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…
Home remodeling in Berkeley, CA often involves working with homes that have strong architectural character, unique layouts, and historical design details. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we bring over 40 years of experience helping homeowners improve functionality while preserving the integrity and feel of their existing homes.
We specialize in kitchen remodeling, bathroom renovations, and whole-home improvements that balance modern usability with design sensitivity. Our approach focuses on thoughtful planning, quality craftsmanship, and solutions that enhance the home without compromising its character.
Whether you’re updating a historic home or refining a more modern layout, we deliver remodeling work that is intentional, well-executed, and aligned with the unique nature of Berkeley homes.
Home remodeling in Berkeley, CA requires a careful understanding of architectural character, spatial flow, and long-term livability. Many homes in the area feature distinct design styles that benefit from thoughtful updates rather than full visual transformation.
At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we bring over 40 years of experience delivering remodeling work that balances modern functionality with respect for original design intent. Our approach prioritizes integration—ensuring that any updates feel naturally connected to the existing structure rather than imposed on it.
We focus on improving how homes function while preserving their architectural identity, resulting in spaces that feel both practical and authentic to their original character.
As a home remodeling contractor serving Berkeley, CA, we focus on improving residential spaces with careful attention to design integrity, functionality, and architectural continuity. Many homes in Berkeley benefit from thoughtful updates that enhance livability while preserving the character and intent of the original structure.
We also serve nearby East Bay communities, including Albany, Emeryville, and Oakland. These areas share a strong mix of architectural styles and renovation needs, and we tailor each project to ensure that improvements feel appropriate, cohesive, and well-integrated into the existing home design.
Whether you’re planning a kitchen remodel, bathroom renovation, or whole-home update, we focus on delivering carefully executed work that respects both structure and style.
Whether you want to make your home more livable for you and your loved ones or you are ready to sell and are hoping for top dollar, we would be pleased to offer you an estimate and to help you learn more about why you should put your Berkeley home in our capable hands. Call today for an appointment.
Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today and let our 40 years of Bay Area expertise turn your dream project into reality.
We remodel kitchens with a focus on blending modern usability with existing architectural style, ensuring updates feel integrated rather than intrusive.
Our bathroom renovations prioritize functional improvements, clean detailing, and design choices that align with the overall character of the home.
We approach full-home renovations as coordinated design updates, improving flow and livability while maintaining architectural consistency throughout the structure.
We refine interior spaces through targeted improvements—lighting, materials, layouts—that enhance usability while preserving original design intent.
We rework inefficient layouts carefully, ensuring changes support modern living needs without compromising the home’s original architectural language.
Since 1983, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights has proudly served the East Bay with dependable, high-quality residential remodeling. Our decades of experience mean we’ve seen nearly every type of home, layout, and construction challenge—especially in cities like Berkeley with a mix of older properties and newer builds. We understand local permitting, neighborhood styles, and homeowner expectations. This experience allows us to anticipate issues before they arise and deliver solutions that stand the test of time.
You deserve peace of mind when hiring a contractor. Our team is fully licensed in the state of California, bonded for your financial protection, and insured to cover every aspect of your project. We follow strict building codes, local safety requirements, and industry best practices to ensure that every project is done right, legally, and safely. When you hire Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, you’re working with professionals who stand behind their work.
Why juggle designers, architects, and contractors when you can work with one team from start to finish? Our design-build model means we handle every stage of your remodel—planning, permitting, designing, and building—under one roof. This integrated process reduces miscommunication, cuts down on delays, and helps control your budget. You’ll have a single point of contact throughout your entire project, simplifying the process and improving your experience.
We’re proud to be certified installers for top-tier brands like James Hardie siding, Grip-Tite foundation systems, and VELUX skylights. These certifications mean we meet rigorous training and installation standards, giving you added confidence in our workmanship. You’ll also benefit from manufacturer-backed warranties and the latest product innovations when you work with a certified contractor like us.
As a Bay Area company, we’re committed to sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact and support long-term efficiency. Whether we’re installing energy-efficient windows, using durable fiber cement siding, or upgrading insulation during a remodel, our team looks for ways to make your home greener and more cost-effective. Sustainability isn’t just a trend—it’s part of our core values.
