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Uneven floors, recurring wall cracks, sticking doors, and visible changes around a foundation can make you wonder what is happening beneath your Alamo home. While some changes are minor, others may indicate settlement, deteriorated supports, moisture-related damage, or movement within the foundation or floor system. Determining the actual cause is essential before deciding how the problem should be corrected.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, Inc. provides professional house leveling in Alamo, CA, backed by more than 40 years of Bay Area construction experience. Since 1983, our team has worked with homes of different ages, layouts, architectural styles, and structural conditions. That broader construction knowledge allows us to look beyond a sloping floor and consider how the foundation, framing, crawlspace, drainage, and other supporting components work together.
Our approach starts with careful evaluation rather than assumptions. House leveling is not simply about making a floor look or feel flatter. The goal is to identify why part of the home has moved, determine which components are contributing to the problem, and develop a practical solution appropriate for the property.
Depending on the conditions found, a house leveling project may involve correcting deteriorated crawlspace supports, addressing foundation settlement, reinforcing structural components, repairing damaged framing, stabilizing affected areas, or carefully adjusting sections of the floor system. Every property is different, which is why we tailor our recommendations to the home rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all repair.
If you have noticed changes in your floors, doors, walls, foundation, or crawlspace, it may be time to have the condition evaluated.
Schedule Your House Leveling Estimate
A floor that slopes toward one side of a room may seem like an isolated inconvenience, but the visible symptom does not always tell you what is causing the problem. Uneven floors can develop for many reasons, including gradual foundation settlement, shifting soil conditions, weakened crawlspace supports, moisture intrusion, deteriorated framing, or structural changes made during previous renovations.
Two homes can have similar-looking sloping floors and require very different solutions. A section of the foundation may have experienced movement over time. In another, the foundation may be relatively stable while posts, beams, joists, or other components beneath the floor have deteriorated or shifted. Moisture can also contribute to problems by affecting wood framing or soil conditions around the structure.
Older homes can present additional variables. Decades of remodeling, additions, repairs, drainage changes, and normal aging can influence how the structure carries weight. Even work completed many years ago may affect the way floors and supporting components perform today. Rather than treating the symptom alone, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights works to understand the relationship between the visible problem and the structure supporting it.
Homeowners sometimes picture house leveling as simply lifting a section of the building until the floor becomes perfectly horizontal. In practice, responsible leveling requires a much more careful approach. A structure that has moved gradually over many years may contain finishes, framing, doors, windows, cabinets, plumbing connections, and other components that have adjusted to its current position. Making large corrections too quickly can place unnecessary stress on those materials.
The appropriate goal therefore depends on the individual property. Some homes may benefit from targeted correction and stabilization. Others may need repairs to the floor system or foundation before meaningful leveling can take place. In certain situations, preventing additional movement may be more important than attempting to eliminate every small variation in an older floor.
Consider scheduling a professional assessment if you are noticing symptoms such as:
No single symptom automatically means that major structural work is necessary. However, multiple symptoms occurring together—or changes that continue to progress—are good reasons to investigate further.
Structural movement does not always happen suddenly. Settlement and deterioration can develop slowly enough that homeowners become accustomed to small changes over time. A door may need occasional adjustment. A crack may be patched more than once. A floor may gradually become more noticeable when furniture is rearranged. Eventually, these separate issues may begin to suggest that something more fundamental is occurring.
Evaluating the home earlier can help clarify whether the condition is cosmetic, localized, or associated with the supporting structure. It also gives homeowners better information before investing repeatedly in surface repairs that may not address the underlying cause. Mares & Dow brings decades of general contracting, foundation, concrete, carpentry, remodeling, and structural construction experience to this process.
Concerned about uneven floors or signs of settlement? Let an experienced Bay Area contractor help you determine what is happening beneath your home.
