Home projects in Englewood

Englewood borders Denver's south side, so close that many residents cross the city line without noticing. Its neighborhoods are mostly early and mid-20th-century: small brick and frame bungalows near the old downtown on Broadway, postwar brick ranches farther out, and a growing number of new duplexes and single-family infill houses replacing the smallest originals. The South Platte runs along the west side, and light rail connects the city to downtown Denver.

Englewood runs its own building division and its own contractor licensing, and the license structure is worth understanding before you hire.

Englewood's contractor license classes

Englewood sorts contractors into lettered classes, and the class determines what the contractor may build. The city's classification list, in short:

General contractor classes require ICC certification, and so do HVAC contractors licensed under Class E; the city's examination page lists the exact tests for each class. Roofers hold their own class. Englewood handles license applications and permits through its online portal.

What this means for you: when a contractor gives you a bid, ask for their Englewood license class and confirm it fits your project. A roofing-only license doesn't cover an addition. A Class C contractor can manage a house remodel but will use licensed electricians and plumbers. Check those trade licenses separately on Colorado's DORA lookup.

The housing stock

Bungalows and cottages (1920s-1940s). Small footprints, often under 1,000 square feet, on narrow lots. Unreinforced brick or frame walls, shallow or partial basements, knob-and-tube wiring remnants, and lead paint in original trim. Remodels here usually start with electrical and plumbing upgrades.

Postwar brick ranches (1950s-1960s). Full or partial basements, a single bathroom, a closed kitchen and original or once-replaced windows. These are Englewood's most-remodeled houses.

New infill. Recent duplexes and tall single-family homes, mostly under warranty and less likely to need work soon.

Projects that fit Englewood

• Kitchen opening. Removing a wall in a postwar ranch usually requires a beam and an engineer's input. In a 1920s bungalow, it may also involve moving a chimney or old ductwork.
• Adding a second bathroom. The best return on a one-bath house. Locations near the existing plumbing stack keep costs down.
• Basement finishing. Test for radon before you finish; CDPHE says about half of Colorado homes are above the EPA action level. Make sure any bedroom has a code egress window.
• Second-story additions and pop-tops. Smaller lots push owners up rather than out. Zoning height limits and the existing foundation's capacity decide feasibility, so get an engineer's opinion early.
• Roofing. Hail is as common here as anywhere in the metro. Make sure your roofer holds Englewood's roofing license class.
• Windows. Replacing old single-pane or early aluminum windows is one of the most noticeable comfort upgrades in older homes.

Lead paint and older homes

Most Englewood houses predate 1978. Any paid contractor who disturbs painted surfaces in a pre-1978 home must follow the EPA's lead-safe work practices and be RRP certified. Ask for the firm's certification and how they plan to contain dust, especially if children live in the house.

Duplex and infill neighbors

Englewood's zoning has allowed more duplexes and infill in some neighborhoods, and new construction next door can affect your drainage, sun and privacy. If you're planning your own addition, it helps to know what's allowed on your lot under the current zoning before talking to a designer. The city's planning staff can confirm setbacks, heights and lot coverage.

Coordinating with the city

Expect plan review for structural work, additions and larger remodels, with inspections at each stage. Smaller projects, such as water heaters or re-roofs, are usually simpler. Your contractor normally pulls the permit, and the license class on file must match the work.

A short pre-hire checklist for Englewood

Before you sign, collect four things: the contractor's Englewood license class and number, a certificate of liability insurance, the names and state license numbers of the electrician and plumber who will work on the job, and a written scope that says who pulls the permit. For pre-1978 houses, add the firm's EPA RRP certification. Get at least two comparable bids for larger projects, and make sure each one prices the same scope, including any panel upgrade or structural work the house turns out to need.