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 Hercules, CA is often about making your space work better—whether that means improving layout, adding square footage, or upgrading outdated areas. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we bring over 40 years of experience helping homeowners transform their homes into more functional, comfortable, and efficient living environments.
From kitchen remodels and bathroom upgrades to home additions and full-home renovations, our approach is centered on thoughtful planning, quality craftsmanship, and practical improvements that support your daily lifestyle.
Whether your goal is to create more space, improve flow, or modernize your home, we deliver remodeling solutions that are well-executed, efficient, and built for long-term value.
Home remodeling in Hercules, CA often focuses on improving how a home supports everyday living—whether that means creating more usable space, improving layout efficiency, or updating older finishes to better match current needs. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we bring over 40 years of experience helping homeowners make thoughtful, functional improvements that increase comfort and long-term value.
Our approach is centered on real-life usability. We evaluate how each space is used, identify limitations in the existing layout, and develop practical solutions that make the home easier to live in as needs change over time.
From targeted upgrades to larger renovation projects, we focus on clear planning, dependable execution, and results that improve both function and livability without unnecessary complexity.
As a home remodeling contractor serving Hercules, CA, we help homeowners improve space, functionality, and long-term livability through thoughtful and practical renovations. Many homes in Hercules are designed for efficiency, and our work focuses on helping those spaces adapt as household needs change over time.
We also serve nearby East Bay communities, including Pinole, Rodeo, Richmond, and Vallejo. Each area has its own housing styles and renovation needs, and we tailor our approach to ensure every project delivers practical improvements that fit both the home and the homeowner’s goals.
Whether you’re planning a home addition, kitchen update, bathroom remodel, or full-home renovation, we focus on delivering organized, efficient, and reliable results from start to finish.
What would make your home feel more comfortable, stylish, or functional? Let’s find out together. Call Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today to schedule your free, no-obligation in-home estimate in Hercules. We’re ready to bring your remodeling project to life with expert care and lasting results.
Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today and let our 40 years of Bay Area expertise turn your dream project into reality.
We improve kitchen layouts to create more usable space, better workflow, and updated functionality that supports everyday family life and entertaining.
Our bathroom remodeling services focus on improving comfort, increasing efficiency, and upgrading older spaces with durable, modern materials.
We help homeowners reconfigure and upgrade their entire home to improve flow, maximize space, and better support changing household needs.
Home additions are one of the most common needs in Hercules. We design and build expansions that integrate seamlessly with your existing home while adding meaningful, functional space.
Many Hercules homes benefit from converting or reworking underused areas. We help transform garages or unused rooms into functional living spaces that increase usability without moving homes.
Home remodeling in Hercules requires a contractor who understands how to create more usable space, improve functionality, and deliver reliable results as household needs evolve.
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 Hercules 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 Hercules 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 Hercules often involves improving space, reworking layouts, or adding new areas to better support changing household needs. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we follow a clear and structured process designed to keep your project organized, efficient, and minimally disruptive from start to finish.
We begin by assessing your home, understanding how your space is currently used, and identifying opportunities for improvement or expansion.
We develop a detailed plan that outlines layout changes, addition possibilities, and material direction. This ensures all decisions are made before construction begins.
Our team manages construction with a focus on efficiency, coordination, and consistent progress—especially for additions and structural improvements.
We conduct a detailed walkthrough to ensure all work meets expectations and functions properly within the expanded or improved space.
We’ve completed a variety of home remodeling projects in Hercules, CA, and surrounding East Bay communities, helping homeowners improve space, functionality, and overall livability. Many of these projects focus on expanding usable areas, reworking layouts, and making homes better suited for growing or changing household needs.
Each project is approached with careful planning and a focus on practical results that improve how the home functions day to day.
We’ve completed home additions that increase livable space while ensuring seamless integration with the existing structure and layout.
Our kitchen remodels focus on improving workflow, increasing usable space, and modernizing older layouts for better everyday function.
We upgrade bathrooms with improved layouts, durable materials, and efficient use of space to enhance comfort and usability.
We transform underused areas into functional living spaces, helping homeowners maximize the value and usability of their existing home.
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 Hercules 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 Hercules, 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 Hercules, including kitchen and bathroom remodels, whole-home renovations, room additions, garage conversions, siding upgrades, skylight installations, and structural improvements.
Yes. Hercules has many older suburban homes as well as newer developments. We’re experienced in updating layouts, improving energy efficiency, and modernizing finishes while maintaining the home’s integrity and style.
Absolutely. Our design-build approach allows us to manage your project from initial design and planning through permitting and construction, ensuring a smooth and coordinated remodeling experience.
Remodeling costs vary depending on project scope, materials, and existing home conditions. Hercules projects can range from smaller upgrades to full-home renovations. We provide detailed, transparent estimates so you know what to expect before work begins.
Timelines depend on the size and complexity of the remodel. Smaller projects may take a few weeks, while larger renovations or additions may take several months. We provide a clear project schedule before construction starts.
Yes. We manage all required permits and coordinate inspections with the City of Hercules to ensure your remodeling project meets local building codes and regulations.
In many cases, yes. We work with Hercules homeowners to phase construction and minimize disruption, allowing you to remain in your home safely throughout the project.
Getting started is easy. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights to schedule a free consultation. We’ll discuss your goals, evaluate your home, review budget and timeline options, and help you move forward with confidence.
If you’re planning a home remodeling project in Hercules, CA, working with an experienced contractor can help you make the most of your existing space or create the additional room your household needs. At Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, we bring over 40 years of experience helping homeowners improve functionality, expand livable space, and modernize their homes with practical, well-executed solutions.
Whether you’re considering a home addition, kitchen upgrade, bathroom remodel, or full-home renovation, we focus on delivering organized planning, clear communication, and dependable construction from start to finish.
Let’s build a home that gives you more space, better flow, and the flexibility your lifestyle needs.
Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today to schedule your consultation.