What Should Homeowners Ask Before Signing A Deck Installation Contract?
Key Takeaways Homeowners must do their homework, and ask their contractors the right questions to confirm that they’re not working with someone who’s inexperienced, unlicensed…
Uneven floors, sticking doors, wall cracks, and visible changes in your home’s alignment may indicate settlement or another structural concern. Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, Inc. provides professional House Leveling Services in San Ramon, helping homeowners identify the source of these problems and develop an appropriate plan for the property.
With over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience, our licensed general contracting team brings practical knowledge, careful planning, and dependable workmanship to every project. We evaluate the home as a complete structure, considering its foundation, floor system, supports, drainage conditions, previous renovations, and long-term needs.
Our goal is to provide an honest assessment and a solution tailored to your home, not a one-size-fits-all recommendation.
Ready to address uneven floors or structural movement? Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, Inc. and put over 40 years of Bay Area expertise to work for your property.
A floor that slopes or dips does not necessarily reveal the full extent or the exact cause of a structural problem. Settlement, weakened supports, damaged framing, soil movement, drainage issues, and alterations completed by previous owners can all affect how a home sits.
You may benefit from a professional house-leveling evaluation if you have noticed:
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, Inc. starts by examining the conditions affecting the home. Once the underlying concerns are better understood, our team can explain the available options and develop a practical scope of work.
Prompt evaluation can be especially helpful when movement is ongoing. Addressing the source early may help limit secondary damage and give you a clearer path forward.
If your San Ramon home is showing signs of settlement or unevenness, explore our Professional House-Leveling Solutions or 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.
House leveling requires more than correcting a visible slope. The work must account for the building’s load paths, foundation system, floor framing, surrounding soils, moisture exposure, and any previous structural changes.
Contact our experienced Bay Area team to discuss your home and arrange an evaluation.
The correct approach depends on why the home has moved, how its structure is supported, and whether the underlying condition remains active. Our House-Leveling Services may include one or more of the following elements.
Because every home responds differently, leveling must be completed in controlled stages. The objective is to improve support and alignment without placing unnecessary stress on finishes, framing, plumbing, or other building components. Request a free Estimate for your San Ramon property.
Structural changes rarely appear in the same way from one property to another. Some homes develop obvious slopes, while others show smaller changes around walls, floors, doors, or exterior surfaces.
These symptoms can have more than one possible explanation. A professional assessment is the best way to determine whether House Leveling or Structural Repair is appropriate.
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, Inc. provides house-leveling and related structural services throughout San Ramon. We work with properties across established neighborhoods, newer planned communities, hillside settings, and areas containing homes that have been renovated or expanded over time.
San Ramon’s Dougherty Valley and San Ramon Village are formally recognized planning areas, while the Iron Horse Trail and Forest Home Farms are established local landmarks referenced by the city.
If your neighborhood is not listed, contact us. We serve homeowners throughout San Ramon and the surrounding East Bay.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, Inc. brings over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience to homes throughout San Ramon and the East Bay. That long-term experience gives our team a practical understanding of regional construction methods, varied foundation systems, seismic considerations, sloped sites, moisture conditions, and the challenges that arise as properties age or change.
Our capabilities extend beyond a single trade. As experienced general contractors, we understand how a leveling project may affect framing, finishes, electrical systems, drainage, foundations, and previously remodeled areas.
Homeowners can expect:
We do not assume every crack or uneven surface requires major construction. We begin by listening to your concerns and examining the property so that the next steps are based on useful information.
Ready to bring your vision to life and restore confidence in your home? Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, Inc. and let our Bay Area experience guide your project.
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!
Key Takeaways Homeowners must do their homework, and ask their contractors the right questions to confirm that they’re not working with someone who’s inexperienced, unlicensed…
Key Takeaways A new deck installation before you sell your home can really add to the value and appeal of your home, particularly when your…
Key Takeaways Check any deck installer’s credentials, licensing and insurance to protect yourself from potential risk and to comply with local regulations. Evaluate the contractor’s…
If you notice a change in your home, taking a few organized steps can help you document the issue and avoid unintentionally making it worse.
If you notice sudden or significant movement, a major new crack, a visibly failing support, or another condition that appears unsafe, keep people away from the affected area and seek prompt professional guidance.
For dependable assistance, review our Bay Area House-Leveling Services and Schedule a Free Estimate.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. provides house leveling and related construction services throughout Danville and the East Bay. Our regional coverage enables homeowners to work with an established local company that understands Bay Area homes and construction conditions.
In addition to Danville, our service area includes Alamo, Concord, Dublin, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, and other nearby communities. We also serve homeowners in Berkeley, Oakland, Piedmont, Alameda, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, Hayward, Fremont, and surrounding cities.
Our East Bay office is located at 5016 Forni Drive, Suite F, Concord, CA 94520. Danville homeowners can call 925-671-9500 for more information or to discuss an estimate. Our San Francisco office can also be reached at 415-447-6136.
Service availability and project scheduling depend on the property, scope, and location. Contacting our team is the best way to confirm coverage and discuss your specific needs.
Explore our complete house leveling service and learn how we approach structural concerns. Contact us for an estimate in Danville or a surrounding East Bay community.
Structural problems can become more complicated when they are ignored. If your floors slope, doors no longer close properly, or cracks and gaps continue to appear, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. can help you determine what is happening beneath and around your home.
Our team brings over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience to house leveling, foundation stabilization, framing repairs, and related structural work. We evaluate the property carefully, communicate clearly, and develop a solution based on the home’s actual condition.
From the first conversation through project completion, you can expect honest guidance, friendly service, responsive communication, and dependable workmanship. We treat your home with care and focus on repairs intended to support lasting stability.
Restore stability and protect your Danville home. Schedule a free house leveling estimate today.
House leveling is the process of correcting and stabilizing portions of a home that have settled, sagged, shifted, or lost adequate support. The work may involve foundation components, crawlspace supports, beams, joists, or other structural elements.
Possible signs include sloping or dipping floors, sticking doors, misaligned windows, recurring cracks, gaps around trim, and visible changes in foundation or crawlspace supports. An evaluation is needed to determine the actual cause.
No. Unevenness may be related to foundation settlement, but it can also result from framing deflection, deteriorated supports, moisture damage, alterations, or variations from the original construction.
Not necessarily. The appropriate goal depends on the home’s age, condition, construction, finishes, and movement history. In some cases, improving support and reducing the slope safely may be more appropriate than attempting perfect levelness.
The timeline depends on the size of the affected area, accessibility, repair method, permit or engineering requirements, and whether related work is needed. A more reliable schedule can be provided after the property has been assessed.
Movement during leveling can affect rigid finishes such as drywall, plaster, tile, and trim. Controlled adjustments help manage stress, but some cosmetic repairs may still be needed afterward, particularly when substantial movement has occurred.
When water or soil moisture is contributing to settlement or deterioration, drainage improvements may be an important part of the overall solution. The order of work depends on the conditions present.
Some projects require engineered plans, structural calculations, or permits, while others may not. The project’s scope, structural system, and local requirements determine what is necessary.
Costs vary according to the cause and extent of movement, access beneath the home, repair materials, engineering needs, permits, and related foundation or framing work. An on-site evaluation is necessary for a meaningful estimate.
Our team offers over 40 years of Bay Area construction experience, licensed general and electrical contracting expertise, hands-on leadership, clear communication, and solutions developed around the individual property.