BigRentz Equipment Rental Service Areas in Colorado

Colorado, with its towering mountains and breathtaking landscapes, is an amazing state. Before you break ground in this spectacular place, however, you need to know some of the basics of building here.

General contractors aren’t regulated by the state of Colorado. However, there may be city and county regulations that you need to consider. In Denver, for example, you are required to apply for licenses and certificates before you embark on a building project. Anyone who applies for a contractor license must be certified in a trade — or must employ someone who is certified in a trade. Homeowners are allowed to do some types of work themselves as long as they pass a homeowner’s exam. However, people without a professional background in construction should avoid larger projects. It is best to hire someone who knows how to operate heavy machinery. Research licensing requirements in the area where you’re going to build to make sure you’re covering all your bases. Know what documentation you need to present, how long the licensing process may take, and what application fees you’ll be required to pay.

Cities and counties in Colorado have their local zoning regulations that you’ll need to pay attention to. The most common zoning practice in the state is Euclidean, otherwise known as traditional zoning. However, you may also encounter: Form-based zoning, which centers on the form of the environment in a particular area. Planned unit developments, which set out standards for the development of specific pieces of property. Hybrid zoning, when communities use a mixture of traditional and form-based zoning.

Soil conditions can have a big effect on the success of your building project. One of the biggest things you need to pay attention to is the swelling potential of the soil. Swelling potential refers to how much the soil’s volume will change as it is exposed to large amounts of moisture. Much of Colorado doesn’t have soil with high swelling potential, but there are still some areas where this is a serious issue. Some expansive clays and clay minerals that will increase the swelling potential of soil include smectite, bentonite, montmorillonite, beidellite, vermiculite, attapulgite, nontronite, and chlorite. Some sulfates are also expansive. Be sure to consult a soil map and do soil testing before you start on your building project in Colorado.

The building conditions on your site will have a role in picking an excavator that’s right for your job. For example, if the soil on your property is hard or you’re working during cold weather, you may need a machine that has added equipment, like a ripper. A coupler is also convenient; it allows your excavator to switch between tasks without needing a crew to switch out its equipment. You should also look into renting the right aerial equipment for your job: Boom lifts, forklifts, manlifts, and scissor lifts all vary in size according to your job’s needs. Do thorough research before you embark on your Colorado building project, and the construction process is more likely to go smoothly from the day you break ground to the day you cut the ribbon.