Before You Begin Design of Your New Home, Addition, or Exterior Structure Check to make sure your proposed project is in compliance with your neighborhood covenants and homeowner's group. Find out how your property is zoned and if you are in a special district, historic neighborhood, or planned development that has legal limitations for the types of projects structures permissable to design and construct. Examine houses in your neighborhood that have additions or renovations. Notice which additions compliment the original character of the house and neighborhood, which do not and why. Consider your neighborhood’s character and style. Respect the original design of your house and take advantage of existing architectural features.

Designing Your Project Create a detailed construction plan for your project. Detailed plans enable contractors to prepare a complete and accurate cost estimate and may speed the permit process. To obtain more details about plan specifications and submittal requirements for more complex projects like the construction of a single-family home or duplex, major additions, or attic conversions, click here. Refer to specification information provided on this Web site for your specific project type. To learn more you can choose from a list of projects by clicking here.

Selecting Your Contractor  Use licensed contractors to make sure qualified persons perform work. Verify a contractor’s Denver license on this website. Check out your contractor. Get references and use the Better Business Bureau, www.denverbbb.org. Avoid contractors demanding full payment up front without doing any work.  Deposits for materials are commonly required. For more contract tips and information about how to select a contractor, click here.

Managing Your Project Notify your neighbors about your improvements at least two days before the dumpsters, trucks and workers arrive. Have a written contract detailing the work to be performed, cost associated with each task and timeframe with estimated start and finish dates. Sign a contract that protects against liens from subcontractors. Always get a receipt for payments made to contractors. Make payments to your contractor only when you get something in return, such as materials delivered to your address. Before each payment, ask for a walk through with the contractor explaining the work done so far and what will happen next. Never pay in full until the job is complete, has been inspected and the building permit has been closed. Check on the project frequently to make sure everything is being done as planned.

Protect Yourself With Building Permits Have your contractor pull a permit. The permit holder is responsible for compliance with the Building Code. Permits add value to your project and and require that inspections be performed to verify that work was done correctly. Permits protect the resale of your home.

Be a Good Neighbor During Construction Construction noise is prohibited seven days a week after 9 p.m. and before 7 a.m.  Construction noise is exempt from the general daytime noise limit of 55 decibels. Construction noise would include deliveries, hammering and power equipment. Limit and control radio noise.  A loud radio at a construction site is not considered construction noise. To avoid violations, continue to maintain the job site by cutting the lawn, trimming vegetation and keeping the site free of litter and windblown debris. Cover the dumpster with a tarp bound by cord to contain dust and debris and to control unauthorized use of the dumpster. Alleys and vacant lots are not acceptable dumping areas. Contractors should not use residential dumpsters and neighbors may not use dumpsters at the construction site. Park construction vehicles off-street if possible. Turn off engines unless operating other equipment. The construction crew may park cars and trucks on your street as long as they observe all parking restrictions on posted signs and do not leave a vehicle parked for over 72 hours. A street occupancy permit is required when a dumpster, storage pod, or other obstruction is placed in the public right-of-way.  If your construction causes damage to your neighbor’s property, it is a matter of civil law and needs to be handled by the contractor and your neighbor.

Inspection Be at home when the final inspection is scheduled. If an adult is not home for the final inspection, a re-inspection will need to be issued.