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 Hercules home starting to feel a little too tight? Whether your family is growing, your lifestyle has changed, or you simply want more room to relax, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights is ready to help. Since 1983, we’ve been a trusted name in the Bay Area for high-quality home additions, designed to look and feel like a natural extension of your existing space.
Our design-build experts focus on creating thoughtful, functional additions that enhance your home’s comfort, increase its value, and reflect your style—all while blending beautifully with Hercules’s unique neighborhood character.
Every home has its own story, and your addition should fit that story perfectly. We tailor each build to your needs, property, and vision.
We specialize in:
Primary Suite Additions – Enjoy your peaceful retreat with a spa-style bathroom, spacious bedroom layout, and custom walk-in closet.
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) – Ideal for multigenerational living, guest housing, or rental income. We design ADUs that meet California’s and Hercules’s current building codes.
Second-Story Expansions – Add significant living space without giving up your backyard. Great for families looking to stay rooted in place.
Garage Additions & Conversions – Build a new garage or transform an existing one into a home gym, office, or income-producing unit.
We’ve helped homeowners across the East Bay—especially in waterfront communities and hillside neighborhoods in Hercules—reimagine their living space without moving.
Here’s what sets us apart:
Over 40 Years of Local Experience – Trusted throughout the Bay Area since 1983
Full-Service Design/Build – One expert team from planning to final inspection
Quality Work, Done Right – Streamlined timelines with exceptional results
Energy-Efficient Materials – Sustainable insulation, framing, and window options
Permit & Process Management – We take care of city approvals, inspections, and logistics
Want to see what we’ve done for homes like yours? Browse our Residential Project Portfolio to explore our recent work.
From the initial design to the final walkthrough, our process is built to make your home addition experience smooth and stress-free. Whether you’re building up, out, or creating an ADU, we manage every detail—from permits and material selection to construction and quality control.
Curious about our team? Visit our About Us page to learn more about who we are and what drives our work.
Stop searching for a “home addition contractor near me” and connect with the team that’s been building in Hercules and across the East Bay for over four decades. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today to schedule your free consultation and start your Hercules home addition project. 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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A home addition in Hercules can give you the extra space you need while allowing you to stay in the neighborhood you love. Below are answers to common questions homeowners ask when planning a custom home addition with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights.
Mares & Dow builds a variety of custom home additions, including bedroom and bathroom expansions, primary suite additions, family room extensions, second-story additions, garage conversions, and ADUs designed to suit your home and lot.
Yes. Their design-build approach combines design, permitting, and construction under one team, helping streamline communication, reduce delays, and keep projects moving efficiently.
Absolutely. Each addition is custom-designed to blend seamlessly with your home’s architecture, materials, and layout so the new space feels like a natural extension of the original structure.
Yes. Mares & Dow manages all required permits, zoning reviews, and inspections with the City of Hercules to ensure your home addition complies with local building codes and regulations.
Timelines vary based on size and complexity. Smaller additions may take a few months, while larger or multi-story projects take longer. You’ll receive a clear project schedule and regular updates throughout construction.
Yes. ADUs and garage conversions are popular in Hercules. The team helps homeowners navigate local zoning rules, setback requirements, and size limitations to create compliant and functional living spaces.
Mares & Dow focuses on skilled craftsmanship, durable materials, and energy-efficient construction practices to improve comfort, performance, and long-term value.
Getting started begins with a consultation to discuss your goals, explore design options, and receive expert guidance on planning, budgeting, and next steps.