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…
Is your Berkeley home starting to feel a bit tight? Whether you need space for a growing family, a home office, or simply want to upgrade your daily comfort, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights is here to help. Since 1983, we’ve been building seamless, stylish home additions that respect the character of each home and neighborhood, especially in unique communities like Berkeley.
Our design-build team delivers personalized solutions that enhance functionality, increase square footage, and add long-term value, while preserving the charm and individuality of your home.
Every addition we create is custom-built to reflect the architectural style of your Berkeley home and the way you live.
We specialize in:
Primary Suite Additions – Expand your space with a peaceful retreat that includes spa-like bathrooms, large closets, and custom layouts that feel just right.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) – Whether you’re building for family, guests, or additional income, our ADUs are crafted to align with California’s evolving ADU requirements and Berkeley’s zoning standards.
Second-Story Expansions – Add space vertically without losing your garden or yard—a smart solution for many classic Berkeley lots.
Garage Additions & Conversions – Create a new garage or turn an existing one into a functional space like a home office, art studio, or private rental.
We’ve helped homeowners throughout Berkeley and the East Bay reimagine their space through thoughtful, high-quality additions. Here’s why our clients choose us:
Over 40 Years of Experience – Locally trusted since 1983
Full-Service Design/Build – One team guiding your project from idea to completion
Smooth, On-Time Delivery – Streamlined schedules with no compromise on quality
Eco-Friendly Focus – Sustainable materials and energy-efficient solutions built in
We Handle It All – Permits, inspections, timelines—we manage the details so you don’t have to
Explore our Residential Project Portfolio to see how we blend form and function in every home we touch.
Whether you’re expanding up, out, or adding a stand-alone ADU, our team takes care of everything—from architectural design and permits to material selection and construction. We’re here to make the process easy and the results exceptional.
Want to get to know our team better? Visit our About Us page to learn more about our experience and philosophy.
Stop searching for a “home addition contractor near me.” Partner with the experienced team that’s been serving Berkeley and the surrounding East Bay communities for over four decades. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today to schedule your free consultation and start planning your Berkeley home addition. Get in touch today!
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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If you’re considering expanding your Berkeley home, you likely have questions about the process, timelines, requirements, and what it’s like to work with a contractor. Below are answers to the most common questions Berkeley homeowners ask about planning and building home additions with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights.
Mares & Dow specializes in custom home additions tailored to your lifestyle and architecture. Typical projects include primary suite additions, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), second-story expansions, and garage additions or conversions.
Their team manages every phase — from initial design concepts and permitting through construction and final inspection — so you work with one team throughout rather than juggling separate architects and builders.
Yes. Each addition is custom-designed to reflect the architectural character of your Berkeley home so the new space feels seamless and appropriate to the neighborhood.
Absolutely. They manage all necessary permits, coordinate with local building departments, and handle inspections to ensure the project complies with city and county building codes.
Timelines vary based on scope — a larger addition like a second story or ADU will take longer than a smaller room expansion — but the team provides realistic schedules and keeps you informed throughout construction.
Yes — ADUs are a common option. Berkeley has specific zoning rules and size limits for additions and ADUs, and sometimes administrative permits are required for larger expansions or extra bedrooms.
They emphasize durable construction with eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient solutions that enhance your home’s comfort and long-term value.
You can schedule a free consultation to discuss your goals, review options, and get a proposal — the team will help guide you through design, permitting, and construction from start to finish.