Construction Equipment Rental in Thornton, CO

About Construction Projects in Thornton, CO

A low cost of living and varied job opportunities make Thornton an attractive city for many Americans. Local growth has helped improve job prospects for Thornton builders in the know.

Building Permits

You’ll need a permit for most Thornton building projects. You’ll usually submit the following to get your permit:

• A complete building permit application form
• A site plan
• Architectural plans
• Electrical plans
• Mechanical plans
• Plumbing plans
• Special system plans
• Fire protection and alarm details
• A soil report
• Structural calculations
• Truss drawings
• Elevator plans
• An Energy Code Compliance report
• City-approved photometric
• A city approved landscaping plan

You can apply for a permit online, in person, or by mail to the City of Thornton Building Inspection Division. The office opens weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Payments are only processed until 4:30 p.m. New residential permits are usually processed within 10 working days. New commercial permits are usually processed within 15 working days.

Once your application is approved, you must pay your permit fee. You’ll then get your building permit, a permit card, and a field set of plans.

You must agree to regular inspections to keep your permit. Schedule your inspection using Thornton Connected or by calling the Inspection Request Line (303-538-7396).

Necessary Building Licenses

Builders working in Thornton need a city-issued contractors license. The city has the following contractor license classes:

• Class A General
• Class B Building
• Class C Residential
• Class D Mechanical
• Class D Roofing

Apply online, in person, or by mail to the City of Thornton Building Inspection Division. The license application form is available to download on the city’s website.

You must also pass an International Code Council (ICC) exam. Thornton contractor licenses are valid for one year.
You can also work as a builder in Thornton with a license from a related locale or the ICC. Thornton has reciprocal license arrangements with:

• Arvada
• Aurora
• Boulder
• Centennial
• Commerce City
• Craig
• Denver
• Englewood
• Fort Collins
• Littleton
• Longmont
• Loveland
• Mesa County
• Park County
• Pikes Peak Regional
• Sterling
• Wheat Ridge

Liability Coverage

The City of Thornton doesn’t need to see proof of insurance for licensure as many cities do. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have insurance though. General liability cover will protect most aspects of your local building job. You can increase your coverage with an umbrella policy. Many contractors also use builder’s risk insurance to bridge coverage gaps.

If you employ other builders, workers compensation insurance is a vital investment. You may also like auto liability insurance to protect your work vehicle.

Best Equipment to Use

Thornton is known for its flat, easy-walking city and suburban streets. The flat plots of land it’s famous for make building a breeze. You can usually use standard manlifts and scissor lifts, rather than rough terrain ones. So long as the soil isn’t loose, boom lifts can operate well. Forklifts also don’t like soft Thornton soil.

Research the right licenses, permits, insurance, and equipment to make sure your next Thornton building job goes off without a hitch.