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…
Uneven floors, sticking doors, recurring wall cracks, and gaps around trim can raise concerns about the stability of your Piedmont home. These changes may develop slowly or become more noticeable after heavy rain, dry weather, remodeling, or other changes around the property. Although one symptom does not necessarily indicate a major structural problem, persistent or worsening signs should be professionally evaluated.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, Inc. provides professional house leveling services throughout Piedmont and the surrounding East Bay. Since 1983, our team has worked on Bay Area homes with different ages, layouts, foundation types, and architectural styles. We bring more than 40 years of construction experience to every project.
House leveling may involve correcting crawl-space supports, reinforcing floor framing, repairing deteriorated structural components, or stabilizing affected portions of a foundation. The right approach depends on the home’s construction, the extent of the movement, and the underlying conditions contributing to the problem.
Piedmont has many established homes that require a thoughtful, property-specific approach. Mature landscaping, sloped lots, older building materials, previous additions, moisture, and drainage may all affect the condition of a structure. Our team evaluates the accessible foundation and framing before recommending a suitable plan.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights also offers related services, including foundation repair, dry rot repair, concrete foundation work, retaining walls, French drains, seismic retrofitting, and basement waterproofing. This broad experience allows us to address connected structural and moisture concerns when necessary.
We provide clear recommendations, careful workmanship, and dependable communication from the initial evaluation through project completion. Our goal is to help restore stability while protecting the integrity, comfort, and long-term value of your home.
Restore confidence in your Piedmont property. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights to schedule a free house leveling estimate today.
A home does not need to appear severely tilted before it may need professional attention. House leveling concerns often begin with subtle changes, such as a floor that feels slightly uneven, a door that rubs against its frame, or a crack that returns after being repaired. When several symptoms appear together or continue to worsen, the home’s foundation or floor-support system may need to be evaluated.
Common warning signs include:
These symptoms can have several possible causes. Soil movement, moisture changes, poor drainage, plumbing leaks, dry rot, aging materials, inadequate supports, and earlier renovations may all contribute to uneven conditions. An addition may also respond differently from the original home if the two sections use different foundations or framing systems.
Because similar symptoms can result from different problems, the cause should not be assumed without an inspection. A sticking door may be related to humidity or hardware rather than structural movement. A wall crack may be cosmetic, while a pattern of widening cracks and sloped floors may warrant closer attention.
Scheduling an evaluation early can help you understand the condition before additional damage occurs. It may also prevent repeated spending on paint, flooring, plaster, or trim repairs that cover visible symptoms without correcting the underlying issue.
When you contact our team, explain what you have noticed, where the symptoms appear, and whether they have changed over time. Information about the home’s age, remodeling history, previous structural work, drainage concerns, or past leaks can also help guide the evaluation.
Do not let uncertainty about your home continue. Schedule a free estimate and receive clear guidance from our experienced Piedmont house leveling team.
House leveling requires careful evaluation, proper planning, and experience with foundations and structural framing. Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, Inc. has served San Francisco and East Bay homeowners since 1983. We bring more than 40 years of construction knowledge to house leveling projects throughout Piedmont.
Our team has worked on homes of different ages, styles, and structural designs. This experience helps us evaluate older properties as well as homes that have been remodeled or expanded over time.
Every house leveling project presents different conditions. We inspect accessible areas, listen to your concerns, and recommend a solution based on your property. The proposed work may involve floor framing, crawl-space supports, foundation stabilization, or related structural repairs.
Mares & Dow is licensed in California as a General Contractor and Electrical Contractor under license number 618118. Our broad construction knowledge helps us consider how structural work may affect other parts of your home.
We explain the conditions we observe, the work we recommend, and what you can expect during the project. You receive a detailed estimate before work begins.
Structural adjustments can affect floors, walls, doors, windows, utilities, and interior finishes. Our team carefully plans each project to minimize unnecessary disruption and protect the surrounding property. We approach your home with the same care and attention to detail we would give our own.
Some leveling problems are connected to foundation damage, dry rot, drainage, or moisture. Along with house leveling, we offer foundation repair, concrete foundation work, dry rot repair, French drains, retaining walls, seismic retrofitting, and basement waterproofing.
Choose proven Bay Area experience for your property. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights for a free house leveling estimate in Piedmont.
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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House leveling needs can vary based on a home’s age, foundation type, framing, accessibility, and extent of movement. Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights begins with a careful evaluation and develops a solution based on the conditions found at your Piedmont property.
We examine accessible areas of the foundation and floor-support system to identify visible settlement, deterioration, or inadequate support. We also consider sloped floors, recurring cracks, sticking doors, and other symptoms that may help determine the scope of the problem.