Trust is everything in our industry. That’s why we’re proud that more than half of our new clients come to us through referrals from satisfied homeowners. Our clients know we show up when we say we will, we communicate clearly, and we treat their homes with respect. When neighbors in Berkeley recommend us to friends and family, we know we’ve done our job well. That reputation is what drives us, and we work hard every day to earn it.
Home remodeling in Berkeley requires a thoughtful and controlled process due to the architectural diversity and design sensitivity of many homes in the area. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we follow a structured approach that prioritizes planning, design alignment, and careful execution at every stage.
We begin by evaluating your home’s structure, layout, and design characteristics to understand how improvements can be made without compromising its integrity.
We develop a remodeling plan that respects the existing architectural style while improving function, flow, and usability cohesively.
Our team carries out construction with precision and care, ensuring that each change integrates smoothly with the home’s existing structure and design elements.
We complete a detailed walkthrough to ensure that all improvements feel cohesive, well-integrated, and aligned with the original design intent.
We’ve completed a range of home remodeling projects in Berkeley, CA, focused on improving functionality while respecting architectural character and original design intent. Many homes in the area require thoughtful adaptation rather than full redesign, and our work reflects that balance.
Each project is approached with attention to proportion, material compatibility, and design continuity—ensuring that updates feel natural within the existing structure.
We’ve updated kitchens in homes where preserving character was just as important as improving usability, resulting in functional spaces that still feel authentic to the home’s style.
Our bathroom remodels focus on modern functionality while maintaining material and design choices that align with the home’s original architectural tone.
We improve flow and livability across entire homes while ensuring that updates remain visually and structurally consistent with existing architecture.
We refine key elements such as trim, cabinetry, lighting, and finishes to enhance function while preserving the home’s design identity.
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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Home remodeling is a major investment, and Berkeley homeowners often have important questions before starting the process. To help you plan with confidence, we’ve answered the most common questions we hear from homeowners in Berkeley, CA, when working with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. These FAQs give you a clear understanding of what to expect, how our team works locally, and how we help create homes that are more functional, comfortable, and built to last.
We provide full-service home remodeling in Berkeley, including kitchen and bathroom remodels, whole-home renovations, room additions, garage conversions, siding upgrades, skylight installations, and structural improvements.
Yes. Berkeley has many older, historic, and hillside homes that require careful planning and specialized construction knowledge. We’re experienced in navigating structural considerations, accessibility challenges, and code requirements unique to Berkeley properties.
Yes. Our design-build approach allows us to manage the entire process — from design and planning to permitting and construction — creating a more efficient and coordinated remodeling experience.
Remodeling costs vary based on project scope, materials, and existing home conditions. Berkeley projects can range from targeted upgrades to full-home renovations. We provide clear, detailed estimates so you understand your investment before work begins.
Timelines depend on the size and complexity of the remodel. Smaller projects may take several weeks, while larger renovations or additions can take several months. We provide a realistic project schedule as part of the planning process.
Absolutely. We manage all necessary permits and coordinate inspections with the City of Berkeley to ensure your remodeling project complies with local building codes and regulations.
In many cases, yes. We work with Berkeley homeowners to phase construction when possible, minimize disruption, and maintain a safe and organized worksite throughout the project.
Getting started is easy. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights to schedule a free consultation. We’ll discuss your goals, assess your home, review budget and timeline options, and help you move forward with confidence.
If you’re planning a home remodeling project in Berkeley, CA, working with a contractor who understands architectural sensitivity and thoughtful design is essential to achieving results that feel natural, functional, and well-integrated. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we bring over 40 years of experience delivering carefully executed renovations that respect the character of each home while improving everyday livability.
Whether you’re updating a kitchen, remodeling a bathroom, or reworking your home’s layout, we focus on creating improvements that are cohesive, intentional, and built with long-term value in mind.
Let’s improve your home in a way that feels considered, balanced, and true to its original design.
Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today to schedule your consultation.