The 10 Best Denver, CO General Contractors

General construction contractors in Colorado are not licensed by the state. However, you must hire a contractor licensed by the city of Denver for most construction and home renovation work that requires a permit, unless you will perform the work yourself under the limited circumstances in which it is allowed.

The Denver Department of Community Planning and Development licensed three relevant classes of contractors: general contractors, building contractors and residential contractors. Depending on the license class, contractors must have 7, 4 or 2 years, respectively, of proven relevant work experience. Applicants must pass an examination of relevant skills and building codes. To become certified as a contractor by the city, an individual must first get a supervisor certification, or employ a supervisor certificate holder. Contractors must pay a fee of and renew their license every three years for $250.

Although state law does not require licensed contractors to carry general liability or workers' compensation insurance, it is highly recommended that you only hire contractors who have active policies of each. It is highly recommended that you get a copy of each insurance certificate for your records before any work begins.

Although it is not statutorily required, many contractors in Denver provide a one year warranty on material and labor. You should check with your contractor to verify the extent of any warranty extended to you.

Most building projects in Denver, including new construction, remodeling and repairs, will require general construction permits. Permits are always required for alterations to existing floor plans and all structural changes, such as the addition or removal of doors or windows. Any work done without a permit when one is required puts you at risk for citation, increased permit fees, the forced removal of such work, problems selling your home in the future and the risk that homeowners insurance won’t cover any harm that results from the non-permitted construction. If you are unsure if your project requires a permit, contact the Denver Development Services at 720.865.2705.

Denver Development Services is responsible for issuing building permits and protecting public safety by ensuring that projects comply with applicable codes and ordinances. Other than in limited situations where homeowners are performing the work themselves, contractors are responsible for taking out permits. Development Services provides guidance on the the permitting process, including detailed online permitting guides for most common home improvement projects. Most projects in Denver require a plan review to get a permit. Depending on the complexity, this can be done the same day, or require that plans be logged in with the department for further review. Some projects not requiring plan review can acquire permits electronically within a few days. More details are available on the Denver Development Services’s website.

Contractors in Denver are not required to hold a bond to work on residential properties. However, consumers can file complaints with the Colorado Attorney General's Department of Consumer Protection for any dishonest or incompetent work by contractors.

The BuildZoom score is based on a number of factors including the contractor's license information and building permit data, gathered from the Denver Department of Community Planning and Development; and feedback and behavior we have observed in the BuildZoom marketplace and in other, third-party review sites.

We have analyzed every licensed contractor who has worked in Denver, Colorado. Using this information, we’re able to save you time, money and lessen your risk by providing you with a simple and straight-forward way to gather and receive multiple bids from vetted general contractors in Denver. Click here to get started by providing us with a few details about your project.