Some homes require correction in one room or section, while others have uneven conditions across multiple areas. Depending on the findings, we can develop a plan for localized or more extensive leveling. Adjustments are made carefully to reduce unnecessary stress on finishes and connected building components.
Uneven floors may result from damaged or poorly positioned posts, piers, beams, joists, or connections beneath the home. We can repair, reinforce, or replace affected components when appropriate and improve support based on the home’s structural requirements.
When foundation settlement or damage contributes to an uneven structure, house leveling may need to be combined with stabilization or foundation repair. The recommended approach depends on the foundation system, degree of movement, accessibility, and property conditions.
Sagging or weakened floor framing may require additional support or reinforcement. Our team evaluates joists, beams, and related components to determine whether damaged materials should be repaired or replaced as part of the leveling project.
Water intrusion, drainage problems, and dry rot can weaken structural materials and contribute to uneven floors. Mares & Dow also provides dry rot repair, French drains, basement waterproofing, retaining walls, concrete foundation work, and seismic retrofitting when related services are needed.
Get a house leveling solution tailored to your property. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights to request a free estimate in Piedmont.
Piedmont is a compact residential community surrounded by Oakland. Local areas are commonly identified by nearby streets, schools, parks, and landmarks rather than formally defined neighborhoods. Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights provides house leveling services throughout Piedmont, including central properties, hillside homes, and residences near the city’s boundaries.
We serve homes near Highland Avenue, Vista Avenue, Piedmont Park, Exedra Plaza, and the city’s civic buildings. This central area includes many established residences with distinctive architecture and original materials that require careful attention during structural work.
Our service area includes properties along Wildwood Avenue, Crocker Avenue, and nearby residential streets. Homes near Crocker Park often feature mature landscaping and varied elevations that should be considered when evaluating drainage, settlement, and structural support.
We work with homeowners near Hampton Road, St. James Drive, La Salle Avenue, and Piedmont Sports Field. Because lot elevations and home configurations vary in this part of Piedmont, each property receives an individual evaluation.
Homes near Moraga Avenue, Blair Park, Coaches Field, Red Rock Road, and Maxwelton Road may sit on or near sloped terrain. Assessments in these areas may include consideration of drainage, retaining conditions, site access, and foundation configuration.
We serve residences surrounding Dracena Avenue and Dracena Quarry Park. The area’s elevation changes and established homes make property-specific evaluation important when floors become uneven or other signs of structural movement appear.
Our team also works near Linda Avenue, Grand Avenue, Beach Playfield, and Piedmont’s western boundary. Whether a property is close to the Oakland border or located farther inside Piedmont, we tailor our recommendations to its construction and current condition.
We serve homeowners throughout Piedmont. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights to confirm service for your address and request a free estimate.
House leveling problems may develop because of settlement, weakened framing, moisture, drainage issues, or inadequate support. Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights evaluates the visible symptoms and accessible structure before recommending repairs for your Piedmont home.
Foundation movement, damaged supports, weakened framing, or differences between the original home and a later addition can cause floors to slope. We evaluate the affected areas to determine the likely source and extent of the problem.
Floor joists and support beams may weaken or deflect because of age, moisture, long spans, or changing loads. Repairs may involve reinforcing or replacing damaged materials and improving support beneath the floor.
Posts, piers, beams, footings, and connections inside a crawl space can deteriorate or shift over time. Previous alterations may also create uneven support that affects the floors above.
Changes in soil moisture, poor drainage, aging construction, and site conditions may contribute to foundation movement. Because several problems can produce similar symptoms, an inspection is needed before selecting a repair method.
Plumbing leaks, water intrusion, and persistent crawl-space moisture can weaken structural wood. Any active moisture source and damaged materials may need attention as part of a lasting solution.
Doors, windows, walls, and ceilings may show signs of structural movement. Sticking openings or recurring cracks do not confirm a foundation problem by themselves, but they should be evaluated when they appear alongside uneven floors or other changes.
Do not continue covering symptoms without checking their cause. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights for a free house leveling estimate in Piedmont.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, Inc. has served San Francisco and East Bay homeowners since 1983. Our more than 40 years of construction experience helps us understand the careful planning required to level and stabilize Piedmont homes.
Longtime partners Archie Mares and Dennis Dow bring complementary experience to every project. Archie has a background in electrical work, concrete, foundations, and residential and commercial construction. Dennis is a carpenter by trade with extensive experience in project planning, construction management, and homebuilding.
This broad expertise helps our team evaluate how foundations, crawl-space supports, floor framing, moisture, drainage, and previous alterations may contribute to uneven conditions. We consider the entire structure before recommending an appropriate solution.
Mares & Dow is licensed in California as a General Contractor and Electrical Contractor under license number 618118. We emphasize clear communication, careful workmanship, and respect for your property throughout the project.
