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 El Cerrito, CA, is often about improving older homes with smarter layouts, updated finishes, and more efficient use of space. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we bring over 40 years of experience helping homeowners modernize their homes through thoughtful, well-planned renovations.
We specialize in kitchen remodeling, bathroom upgrades, and full-home improvements that focus on functionality, comfort, and long-term value. Our approach is grounded in practical design, quality craftsmanship, and solutions that fit the scale and character of your home.
Whether you’re updating a single room or planning a larger renovation, we deliver remodeling work that improves how your home looks, feels, and functions every day.
Home remodeling in El Cerrito, CA often focuses on improving the efficiency, functionality, and usability of existing homes without changing their overall footprint. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we bring over 40 years of experience helping homeowners upgrade older and compact homes through practical, well-designed improvements.
Our approach emphasizes making better use of existing space—improving layouts, reducing wasted areas, and updating outdated designs to better support modern living. Rather than expanding outward, we focus on refining what’s already there to create homes that feel more open, organized, and comfortable.
Every project is planned with attention to efficiency, durability, and long-term livability, ensuring that improvements are both functional and easy to maintain over time.
As a home remodeling contractor serving El Cerrito, CA, we help homeowners improve the functionality, flow, and efficiency of their homes through thoughtful and practical renovations. Many homes in the area benefit from better layouts, updated interiors, and smarter use of existing space, and our work is designed to deliver meaningful improvements without unnecessary expansion.
We also serve nearby East Bay communities, including Richmond, Albany, Kensington, and Berkeley. Each area has its own housing style and space constraints, and we tailor our remodeling approach to ensure every project improves usability, comfort, and long-term value.
Whether you’re planning a kitchen update, bathroom remodel, or full-home improvement, we focus on delivering efficient, well-organized, and high-quality results.
What improvements would make your house feel more like home? Let’s discover the possibilities together. Call Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today to schedule your free, no-obligation in-home estimate in El Cerrito. We’re ready to bring your remodeling project to life with expert craftsmanship you can count on.
Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today and let our 40 years of Bay Area expertise turn your dream project into reality.
We redesign kitchens to improve workflow, increase storage efficiency, and modernize outdated layouts to make cooking and daily use more practical and enjoyable.
Our bathroom remodeling services focus on upgrading older bathrooms with better layouts, space-saving solutions, and durable, easy-to-maintain materials.
We help homeowners improve the overall flow and usability of their home by reworking inefficient layouts and updating key living areas for better day-to-day function.
Many El Cerrito homes benefit from smarter use of limited space. We specialize in reconfiguring layouts to reduce wasted areas and improve storage, movement, and functionality.
We update outdated interiors with modern materials, improved lighting, and more efficient layouts that enhance comfort and usability without major structural expansion.
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 El Cerrito 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 El Cerrito 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 El Cerrito requires a careful, efficient process—especially when working within compact homes where space and functionality are critical. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we follow a structured approach designed to improve your home while minimizing disruption to your daily life.
We evaluate your home’s current layout, identify inefficiencies, and discuss practical goals for improving function, flow, and usability.
We develop a clear plan that prioritizes space optimization, layout improvements, and smart material selection before any construction begins.
Our team works in a structured, organized manner to ensure steady progress while maintaining a clean, efficient, and minimally disruptive job site.
We complete a detailed review to ensure every improvement functions properly, aligns with the plan, and enhances overall home usability.
We’ve completed a range of home remodeling projects in El Cerrito, CA, and surrounding East Bay communities, focusing on improving efficiency, usability, and overall comfort in compact and older homes. Many of these projects involve rethinking layouts, upgrading key living areas, and making better use of limited square footage.
Our work is centered on practical improvements that make homes easier to live in every day—without unnecessary expansion or overcomplication.
We’ve redesigned kitchens to improve workflow, increase storage efficiency, and create more functional layouts for everyday cooking and living.
Our bathroom remodels focus on improving layout efficiency, upgrading outdated finishes, and maximizing comfort in smaller footprints.
We’ve helped homeowners improve overall flow and usability by reworking inefficient layouts and modernizing key living spaces.
We specialize in transforming compact areas into highly functional spaces through smarter layouts, better storage solutions, and improved design flow.
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 El Cerrito 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 El Cerrito, CA, when working with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. These FAQs provide 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 El Cerrito, including kitchen and bathroom remodels, whole-home renovations, room additions, garage conversions, siding upgrades, skylight installations, and structural improvements.
Yes. El Cerrito has many older and hillside properties that require careful planning and specialized construction techniques. We’re experienced in handling structural challenges, preserving character, and bringing homes up to current building codes.
Absolutely. Our design-build approach allows us to manage the project from initial design and planning through permitting and construction, providing a streamlined remodeling experience.
Costs vary depending on project scope, materials, and existing home conditions. El Cerrito remodeling projects can range from smaller updates to full-home renovations. We provide clear, detailed estimates so you know what to expect before construction begins.
Project timelines depend on the scope and complexity of the remodel. Smaller projects may take a few weeks, while larger renovations or additions can take several months. We provide a realistic timeline before work begins.
Yes. We manage all required permits and coordinate inspections with the City of El Cerrito to ensure your remodeling project meets local building codes and regulations.
In many cases, yes. We work with homeowners to phase construction and minimize disruption, allowing you to stay in your home safely throughout the remodeling process.
Getting started is simple. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review your goals, evaluate your home, discuss budget and timeline options, and help you move forward with confidence.
If you’re planning a home remodeling project in El Cerrito, CA, working with an experienced contractor who understands how to improve smaller and older homes can make a major difference in both function and comfort. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we bring over 40 years of experience helping homeowners make the most of their existing space through practical, well-planned renovations.
Whether you’re updating a kitchen, remodeling a bathroom, or improving the overall layout of your home, we focus on delivering efficient solutions that enhance usability, comfort, and long-term value.
Let’s improve the way your home works—so every space feels more functional, efficient, and comfortable.
Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today to schedule your consultation.