Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc.

If your property could benefit from remodeling, or you have a structural problem that needs to be fixed, finding an experienced general contractor that can deliver dependable results on your project is absolutely essential. With more than three decades of successful trading behind us, we are an established building firm that has worked on jobs of all shapes and sizes. Our wide range of trade expertise and commitment to doing the very best job possible ensures we’re the preferred residential general contractors for many local homes. With a wealth of expertise for over 40 years, Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights is your reliable partner in home remodeling. We’ve worked with residences of various ages and architectural styles, and we’re dedicated to helping you create exquisite and energy-efficient home renovations. LEARN MORE Whether you want a new deck, a retaining wall, or need foundation repair or basement waterproofing, you want a general contractor with experience and integrity. Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights offers both, with over 40 years experience and great reviews, you can be sure your project is completed efficiently and on time. LEARN MORE You can't go wrong with your commercial or residential skylight installation or replacement project if you go with Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. As a VELUX 5-Star Skylight Specialist, we offer many innovative and high-quality skylight solutions that can impact your property’s lighting and ambiance. LEARN MORE We can work on homes, domestic properties, and most business premises, providing a responsive remodeling service that enables you to transform your workspace to better meet your business needs. To find out more about our wide range of services, or to discuss your project with us in more detail, you can call us at (925) 671-9500 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. 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.

John Bernhelm
2 Star
I had a poor overall experience working with Mares & Dow to install two Velux skylights on our home. Their quote came in lower than the only contractor I had worked with before, and since they were skylight specialists, I gave them a shot. I scheduled the job early this summer, but work didn't begin until two months after the time initially quoted. A couple of days into the job, after the interior drywall was removed, the team found unexpected wood rot in the decking under the roof (totally not M&D's fault, previous owners had re-roofed over bad decking), but M&D could not handle the repair and could not get their roofing partner to come in for a quote, so the job stalled for over two months with very poor communication. I had to fire M&D from the job and bring in another contractor to fix the roof spot and install the skylights since they offered no solution. The Good: - I had initially purchased the wrong kind of skylights (wrong mounting style) and on my first call to Mares & Dow, they pointed me in the right direction. I returned those to Home Depot and they purchased the right ones for me. Saved me some $$$ and headaches, thanks! - When it was clear that I was firing them from the job, they were very polite, quickly removed their scaffolding and were paid for the work completed so far. - Jimmy was knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with on the initial demo. The Bad: - I had to call them repeatedly for information. I'd be told "Oh, we'll call you later today with scheduling information" and I'd never get a call back. I felt like I only saw movement when I called 3-4+ times a week, the office line, personal cell numbers, etc. Their follow-through and inter-office communication about what was happening was really poor. - Job start was constantly pushed back from August to October. - When complications arose, M&D were not able to move forward, nor were they able to bring in a roofing partner to help, many requests for quotes for options were ignored. - When job cleanup was happening, I asked the team repeatedly to not block our one-way road with their truck, but was not listened to, pissing off some of my neighbors. I wish I would have paid the extra $ to have the other contractor do the job from the beginning instead of starting it with M&D and having to switch when they couldn't provide the support needed to do the roofing part, wasting $, months of time, and hours of my time calling to get info.
Monday 21st February 2022

Colin Glassey
5 Star
I have used Mares and Dow in two of our house skylight projects. Once in 2018 and again in 2019. Both times their skylight evaluation technician came and measured and made a recommendation. That process was easy and professional. The installation, when the skylight was manufactured, was equally professional, rapid and well done. I would recommend Mares and Dow to anyone with skylights that need to be replaced with new state-of-the-art UV and infra-red resistant skylights. They look just like glass but they work perfectly.
Monday 3rd June 2019

Michelle Schrader
5 Star
Jimmy installed a skylight in our kitchen. They were tidy and even painted some trim. We are very happy with the service and the work that was performed. I highly recommend Mares & Dow and will use them again if occasion arises.
Friday 12th June 2020

Romy Gongora
5 Star
We had two skylights installed in our home. The crew was on time, very professional, and very hard-working. The skylights are beautiful! We could not be happier!
Friday 12th June 2020

Stephen X
5 Star
Excellent communication. Great professional and experienced crew. A project well done. Thanks to the entire Mares & Dow team.
Tuesday 4th June 2019