Front Porch Installation

Serving San Francisco and East Bay Since 1983

Build a Welcoming, Durable Front Porch With Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights

Your home’s front porch sets the tone for the entire property—it’s the first impression guests receive and one of the most defining architectural features of your exterior. From classic wooden porches to modern entry structures, a well-designed porch adds beauty, charm, and lasting value. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we bring over 40 years of design-build experience to every project, ensuring craftsmanship that enhances both appearance and function.

Whether you’re adding a brand-new porch, replacing an aging structure, or upgrading your home’s curb appeal, our team provides durable, high-quality construction tailored to your home’s style and your design vision. We’re committed to creating an inviting entryway that blends seamlessly with your property.

Custom Front Porch Installation: Built for Beauty, Comfort, and Longevity

Over time, homeowners often look for ways to improve outdoor living spaces or refresh outdated home exteriors. A new front porch can completely transform how your home looks and feels—providing shade, seating, visual appeal, and architectural character. Whether you prefer a sleek modern porch, a cozy craftsman-style entry, or a spacious wraparound design, we work closely with you to develop a plan that suits your home and budget.

As experienced porch installation contractors, we take care of everything: structural framing, carpentry, roofing tie-ins, foundations, railings, flooring materials, steps, and overall design cohesion. Our goal is to create a welcoming, functional, and durable entry that stands the test of time.

Explore the possibilities with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights and bring your home’s exterior to life with thoughtful, high-quality porch craftsmanship.

Our Specialty Home Remodeling Services
Front Porch Installation

Ready to bring your vision to life?

Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today and let our 40 years of Bay Area expertise turn your dream project into reality.

Benefits of Going with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights

Experience & Accreditations

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.

Knowledge & Expertise

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.

Proven Customer Satisfaction

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.

40
Years of Experience

Serving the San Francisco Bay Area for 40 Years

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.

Philosophy

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.

Get In Touch

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.

Our Mission

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.

Values

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.

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Words of Appreciation from Our Valued Clients

At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we believe great service is its own reward. Every satisfied client, glowing review, and lasting relationship reminds us why we’ve dedicated over 40 years to building with integrity, craftsmanship, and care.

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!

Norma B. San Francisco, California

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!

Aaron R. Concord, California

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!

Myla L. Concord, California

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

Chris W. Walnut Creek, California

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!

Jennifer S. Walnut Creek, California

Our Service Area

  • Alameda
  • Alamo
  • Albany
  • Benicia
  • Concord
  • Berkeley
  • Danville
  • Dublin
  • El Cerrito
  • Hercules
  • Lafayette
  • Martinez
  • Moraga
  • Oakland
  • Orinda
  • Pinole
  • Piedmont
  • Pleasant Hill
  • Pleasanton
  • Richmond
  • San Francisco
  • San Ramon
  • Walnut Creek

Building Knowledge: Insights From 40 Years of Craftsmanship

At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, sharing knowledge is part of our commitment to great service. Our blog offers expert tips, project insights, and inspiration drawn from decades of experience building and remodeling homes across the Bay Area.
When’s the Right Time to Remodel After Buying a House?

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…

What’s the Best Way to Remodel a Home for a Growing Family?

What’s the Best Way to Remodel a Home for a…

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…

Is Smart Lighting a Gimmick or a Game-Changer for Home Remodeling?

Is Smart Lighting a Gimmick or a Game-Changer for Home…

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…

Frequently Asked Questions about our Front Porch Installation Services

Front porch installation is a significant upgrade to your home’s exterior, and it’s natural to have questions about materials, design options, and what the construction process involves. Our team at Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights is here to guide you every step of the way. These FAQs provide clear, helpful answers so you know exactly what to expect from your front porch project.

We design and build a wide range of porch styles, including covered porches, raised porches, concrete or wood-framed porches, wraparound entries, craftsman-style porches, small stoops, and fully customized designs. Each porch is built to complement your home’s architecture.
Yes. We tailor every porch design to your specific home—whether you want modern lines, traditional trim, natural wood, decorative posts, or custom railings. Our design-build process ensures your new porch feels cohesive and intentional.
Absolutely. We specialize in older homes and understand the structural and architectural challenges they present. We can rebuild deteriorating porches, match historical styles, correct sagging or settling issues, and improve long-term durability.
Timelines depend on size, materials, structural needs, and whether demolition or foundation work is required. After evaluating your home, we provide a clear schedule so you know exactly what to expect from start to finish.
You can select from durable materials including natural wood, composite decking, concrete, engineered lumber, custom posts, metal railings, and various finishing options. We help you choose materials that match your style, maintenance preferences, and budget.
Yes. Popular custom features include built-in seating, decorative railings, columns, porch lighting, upgraded steps, overhead coverings, and architectural trim. We can incorporate any functional or aesthetic details you want.
A well-built porch significantly enhances curb appeal and offers one of the strongest returns on exterior improvements. It improves visual harmony, adds usable outdoor space, and creates a welcoming entrance that appeals to buyers.
Schedule a free estimate. We’ll assess your home, discuss your goals, evaluate structural requirements, and provide a detailed, cost-effective plan for your new front porch.