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…
Transforming your outdoor space begins with more than just adding a structure—it starts with creating a functional extension of your home that reflects how you live every day. A well-built deck or porch can redefine how you use your backyard, turning it into a space for gathering, relaxing, cooking, and enjoying the California outdoors year-round. In San Ramon, where homeowners value both comfort and curb appeal, outdoor living upgrades have become one of the most effective ways to enhance quality of life and long-term property value.
Today’s homeowners are looking for more than basic backyard improvements. They want durable, thoughtfully designed outdoor environments that feel like natural extensions of their interior spaces. Whether it’s a quiet morning retreat, a shaded family gathering area, or a fully equipped entertainment space, the right deck or porch transforms unused square footage into meaningful living space that enhances everyday life.
At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc., we bring over 40 years of proven Bay Area construction experience to every deck and porch project we take on. Our approach is rooted in structural integrity, practical design, and long-lasting craftsmanship. We understand that outdoor structures must withstand sun exposure, seasonal weather changes, and everyday use without compromising safety or appearance.
Every project we build is guided by careful planning and attention to detail. From the initial concept to the final finishing touches, our team ensures your deck or porch is designed to complement your home’s architecture while meeting your functional needs. Whether you’re replacing an outdated structure or starting fresh with a custom design, we focus on delivering results that feel intentional, solid, and built for long-term enjoyment.
We also prioritize clarity and communication throughout the entire process. Homeowners deserve to understand what’s being built, why it’s being built that way, and how each decision impacts durability, aesthetics, and cost. That’s why we emphasize straightforward guidance, realistic timelines, and dependable execution from start to finish.
Explore our full deck services here.
Upgrade your outdoor living space with a custom-built deck. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today for a free estimate!
If your backyard feels underused, disconnected, or simply outdated, a custom-built deck or porch can completely change how you experience your home. Instead of seeing your outdoor area as space, you can turn it into a purposeful extension of your living environment—perfect for entertaining guests, spending time with family, or enjoying quiet moments outdoors.
Many homeowners in San Ramon choose to invest in outdoor construction because it adds both immediate lifestyle benefits and long-term value. A well-designed deck can improve flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, enhance curb appeal, and provide a versatile area that adapts to different needs throughout the year. Whether you envision a cozy shaded porch or a large multi-level deck for gatherings, thoughtful design makes all the difference.
Our process is designed to keep everything simple, organized, and centered around your goals. We guide you through every step so you always know what to expect and how your project is progressing.
From concept to completion, our goal is to make the experience smooth and the result something you can rely on for years to come.
Upgrade your outdoor living space with a custom-built deck. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today for 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.
Homeowners throughout San Ramon consistently choose Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. because they want more than just a new deck or porch—they want a structure built correctly, safely, and to last. Outdoor construction is not just about appearance; it is about engineering, material performance, and ensuring that every component works together as a stable, long-term extension of the home.
With over 40 years of residential construction experience across the Bay Area, our team understands how homes in San Ramon are built, how local soil and weather conditions affect outdoor structures, and what it takes to create decks and porches that remain strong and functional over time. We approach every project with a builder’s mindset—focused on structure first, then design, then finishing details that bring everything together.
What sets our work apart is not just what we build, but how we build it. Every project is handled with consistency, clear communication, and a commitment to doing the job right the first time. Homeowners appreciate knowing that there is a structured process behind every decision, from framing and footing placement to material selection and final inspection.
Upgrade your outdoor living space with a custom-built deck. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today for a free estimate!
We provide full-service deck and porch construction solutions designed to take your project from early planning through completion without unnecessary complexity. Every structure is engineered for safety, durability, and long-term performance, while also delivering a finished look that enhances your home’s overall appearance and usability.
Our approach combines technical construction expertise with practical design thinking. That means we focus not only on how your deck or porch will look, but also how it will perform over time, how it will handle environmental exposure, and how it will support your daily lifestyle needs.
Whether you’re building from the ground up or improving an existing structure, we ensure every detail is handled with precision and care.
In addition to core construction services, we also integrate thoughtful enhancements that elevate how your outdoor space functions. These may include built-in seating for efficient space use, lighting-ready configurations for future upgrades, and carefully planned transitions that connect indoor and outdoor living areas without interruption.
Every home has different outdoor needs, which is why we take a custom approach to every deck and porch project. Instead of using one-size-fits-all solutions, we design spaces around how homeowners actually live, entertain, and use their outdoor areas throughout the year.
In San Ramon, outdoor living is a major part of the lifestyle. Whether it’s hosting gatherings, enjoying quiet evenings outside, or expanding usable square footage, a well-designed deck or porch can significantly improve both daily comfort and long-term property value.
We focus on creating outdoor structures that are not only visually appealing but also practical, durable, and built for consistent use.
Each project is carefully planned to balance aesthetics, structural integrity, and long-term functionality. The goal is always the same: to create an outdoor space that enhances your home and supports the way you live.
Upgrade your outdoor living space with a custom-built deck. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today for a free estimate!
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.
With decades of hands-on experience across the Bay Area, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. has built a reputation for delivering dependable, high-quality residential construction. In San Ramon, where homeowners value both craftsmanship and long-term property investment, that experience matters. Outdoor structures like decks and porches must be engineered correctly from the start to ensure safety, stability, and lasting performance—and that is exactly where our background makes a difference.
