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…
In today’s homes, windows play a far greater role than simply letting in light—they influence energy efficiency, comfort, style, and the overall character of your living spaces. As homeowners commit to preserving the charm of their existing residences, high-quality window upgrades have become one of the most impactful ways to elevate both form and function.
Whether improving insulation, refreshing outdated frames, or customizing specialty window designs, the right installation ensures a timeless look that blends seamlessly with your home’s architecture. Beyond aesthetics, modern window technology can significantly reduce energy costs, improve ventilation, and increase the long-term value of your property.
With over 40 years of experience, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights is the trusted partner for window installation and replacement throughout the San Francisco and East Bay communities. Our team has worked with homes of every age and style, delivering elegant, durable, and energy-efficient window solutions tailored to each homeowner’s needs.
Over time, windows naturally age. They may become drafty, lose clarity, struggle to open, or simply no longer match the aesthetic of your home. Whether you’re looking to improve insulation, upgrade curb appeal, or replace deteriorating units, a professionally installed window system is a smart long-term investment.
Our process begins with understanding your goals—whether improving ventilation, maximizing light, lowering energy bills, or refreshing outdated frames. From there, we guide you through selecting the right materials, glazing, and window style to match your home’s architecture and your budget.
Energy-Efficient Solutions for Modern Living
We offer windows with top-tier energy performance, including:
These features work together to enhance comfort year-round while lowering energy costs—an essential benefit for Bay Area homes.
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!
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…
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We install all major residential window types, ensuring you get the best fit for your home’s architecture, lighting requirements, and energy-efficiency needs. Our options include:
If you’re unsure what style works best, we’ll guide you through options based on function, aesthetics, and budget.
Permits may be required depending on the scope of your project. You typically need a permit when:
For your convenience, we handle the full permitting process, including applications, engineering requirements (if needed), and final inspections to ensure your project meets all state and local building codes.
Most individual window replacements take only a few hours from start to finish. Larger projects, such as full-home window upgrades, may take anywhere from a few days to a full week depending on the number of windows, the materials selected, and the condition of the existing framing.
Yes, we work on older and historic homes throughout the Bay Area. These projects often require additional attention to outdated framing, hidden moisture damage, and structural adjustments. Our team specializes in bringing older homes up to current standards while preserving their original character.
New windows significantly improve your home’s energy performance. They minimize drafts, reduce heat transfer, block harmful UV rays, and provide better insulation. These improvements help lower utility bills, reduce noise pollution, and stabilize indoor temperatures throughout the year.
Yes, we provide fully custom window options. If your home has non-standard openings or unique architectural features, we can source and install windows built specifically for your required dimensions and aesthetic preferences.
We can enlarge existing openings or add entirely new windows to increase natural light and enhance the layout of your home. These modifications require proper engineering and permitting, all of which we manage to ensure safety and compliance.
The best way to get started is by scheduling a free estimate and consultation. During this visit, we assess your existing windows, discuss your goals, review any structural needs, and provide a clear and detailed plan for your installation or replacement project.