House leveling requires more than equipment and temporary adjustments. It requires an understanding of how foundations, framing, floor systems, moisture conditions, and previous construction interact. Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights has served Bay Area property owners for more than 40 years. Our experience extends beyond house leveling to foundation repair, concrete foundations, dry rot repair, drainage solutions, retaining walls, remodeling, additions, and general contracting. That broader background matters when the cause of an uneven home involves more than one component.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights has served San Francisco and East Bay communities since 1983. Over those decades, the company has worked with homes of many different ages, architectural styles, layouts, and construction methods. That experience provides valuable perspective when evaluating structural movement because older and newer homes can respond differently to settlement, moisture, previous modifications, and changing site conditions.
Company founders Archie Mares and Dennis Dow bring complementary backgrounds in construction. Archie’s experience includes concrete work, foundations, electrical construction, residential construction, and commercial projects. Dennis is a carpenter by trade with extensive experience in project planning, supervision, home construction, and remodeling. That combination reflects the multidisciplinary approach often required when evaluating an uneven home.
Not every sloping floor requires the same solution, and not every crack means extensive foundation work is needed. Our goal is to identify the likely cause of the problem and recommend work that makes sense for the condition of the property. We believe homeowners should understand what is being addressed, why the work is being recommended, and how the proposed solution relates to the symptoms they are experiencing.
Structural work can feel complicated when homeowners are unfamiliar with foundations, framing, crawlspaces, or leveling methods. We work to make the process understandable. From the initial evaluation through project planning and construction, our team emphasizes responsive communication and straightforward explanations.
Alamo homes vary considerably in age, size, design, foundation configuration, terrain, and previous improvements. A solution that works for one property may not be appropriate for another. Our recommendations are therefore developed around the conditions found at the individual home rather than a predetermined repair package.
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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House leveling can involve several different types of structural work depending on why the home has become uneven. Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights provides comprehensive solutions designed to address the underlying conditions contributing to settlement, sagging, or floor irregularities.
The process begins by examining the areas where movement is visible and evaluating related structural components. This can include reviewing floor conditions, foundation areas, crawlspace supports, framing, and other accessible elements that may help explain the problem.
When foundation movement contributes to an uneven structure, stabilization may be necessary before or as part of the leveling process. The appropriate approach depends on the foundation type, location and extent of movement, and overall condition of the property.
Crawlspaces contain important structural components that support the floor above. Posts, beams, joists, connections, and supporting elements can deteriorate, shift, or become inadequate over time. Correcting damaged or compromised supports can help restore stability to affected floor areas.
Sagging floors are not always caused directly by foundation settlement. Damaged joists, beams, posts, or other framing components can also contribute to unevenness. When framing problems are identified, repairs or reinforcement may be incorporated into the overall leveling strategy.
When adjustment is appropriate, leveling should be performed carefully and methodically. Controlled correction helps reduce unnecessary stress on finishes and other building components while allowing the structural system to be adjusted toward an appropriate position.
Water can contribute to structural problems in several ways. Persistent moisture may damage wood components, while drainage conditions can influence soils surrounding a foundation. When moisture appears to be part of the problem, addressing that condition can be important to the long-term effectiveness of structural repairs.
Because Mares & Dow is an experienced general contractor, we can look at house leveling as part of the larger building system rather than as an isolated repair.
Learn more about our full House Leveling Services.
Alamo is an unincorporated Contra Costa County community characterized by established residential properties, larger lots, hillside areas, and homes representing different periods of development. Local roads identified in Contra Costa County planning materials include Stone Valley Road, Danville Boulevard, Livorna Road, Roundhill Road, and Royal Oaks Drive.
Mares & Dow provides house leveling services throughout the Alamo area, including homes around:
Stone Valley Road runs through a central portion of Alamo and connects residential areas throughout the community. Properties along and near this corridor vary in age, design, lot configuration, and terrain.
The Roundhill area includes established residential properties and homes near Roundhill Road. When floors begin to slope, or structural symptoms develop, determining whether the issue originates in the foundation, framing, crawlspace, or site conditions is an important first step.
Homes near Livorna Road occupy another established portion of the Alamo community. Changes in elevation, drainage, structural age, and previous improvements can all be relevant when evaluating uneven floors.
