All Forum Posts by: Dorothy Ma

@Mat Zalk, I'm an architect and Developer and in Denver to get a residential contractor's license it requires a certain amount of hours worked in the field, thus the notarized letters from contractors stating you worked for them for the amount of time and gained the experience.  Pretty sure it's more like 3, not 24.  Also, there's an open book test...so honestly if they have the experience it's not hard.  With that said, depending on the type of project you're doing, sometimes you don't need a GC license - particularly with interior renovations that don't require permits.  However, from what you mentioned, rebuilding a portion..pretty sure a permit is required.  If it's in the city of Denver, there are specific requirements and drawings that need to be submitted for permitting.

I always recommend clients get 3 bids from 3 different contractors if they're not sure where to start.  People tend to go with a low bid, but bids can be all over the place with exclusions and scope of work...so study them closely and make sure they are apples to apples.

thanks @Micki M. is someone who keeps coming up for contractors in Denver on this forum.  Otherwise, my husband is the GC on our new builds and he only works on our projects, but I could refer you some GREAT subcontractors..

I am out of town but I'll reach out once I'm back! Thanks guys for the recommendations!

It's actually a renovation/addition to a community church

Any good contractor recommendations in the Denver area for commercial addition/renovation?

@Jaylyn Heartso good to know, in that case, hopefully this agent has a good excuse.  I know with clients, some prefer email, phone or text..and I've had experience with some older folks who are not as on top of their email, so maybe figure out what is the best form of communication to get a hold of your agent..even though that really should be their job....but good luck!

@Jaylyn Heartso, when you say "new real estate agent" do you mean this person is new or your relationship with her is new.  I personally think you should be working with agents that specialize in fix and flips and investments and have had experience because it's so important and it could mean getting or losing a deal...

@Randall Burris I'm interested to hear why you think the Denver market will "plummet"?

My development firm consists of me and a contractor (who happens to be my husband). We have mentors who are also our business partners with on the 28 unit project.  I have 8 years of experience in a traditional architecture firm, but none of it has been in residential - I worked in education/civic architecture.

@Tyler Hiatt I was in the same boat as you, working for a national firm here in Denver, feeling the same way about how design gets lost and how I have so little control over design of projects.  I am now developing a 6 unit townhome here in Denver and starting design on a 28-unit development.  I think more architects should combine the whole process - design/build/development.  It can be difficult when making VE decisions because you are the owner and the designer - so you want to profit as the developer but also carry out good design.  For me, I value design more so I'm willing to sacrifice some profit to product a better product, which I believe is why architects make better developers.  When you streamline the whole process, you can save money on the design/build side and on decision making - change orders happen less and mistakes get caught in the field faster when you wear all the hats because you are familiar with the project and the design intent.