Our long-standing presence in the region means we understand how homes are built locally, how different architectural styles influence design decisions, and how environmental conditions affect outdoor structures over time. From modern developments to established neighborhoods, we tailor each project to fit the home’s structure, the property’s layout, and the homeowner’s vision.
Over the years, we’ve refined a construction approach that prioritizes durability first, followed by thoughtful design and clean execution. This ensures that every deck or porch is not only visually appealing but also structurally sound and built to handle years of use without compromise.
Upgrade your outdoor living space with a custom-built deck. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today for a free estimate!
Before beginning any deck or porch project, thoughtful planning is essential. A well-designed outdoor space should not only look good but also function properly, comply with local requirements, and stand the test of time. Taking the right steps early in the process helps avoid costly changes later and ensures your finished structure aligns with both your needs and your property conditions.
Whether you’re building a simple backyard deck or a more complex multi-level structure, careful consideration of design, materials, and site conditions will directly impact the success of your project.
Careful planning at the beginning of your project ensures your deck or porch becomes a long-term asset—one that enhances your home’s usability, comfort, and value rather than just serving as a surface addition.
Upgrade your outdoor living space with a custom-built deck. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today for a free estimate!
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…
In addition to serving homeowners in San Ramon, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. proudly provides professional deck and porch construction services throughout nearby East Bay communities. Our service area is built around long-standing relationships, consistent craftsmanship, and a deep understanding of local residential architecture and building conditions across the region.
Each community we serve has its own character—from hillside properties and newer master-planned developments to established neighborhoods with mature homes. Our experience working across these areas allows us to tailor every deck and porch project to match the home’s structure, the lot’s layout, and the homeowner’s lifestyle goals.
We regularly serve surrounding cities including:
Across every location, our approach remains the same: deliver structurally sound, thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces that enhance how homeowners live and use their property year-round.
Upgrade your outdoor living space with a custom-built deck. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today for a free estimate!
Your outdoor space should be more than an unused or underutilized area—it should function as a natural extension of your home. A well-designed deck or porch can significantly improve how you relax, entertain, and enjoy your property while also adding long-term value and curb appeal.
Whether you are starting from scratch, replacing an aging structure, or upgrading an existing outdoor area, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. delivers dependable construction backed by over 40 years of Bay Area experience. Our focus is on building outdoor structures that are not only visually appealing but also structurally sound, safe, and built to last through years of use and changing weather conditions.
We take pride in a process that is clear, efficient, and centered on your goals. From the initial consultation to completion, our team ensures every detail is handled with care and precision so you can feel confident in the outcome of your project.
Upgrade your outdoor living space with a custom-built deck. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today for a free estimate!
Below are answers to some of the most common questions homeowners ask when planning a new deck or porch in San Ramon. These insights can help you better understand the process, set realistic expectations, and make informed decisions before starting your project.
Construction timelines depend on the size, design complexity, site conditions, and the overall scope of work. In most residential cases, once the project is approved and ready to begin, actual construction typically takes a few weeks. Larger or multi-level structures may require additional time due to framing, engineering, and finishing details. Weather conditions and material availability can also influence the schedule.
Construction requirements vary depending on the scope and complexity of the project. During your consultation, we'll evaluate your property, discuss your goals, explain the construction process, and outline the steps involved before work begins. Our team is committed to making the entire experience as straightforward and stress-free as possible while keeping you informed every step of the way.
We work with a range of materials depending on your design goals, maintenance preferences, and budget. Natural wood offers a classic look and warm aesthetic, while composite materials provide lower maintenance and long-term durability. We help you compare options based on lifespan, appearance, and how you plan to use your outdoor space.
Yes. We handle complete deck removals, structural rebuilds, and upgrades for aging or unsafe outdoor structures. In many cases, older decks have hidden structural issues that need to be corrected before new construction can begin. We evaluate the existing framework and recommend the safest and most cost-effective solution.
Absolutely. Multi-level decks are a great solution for larger properties, sloped yards, or homeowners who want to create distinct outdoor zones. These designs can separate dining, lounging, and entertainment areas while improving overall flow and usability.
Yes. Every deck and porch we build is fully custom-designed. We tailor layouts to your home’s architecture, yard dimensions, and intended use. This ensures the finished structure feels like a natural extension of your home rather than an added feature.
Yes. We design and build covered porches that provide shade, weather protection, and year-round usability. Covered structures can be integrated into the home’s design or built as standalone features, depending on your needs and property layout.
Maintenance depends on the materials used. Wood decks may require periodic sealing or staining, while composite materials typically require less upkeep. We provide clear maintenance guidance after project completion so you know how to protect your investment and extend the life of your deck or porch.
Yes. We can incorporate lighting planning and coordinate electrical features as part of your deck or porch design. This includes ambient lighting, stair lighting, and preparation for future additions like fans or outdoor entertainment systems.
Getting started is simple. Schedule a consultation, and we’ll review your goals, assess your property, and discuss design options. From there, we provide a clear plan and detailed estimate so you can move forward with confidence.