how weight is distributed through the structure.
Floor irregularities often become especially noticeable when homeowners plan new flooring, cabinetry, bathrooms, kitchens, or other improvements.
If you are unsure what is causing the problem, a professional house leveling evaluation can help establish the next step.
SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc.
Experience matters when working on the structural components of a home.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. has served the San Francisco Bay Area for over 40 years, working on properties ranging from older urban residences to extensively remodeled homes, hillside properties, additions, custom construction, foundations, and structural improvements.
That broader construction background is particularly valuable for house leveling because uneven floors are rarely isolated from the rest of the building.
The condition may involve foundations, floor joists, beams, posts, moisture, drainage, remodeling history, structural modifications, or several issues working together.
For homeowners looking for experienced house leveling services backed by decades of Bay Area construction knowledge, Mares & Dow provides a practical and dependable resource.
Ready to bring your vision to life? Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. and let over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience help guide your project. SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE.
If a floor feels uneven or you notice changes around doors, walls, trim, or structural supports, avoid assuming the cause based on the symptom alone.
A few sensible steps can help you respond appropriately.
Notice where the unevenness occurs and whether it appears limited to one area or extends across several rooms.
Sticking doors, cracks, gaps, sagging floors, damaged supports, moisture, or visible foundation changes may provide additional information.
Installing new flooring, adjusting doors, patching cracks, or replacing trim may temporarily hide symptoms without addressing their source.
Leaks, drainage issues, crawl-space moisture, and prolonged dampness can contribute to wood deterioration and structural changes.
Lifting or altering structural components without understanding load paths can damage finishes or create additional structural concerns. House leveling should be approached carefully and incrementally.
An experienced contractor can assess the structure and help determine whether the issue involves floor framing, supports, foundations, settlement, moisture, or previous construction.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. provides professional house leveling services throughout San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.
SCHEDULE A FREE ESTIMATE to discuss the conditions at your property.
House leveling is the process of addressing structural conditions that cause portions of a home or its floor system to sit at different elevations. The appropriate method depends on whether the underlying issue involves framing, beams, posts, foundations, settlement, deterioration, or another structural condition.
Common signs include sloping or sagging floors, doors that stick or swing unexpectedly, gaps between floors and walls, cracks near openings, uneven transitions between rooms, or visibly altered structural supports. A professional evaluation can help determine whether leveling or another repair is appropriate.
Older homes may experience changes related to foundation movement, framing settlement, deteriorated supports, moisture, remodeling, previous structural modifications, or decades of normal building movement. The cause varies from one home to another.
Yes. Properties constructed on slopes can have complex foundation and structural systems. However, living on a hill does not automatically mean a home requires leveling. The structure should be evaluated individually.
No. Foundation movement is one possible cause, but floor framing, beams, posts, moisture damage, previous remodeling, or original construction characteristics may also contribute to unevenness.
In many situations, the solution does not require complete foundation replacement. Appropriate repairs depend on the actual source and extent of the structural problem. An evaluation is necessary before determining the scope of work.
If noticeable floor unevenness may be structural, evaluating it before a major remodel is generally advisable. Leveling or structural corrections can affect flooring, cabinets, walls, doors, tile, countertops, and other finish work.
The timeframe depends on the size of the property, access conditions, structural system, severity of the problem, and type of corrective work required. A localized repair may differ substantially from a project involving several structural components.
Yes. Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. provides a broad range of construction services, including foundation repair, concrete foundations, carpentry, dry rot repair, retaining walls, waterproofing, French drains, home remodeling, and other structural work.
Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. through our online contact page or call our San Francisco office at 415-447-6136. You can also schedule a free estimate online
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. provides house leveling and structural services throughout San Francisco and communities across the Bay Area.
With over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience, our team works with homeowners across a wide range of property ages, architectural styles, foundation types, site conditions, and remodeling histories.
Immediately south of San Francisco, Daly City contains established residential neighborhoods with varied foundation, framing, and moisture conditions. We help homeowners evaluate uneven floors, sagging areas, settlement, and related structural concerns.
Nestled against San Bruno Mountain, Brisbane includes properties built across changing elevations and sloping terrain. Our team evaluates structural conditions with the property’s foundation and overall framing system in mind.
Homes throughout South San Francisco range from older residences to substantially remodeled properties. We provide house leveling evaluations and structural solutions based on the condition of each home.
Across the Bay, Oakland contains an extensive mix of older homes, hillside properties, remodeled residences, and different foundation systems. Mares & Dow has decades of experience working throughout the East Bay.
Berkeley’s older housing stock and hillside neighborhoods can present framing, foundation, support, and settlement conditions requiring careful evaluation.
Alameda contains many established and historic homes. Our team helps property owners determine the causes of floor unevenness and identify appropriate structural solutions.
Older residences and remodeled homes throughout Albany can experience changes in framing, supports, and foundations over time. We provide evaluations tailored to each property.
From relatively level residential streets to hillside properties, El Cerrito homes can present a range of structural conditions. Mares & Dow serves homeowners throughout the community.
Richmond’s varied terrain and housing stock create different structural considerations from neighborhood to neighborhood. We help homeowners understand and address the causes of uneven or sagging floors.
Hillside sites and custom residential construction are common throughout Orinda. Our team provides experienced house leveling and structural evaluations for properties requiring careful, site-specific solutions.
Our broader service area also includes Castro Valley, Concord, Danville, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Piedmont, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, San Ramon, Union City, Walnut Creek, and other Bay Area communities.
Uneven floors should not be treated with guesswork. Whether your San Francisco home has developed noticeable slopes, sagging areas, structural movement, deteriorated supports, or other concerns, understanding the underlying cause is the first step toward making an informed repair decision.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. brings over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience to every project. Our knowledge extends beyond floor leveling to foundations, framing, remodeling, carpentry, drainage, dry rot repair, retaining walls, and other structural components that may influence the condition of your home.
Our San Francisco house leveling services are built around careful evaluation, straightforward recommendations, dependable workmanship, and solutions appropriate for the individual property.
Ready to bring your vision to life? Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. today and let our over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience help you move forward with confidence.