Danville Boulevard serves as a major north-south route through Alamo and is surrounded by established residential areas. Homes near the corridor include properties with a range of construction styles and ages.
Residential streets around Royal Oaks Drive and neighboring sections of Alamo include homes where foundation, crawlspace, framing, or moisture conditions may eventually contribute to floor irregularities. Regardless of where your property is located in Alamo, our focus remains the same: identify the conditions affecting the structure and develop a practical repair strategy based on the home itself.
A home does not need to be dramatically tilted to have a leveling or structural problem. Changes can begin gradually and become more apparent over time.
A gradual slope across a room may be associated with foundation settlement, structural framing, aging supports, or previous construction.
Localized sagging may indicate a problem beneath a particular portion of the floor, including weakened framing or compromised crawlspace supports.
When a structure shifts, door and window openings can move slightly out of square. This can cause doors to drag, latch poorly, or swing unexpectedly and windows to become harder to operate.
A crack that repeatedly reappears after patching may warrant further investigation, particularly when accompanied by uneven floors or other movement-related symptoms.
Movement may produce gaps between walls and ceilings, flooring and baseboards, cabinets and walls, or other previously aligned surfaces.
When part of a foundation settles differently from another, the floor and framing above may begin to reflect that movement.
Wood deterioration, aging components, moisture exposure, or shifting supports beneath a home can contribute to sagging and uneven floors.
Joists, beams, posts, and related framing components can influence floor elevation even when the foundation itself is not the primary problem.
The company was built on the longstanding partnership of Archie Mares and Dennis Dow, combining decades of hands-on experience in construction, carpentry, concrete, electrical work, remodeling, and project management. Our construction background extends beyond house leveling. We work on foundation repair, concrete foundations, retaining walls, dry rot repair, drainage-related improvements, remodeling, additions, custom homes, carpentry, and other projects involving the systems that make up a residential structure.
For an Alamo homeowner, this broader construction perspective can be particularly useful. An uneven floor does not exist independently from the rest of the building. The foundation supports the framing. The framing supports floors and walls. Moisture can affect both soil and wood components. Previous additions or remodeling can alter how loads are distributed. Understanding these relationships helps us develop solutions based on the entire structure rather than focusing only on the most visible symptom.
Our philosophy is straightforward: quality and service come first. Whether a home needs a localized structural correction or a more extensive leveling and stabilization project, we approach the work with careful planning, clear communication, dependable workmanship, and respect for the property.
If your floors suddenly feel different or you notice new cracks, sticking doors, or other changes, avoid assuming the worst. Structural symptoms can have several possible causes.
Instead, take a systematic approach.
Take photographs of cracks, gaps, sagging areas, or other visible changes. If possible, note approximately when you first noticed them and whether they appear to be changing.
One isolated crack may tell you very little. Several symptoms occurring in the same portion of the home can provide more useful information. A sloping floor combined with a sticking door and recurring wall crack may warrant closer evaluation.
Patching drywall or adjusting a door may improve the appearance or function temporarily, but cosmetic repairs will not correct structural movement if an underlying problem remains.
Look for standing water, persistent dampness, drainage problems, or visible moisture around accessible crawlspace and foundation areas. Moisture can contribute to deterioration and may need to be considered as part of the overall repair strategy.
An experienced contractor can evaluate the visible symptoms in relation to the supporting structure and help determine whether leveling, stabilization, framing repairs, drainage improvements, or another approach should be considered.
Do not keep guessing about what is causing your uneven floors. Get a clearer understanding of the structure and your available options.
House leveling is the process of correcting or stabilizing portions of a home that have settled, sagged, or moved away from their intended position. Depending on the cause, work may involve the foundation, crawlspace supports, beams, joists, framing, or other structural components.
Possible signs include noticeably sloping floors, sagging areas, sticking doors, difficult windows, recurring cracks, gaps between surfaces, and other changes associated with structural movement. An evaluation is needed to determine whether house leveling is actually the appropriate solution.
