Colorado Springs - need help finding contractor

[Gixx]

Hi all,

Just moved to the unincorporated part of Colorado Springs (El Paso County near the Black Forest). I've got 6 acres and want to build a detached 40x60 "shop"/garage.

I've done "some" research and have some ideas of what I want, but the big questions is...

How do I even begin to find a contractor when I don't know anyone who can refer me to one based on good experiences...

I'm hoping to go stick built with 12' ceiling on main level. Attic trusses for storage. (1) double garage car door 16x8, one single garage car door 9x8, two man doors and some windows. Plan is to put in two lifts and have an interior room for grinding/welding/fabricating. I have several cars I want to store inside, while being able to still work on stuff.

I have a reasonably level meadow about 75 ft from the main house where I'd like to have it built. I can do all the interior finish work (drywall, insulation, electrical outlets,etc) but would need electrical run to the panel. No plumbing as I am on a septic and am not ready to put in another one. Probably have gas line run for the heat.

Can anyone give me good/bad experiences with contractors in the area ? I've done an internet search and there are quite a few builders, but I don't really want to just "roll the dice".

THANKS guys !

 

[grinch365]

Wow, nobody ?

 

[csp]

Go down to Crissy Fowler lumber and talk to the guys at the build desk there. They probably can give you some leads.

 

[readhead]

Check in with the local homebuilders association.

 

[jomobco]

I got a good final product for my build in Parker but I certainly wouldn't recommend the company to anyone else. The contractor would always be late, needed constant babysitting and "would give me his cost on things" which were usually 25% greater than normal costs. I wish I could help.

 

[Qcowboy]

Sorry I can't help much. We just finished construction on a ginormous pole barn near Elizabeth. I'm pleased as can be with the contractor (Cleary) but I think they just do pole barns. It might be worth a call, though, because I may be wrong about that. You could try Lynn Ginn at Cleary's Franktown office. If they don't do stick-builts, maybe he could tell you who does. He's been helpful with me finding contractors to do the stuff Cleary doesn't do.

If they can do it for you, I've been happy with Cleary. They'e built two indoor equestrian arenas for us, one in Wyoming and one here near Elizabeth. I'm happy with their work on both. Nothing fancy, but sturdy as all hell.

 

[Jim_B]

I've mostly dealt with commercial construction around COS. Two companies I've used in the past with good results are:

http://www.elderconstructioninc.com/

and

[URL="http://www.copestone-cm.com"]http://www.copestone-cm.com/content/Services/Services[/URL]

I don't know if they'd be interested in a project that size (might be too small for them), but it wouldn't hurt to call and ask. If nothing else, they might be able to refer you to a contractor that would be a good fit for that project.

Hope this helps.

 

[Gixx]

Thanks! Ill give them a shout.

 

[Jim_B]

Let us know how it works out.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Angie's list?, How about looking around for some new const. and talk to the home owners.
Lumber yard, church groups, lots of places with lots of people. Senior center

 

[Gixx]

Anyone know anything about Sunsetsheds or Landmark garages ? I'm waiting to hear back from both of them on estimates. Its the weekend, so I'm waiting til Monday to give the others a call.

I was just hoping to hear from someone who had real world experience with anyone in the area, so I'd know who to avoid - or who might be good...

 

[mtechgunman]

JPMGarageBuilders.com is almost finished with mine. Jon Pakola is his name. It'd be a ways for him to go as he is in the Denver metro area, but his work is phenomenal. Also- he's under bid right now. Very impressed with his work. Here is my build:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=234400

 

[Hammer03]

Not sure how I missed this thread, I'm just down the road from you I think.

A few of my neighbors have large detached shops (not on acreage though) and I can go find out who built them if you're interested. I have an acquaintance who had one built by Majestic home builders (one of the semi to full custom home builders).

Here is a link to his house (which is for sale), he had the garage built a year or so after the house, I'm not sure who built the house. http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/10690-Pictured-Rocks-Dr-Peyton-CO-80831/80387904_zpid/

A friend's family is in construction up in Monument, and we have a very close family friend who is a Realtor, and lives in Black Forest, who knows every contractor in town (or so it seems), I can give you his info if you're interested as well.

 

[Gixx]

Thanks guys, I sent JPM and Majestic an e-mail.
I really appreciate the input. I'm about 6 miles East of Monument, so contact info for your family friend would be great !

 

[Gixx]

OK, after comparing stick built prices to pole barns I'm thinking I'm going stick built. National Barn sent a guy out and I went with him to look at one and Morton is coming Monday to give me a quote. I can get a bigger building for alot less and I think I can still get the type of building I want. (insulatable, weather tight, etc)
I'll try to keep you guys updated as things progress...
If Morton had not called today, I was ready to pull the trigger on National Barn, pending their final quote.

 

[mr overdunne]

I have to ask. what did you pay for the house and land? I go to Colorado springs 2x a year. I love it. I have a trip planned in june and I was looking for a house around the old Broadmoor area. it was unreal how cheap your taxes were.

 

[Hammer03]

If you're still looking, call John Bissett at JM Weston Homes up in Monument. Haven't seen his work, but his family is good people, for what that's worth.

If you're looking at buying land, talk to Phil Struska (http://www.trulia.com/profile/philip-struska-agent-colorado-springs-co-302709). Our family has used his services, the guy knows the area and works for your business. And he's a nice guy to boot.

We had our home built by GJ Gardner, which is a semi/full custom home builder. Their sales office is in Falcon, by Walmart. Their work is good (not flawless, but good) and their price was significantly lower than other bids. Might be worth a call as well.

 

[csp]

Don't expect Morton to be competitive with other bids. They were almost double what Cleary wanted to build a 32x48 I was building a few years ago.

Cleary won the bid and then screwed up big time with the local building department. All I ended up with was a very expensive engineered set of plans. I wouldn't piss on cleary if they were on fire now.

 

[Gixx]

Well, I pulled the trigger on a National Barn 40x56 pole barn today. I went to look at a Morton and a National. The Morton was a nicer building, but (for me) not worth the $18k difference between the two. The difference was a bunch of "little" things, but if I had the dough, I'd go with the Morton. Unfortunately I don't have the extra and I would have to wait at least two years to build a Morton.

So, National it is and it should be done by late June (Morton was August).

I'll start a new thread as things progress. Thanks all for the input !

 

[Hammer03]

Congrats!

 

[Gixx]

Engineer stamped plans should be done next week, then off to get the permits.