General contractor · San Francisco, CA · reviewed since 2019
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 69%88+60.9Reliability 31%69+21.2Craft & service penalty21−7.9Experts Score= 74Not enough data for value, replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.74SCORE
BGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#29 of 40 deck contractorsiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 28%
4.9★★★★★24 Google reviews · 10 photos
96%five-star reviews
5.00★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
5%1–2★, last 20 reviewsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc. at a glance
Google reviewers rate the company 4.9 out of 5 based on 24 reviews, with the owner not responding to any comments. Customers frequently praise the team's professionalism, punctuality, and clear communication during skylight installations and home remodels. Many note that the firm offers fair pricing and handles project details meticulously, including cleanup and careful home care. The primary criticism in lower-rated feedback involves significant delays in starting work compared to the initial schedule, despite the generally positive sentiment regarding the final quality of the construction.
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 24 reviews (96% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 24 Google reviews (22 with written comments, 1 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 0% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 17, 2026.
Service: Deck Contractor serving San Francisco, California.
Data from Google, last updated November 1, 2026.
Score profile vs other deck contractors
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and satisfaction; weakest: craft & service.
This companyDeck Contractors median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc.: 88/100 on this factor. Category median: 88.A
88
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc.: 69/100 on this factor. Category median: 87.B
69
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc.: 21/100 on this factor. Category median: 88.D
21
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 98.–
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MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights Inc.: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 44.–
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Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
24 Google reviews we collected
4.9of 5
5 stars2396%
4 stars00%
3 stars00%
2 stars14%
1 star00%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 22 written reviews
96%praise
Praise4596%
Complaints24%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
7topics
Staff & attitude1328%
Would recommend817%
Speed & response715%
Quality & results613%
Price & value613%
Communication511%
Honesty & trust24%
What customers talk about
We read 22 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“Jimmy and his team were very professional, and went above and beyond most contractors in caring for our house while they did their work.”
“We will absolutely use them for future projects and can recommend them without reservation.”
“When installing, Jimmy and his team were super easy to work with — prompt, personable, thoughtful about protecting floors, countertops, etc.”
“Excellent service, professional workers and quality work.”
“The pricing was very fair for the quality of the work and materials.”
“They helped us pick the right model, answered all our questions, and were transparent about pricing from the start.”
“Their staff is trustworthy, honest and transparent.”
People customers mention
Velux3 reviews
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Recent reviews
RRachelLocal Guide · 49 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
Mares & Dow just put two skylights in my living room, and they are absolutely gorgeous. Jimmy and his team were very professional, and went above and beyond most contractors in caring for our house while they did their work. I've worked with a lot of contractors, and can only recommend a handful of them. Mares & Dow…
EEddie11 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
we recently had to have some skylights in our home repaired and replaced. Mares & Dow gave us a fair estimate and ordered the parts. The installation went smoothly and the workers were kind and considerate. I would definitely consider them for future work.
Eelisa5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
Great service. Meticulous to detail. Guided me in the right direction. Replacing 40 year old skylights in a loft in SF is not an easy task. Thank you for all you help!
PPam2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
We recently needed to replace our skylight and used Mares and Dow. Working with them from initial contact to project completion was seamless. Because our house is older we have completely remodeled it, using many firms in the process. Mares and Dow was the easiest to work with and the quality of work was tops! We…
DDianeLocal Guide · 18 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
Mares & Dow is a wonderful company we have used for multiple projects over several years in various locations. They are a first class contracting firm. We have worked with Archie Mares and Dennis Dow and their staff on small and large contracts - from installing decking at a home on SF Bay, to remodeling an entire…
DDavid9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a year ago★★★★★
While we had to wait for special order materials, it was worth waiting for our three skylights. Expertly installed. Made a huge difference right away. Very pleased and I would recommend enthusiastically. Dave
Mares & Dow just put two skylights in my living room, and they are absolutely gorgeous. Jimmy and his team were very professional, and went above and beyond most contractors in caring for our house while they did their work. I've worked with a lot of contractors, and can only recommend a handful of them. Mares & Dow is one of them. They care about doing their job well and they were a pleasure to work with.
L
Laura Tennant10 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Laura has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We have a 1910 Craftsman that had a glass atrium ceiling installed on the sleeping porch in the 1960's that kept cracking and the flat pitch meant it was perpetually dirty. We didn't know how to fix the problem until Jimmy came by to take a look. He felt confident that he could fix the pitch and install new Velux skylights. He came up with a really beautiful and creative design that is more architecturally appropriate and better insulated. Jimmy, Alberto and the whole team are hard-working, dedicated, and highly skilled. We were impressed by how well they protected our living space during the work. They also replaced 3 other skylights in other parts of our home, including a tricky sun tunnel. They are a family run business that clearly takes great pride in their work. If it takes a little while to schedule due to ordering the skylights or weather, it is well worth the wait. The pricing was very fair for the quality of the work and materials.
E
Eddie Neffinger11 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Eddie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
we recently had to have some skylights in our home repaired and replaced. Mares & Dow gave us a fair estimate and ordered the parts. The installation went smoothly and the workers were kind and considerate. I would definitely consider them for future work.
E
elisa cicinelli5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews elisa has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Great service. Meticulous to detail. Guided me in the right direction. Replacing 40 year old skylights in a loft in SF is not an easy task. Thank you for all you help!
P
Pam Docherty2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Pam has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We recently needed to replace our skylight and used Mares and Dow. Working with them from initial contact to project completion was seamless. Because our house is older we have completely remodeled it, using many firms in the process. Mares and Dow was the easiest to work with and the quality of work was tops! We will absolutely use them for future projects and can recommend them without reservation.
D
Diane BergmenLocal Guide · 18 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Diane has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Mares & Dow is a wonderful company we have used for multiple projects over several years in various locations. They are a first class contracting firm. We have worked with Archie Mares and Dennis Dow and their staff on small and large contracts - from installing decking at a home on SF Bay, to remodeling an entire condo. Recently, they provided an estimate to remodel a new property. The staff of Mares & Dow consists of skilled experts in all phases of construction. Their staff is trustworthy, honest and transparent. If you are looking for a first-class contracting business, Mares & Dow is the absolute best you can find!!!
D
David Hewitt9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews David has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
While we had to wait for special order materials, it was worth waiting for our three skylights. Expertly installed. Made a huge difference right away. Very pleased and I would recommend enthusiastically. Dave
E
Earl Bergmen4 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Earl has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
We had an excellent experience working with Mares & Dow to replace a very old, deteriorating, non-Velux skylight. A family business, Janet, Jimmy and their team are knowledgeable, seasoned and helpful. They steered us to the proper replacement and pointed out the installation issues on our older roof. When installing, Jimmy and his team were super easy to work with — prompt, personable, thoughtful about protecting floors, countertops, etc. and expert at their work. A total pleasure all around. Highly recommend.
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wendy mascitto2 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews wendy has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Mares & Dow did 2 projects for me. I was extremely happy with the finished products. Any issues that arose were discussed and resolved. They do a professional and thorough job.