Possible causes include differential foundation settlement, changing soil conditions, moisture, deteriorated crawlspace supports, damaged framing, inadequate structural support, and previous modifications to the building. Sometimes more than one condition contributes to the problem.
No. A floor can become uneven because of framing problems, crawlspace supports, construction tolerances, previous remodeling, or other conditions. The foundation is only one potential cause.
Many older homes can be stabilized or partially corrected, but the appropriate approach depends on their construction and current condition. Older homes may have accumulated decades of settlement, remodeling, material deterioration, and structural changes. For that reason, corrections should be planned carefully rather than based solely on achieving a perfectly level floor.
Project duration varies according to the size of the affected area, severity of movement, accessibility, structural condition, and type of work required. A relatively localized repair may take considerably less time than a project involving multiple portions of the foundation and floor system. A more accurate schedule can be developed after the property has been evaluated and the scope of work established.
Leveling or stabilization may address structural movement contributing to some cracks, but existing cosmetic damage may still require separate repair. It is generally more useful to understand and address the cause of recurring movement before repeatedly repairing the visible crack.
Structural repairs can improve stability and address identified causes of unevenness, but no contractor can eliminate every future influence on a building. Soil conditions, moisture, drainage, aging materials, and other factors can continue to affect a property over time. The objective is to provide an appropriate, durable solution based on the conditions identified at the home.
Not necessarily. Foundation repair focuses specifically on foundation problems. House leveling is a broader objective that may involve foundation work but can also involve crawlspace supports, beams, joists, framing, or other structural components. The correct approach depends on what is actually causing the home to become uneven.
Start by scheduling an evaluation with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. Our team can review the areas of concern, examine relevant structural conditions, discuss what may be contributing to the problem, and develop recommendations based on the property.
You can also learn more about our professional house leveling services before scheduling your estimate.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights provides experienced house leveling and related structural services throughout Alamo and neighboring East Bay communities.
Our service area includes communities such as:
Immediately south of Alamo, Danville includes a wide range of established residential properties. We help homeowners investigate uneven floors, foundation settlement, sagging areas, and related structural concerns.
North of Alamo, Walnut Creek contains homes representing many different periods of residential development. Foundation movement, aging supports, drainage conditions, and previous remodeling can all influence floor performance.
South of Danville, San Ramon includes both established and newer residential neighborhoods. Regardless of a home’s age, changes in the foundation or supporting structure should be evaluated when noticeable symptoms begin to develop.
Northwest of Alamo, Lafayette includes hillside properties and established residential neighborhoods. Mares & Dow brings decades of Bay Area construction experience to evaluating floor unevenness, settlement, and related structural conditions.
Mares & Dow’s East Bay office is located in Concord. The company serves homeowners throughout this portion of Contra Costa County with general contracting, foundation, remodeling, house leveling, and related construction services.
Homes throughout these nearby communities can also experience settlement, framing deterioration, moisture-related problems, and other conditions that contribute to uneven floors. Wherever the property is located, our approach starts by evaluating the home rather than assuming that every uneven floor requires the same repair.
Uneven floors, recurring cracks, sticking doors, sagging areas, and other signs of structural movement should not be ignored indefinitely. At the same time, these symptoms should not automatically be treated as proof that a home requires extensive foundation work. The most useful first step is understanding why the change is happening.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights brings more than 40 years of Bay Area construction experience to homes in Alamo and surrounding East Bay communities. Our knowledge of foundations, concrete, framing, crawlspaces, remodeling, drainage, and general construction allows us to evaluate structural concerns from a broader perspective. We believe in honest recommendations, careful planning, responsive communication, quality workmanship, and solutions tailored to the actual property.
Whether your Alamo home has gradually developed sloping floors, a localized sagging area, recurring cracks, deteriorated supports, foundation settlement, or another structural concern, our team can help you understand the condition and determine an appropriate path forward.
Ready to get answers about your uneven floors? Start with an experienced Bay Area contractor that has been working on local homes since 1983.
Schedule Your Free Estimate With Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Or learn more about our House Leveling Services.