Frequently Asked Questions

A: A custom home build or major home addition in the Denver metro area generally takes 8 to 14 months from groundbreaking to completion, depending on the complexity and scope. However, the pre-construction phase (architectural design, engineering, and city permitting) adds an additional 3 to 6 months.

At Metro Construction Group, we provide an integrated pre-construction service to streamline structural engineering and expedite Denver's Community Planning and Development (CPD) review timelines.

A: If your Wash Park home is locally landmarked or sits within a designated historic district, any exterior alterations, additions, or window replacements visible from the street require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the Denver Landmark Preservation Commission. This process can add 2 to 4 months to your planning timeline. 

Interior renovations are generally exempt from historic review but frequently require structural, electrical, and plumbing upgrades to bring older, pre-1940 structures up to modern building codes. 

A: Yes, but it depends heavily on your specific neighborhood zoning code. Denver has significantly expanded ADU allowances, particularly in neighborhoods like LoHi, RiNo, and parts of Wash Park. To build a detached "carriage house" or backyard cottage, your lot must be zoned to allow accessory structures (look for a "G" in your zoning code, such as U-SU-B1G).

Metro Construction Group manages the entire process, evaluating your lot coverage, height restrictions, and utility tap connections before designing your ADU.

A: Cherry Hills Village operates under strict zoning, bulk-plane, and building envelope controls (including the recently adopted 2024 I-Codes). 

Notably, if a residential home addition, new driveway, or patio adds more than 2,500 square feet of cumulative impervious surface, the city requires a comprehensive Phase III Drainage Plan. Furthermore, any additions to homes protected by an existing fire suppression system must also be integrated into South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) regulations. 

A: Yes. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) requires a certified asbestos inspection prior to any demolition or renovation that disturbs structural materials in homes built before 1980. Lead paint testing is also required for homes built before 1978. 

If hazardous materials are discovered, Metro Construction Group coordinates state-compliant abatement and notifications before any physical construction begins.

A: For homes in master-planned communities like Reunion (Commerce City), all major exterior renovations, additions, or large-scale landscaping projects must receive explicit approval from the community's Architectural Review Committee (ARC) or HOA Board. This is entirely separate from municipal building permits.

We work directly with your HOA guidelines to ensure your paint colors, roofing materials, and structural footprints are approved on the first submission.

A: Current multifamily development in Cherry Creek is heavily focused on a "flight-to-quality," featuring ultra-luxury condos, high-end townhomes, and mixed-use spaces with premium finishes. 

Conversely, RiNo (River North Arts District) and LoHi (Lower Highland) favor modern industrial, transit-oriented developments (TODs), adaptive reuse structures, and micro-unit apartments. Metro Construction Group specializes in adapting construction methods to fit the distinct architectural character and market demands of these individual submarkets. 

A: The Denver metro area is experiencing a notable surge in attached-property inventory and zoning flexibility. With interest rates stabilizing, many investors are utilizing "house hacking" or value-add renovation strategies on existing duplexes and four-plexes near major transit corridors.

We specialize in structural conversions, converting single-family layouts into legally compliant, income-generating multiplexes.

A: Denver enforces some of the strictest energy efficiency standards in the country under the Denver Green Code and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). New multifamily developments must incorporate sustainable building practices, such as cool roofs, EV-charging readiness, solar-panel infrastructure, and highly efficient HVAC systems (like heat pumps).

Our commercial team ensures your multifamily asset achieves full regulatory compliance while optimizing long-term operational costs.

Q: How does Metro Construction Group minimize disruptions to tenants during a multi-unit renovation?

A: Occupied renovations require precise logistical planning. We utilize a phased construction approach, working on a select number of units or building wings at a time to minimize tenant displacement.

We enforce strict on-site site maintenance standards, limit noisy work to approved city hours, and maintain clear, transparent communication schedules with property management teams to prevent tenant friction.

A: A change order is an amendment to the original construction contract that modifies the scope of work, cost, or timeline (often triggered by unforeseen site conditions or client requests).

To prevent budget creep, Metro Construction Group performs exhaustive pre-construction site assessments and utilizes fixed-price contracts with clearly defined allowances. If a change order is necessary, it is fully documented, priced, and approved by the client before any modified work takes place.