Choose more than 40 years of Bay Area experience. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights for a free house leveling estimate in Piedmont.
Uneven floors, recurring cracks, or sticking doors can be concerning, but avoid making assumptions or attempting structural adjustments yourself. Take these practical steps to document the problem and arrange a professional evaluation.
Photograph cracks, gaps, uneven flooring, and other visible symptoms. Record when you first noticed them and whether they appear to be growing or spreading. This information can help establish a timeline.
Look for plumbing leaks, standing water, damaged gutters, blocked drainage paths, or downspouts releasing water near the foundation. Do not enter crawl spaces or other areas that appear unsafe.
Patching cracks or adjusting doors may hide signs that can help identify the underlying problem. Wait until the structure has been evaluated before completing cosmetic repairs.
Trying to lift floors or adjust structural supports without proper equipment and planning can damage framing, finishes, plumbing, and electrical components. House leveling should be performed by qualified professionals.
Tell the contractor where you have noticed changes and whether your home has undergone previous remodeling, foundation work, or drainage repairs. After examining the accessible structure, the contractor can explain the likely cause and recommend appropriate next steps.
Take action before the symptoms become more extensive. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights for a free house leveling estimate in Piedmont.
House leveling is the process of correcting uneven portions of a home and addressing the support conditions responsible for them. Depending on the property, the work may involve the foundation, crawl-space supports, beams, joists, or several connected components.
Common signs include sloping floors, sticking doors, misaligned windows, recurring cracks, and gaps around walls or trim. Because these symptoms can have different causes, a professional evaluation is needed to determine whether house leveling is appropriate.
Possible causes include foundation settlement, soil movement, poor drainage, moisture damage, dry rot, weakened framing, or inadequate supports. Previous additions and remodeling may also affect how weight is distributed throughout the structure.
Many older homes can be leveled or stabilized, but the appropriate solution depends on their construction and current condition. The foundation type, framing, previous alterations, structural materials, and accessibility must be evaluated first.
No. Some projects involve only one room or section of the home. Others may require broader stabilization or correction, depending on the location and extent of the unevenness.
Leveling may improve some symptoms, but existing cosmetic damage does not always correct itself. Drywall, plaster, tile, trim, doors, or windows may require separate repairs or adjustments after the structural work is completed.
The timeline depends on the size of the affected area, accessibility, foundation type, required repairs, and overall project complexity. A contractor can provide a more accurate schedule after evaluating the property.
Some homeowners can remain in their homes during limited leveling work. More extensive projects or work affecting utilities and occupied areas may require temporary access restrictions. The contractor should explain what to expect before work begins.
The appropriate approach depends on the cause and extent of the unevenness, the home’s foundation and framing, site access, structural conditions, and any related moisture or drainage problems. Mares & Dow can recommend a suitable solution after evaluating the property.
Cost depends on the affected area, structural conditions, access, repair method, materials, labor, and related work. An on-site evaluation is necessary to prepare an estimate based on your home’s actual needs.
Have questions about your home’s condition? Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights for clear guidance and a free estimate.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights provides house leveling services throughout Piedmont and the wider San Francisco Bay Area. Whether your home is near Piedmont Park, Moraga Avenue, Dracena Quarry Park, or the Oakland border, our team can evaluate your structural concerns and recommend appropriate next steps.
We also serve homeowners in nearby and surrounding communities, including:
Our regional experience includes homes with varied terrain, older construction, previous additions, moisture exposure, and complex structural layouts. Every property receives an individual evaluation based on its construction, current condition, and specific repair needs.
Find experienced structural help near you. Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights to confirm service for your address and request a free estimate.
Uneven floors, recurring cracks, sticking doors, and sagging areas may indicate a problem with your home’s foundation or structural support. A professional evaluation can help identify the cause and determine whether leveling or related repairs are needed.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, Inc. provides dependable house leveling services throughout Piedmont and the East Bay. With more than 40 years of experience, we understand how to evaluate homes with different ages, architectural styles, foundation types, and site conditions.
Our team inspects accessible areas, clearly explains what we observe, and recommends work based on your property’s actual needs. When necessary, we can coordinate house leveling with foundation repair, framing reinforcement, dry rot repair, drainage improvements, or waterproofing.
Ready to bring your vision to life? Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today and let our 40 years of Bay Area expertise turn your dream project into reality. Contact us!
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute a structural assessment, engineering advice, or a guarantee that house leveling is appropriate for a specific property. Conditions vary among Piedmont homes based on factors such as construction, age, foundation type, soil, drainage, moisture, and previous alterations. An on-site evaluation is necessary before recommending repairs, estimating costs, or determining whether permits, engineering, or additional professional services may be required. Results and project timelines vary according to the condition and scope of each property.