Basement Finishing in Arvada, CO

Arvada has one of the more straightforward basement permit setups in the metro: a single residential interior permit covers the building work, the electrical, plumbing and mechanical, and egress windows. The trade-off is that the city expects licensed contractors on that permit. Gribbons Group Corp holds City of Arvada contractor license #AEC13870 and is licensed & insured, so we can apply, build, and close out your basement finish in Arvada.

Want to talk about your Arvada basement? Call (720) 223-9003 or request a free estimate.

Arvada’s Basement Permit, Step by Step

Basement finishes inside Arvada city limits are permitted by City of Arvada Building Services. Here’s how the city describes the process:

• One permit. The basement finish permit includes mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and egress windows — no separate trade permits.
• Licensed contractors. If you hire a contractor for any part of the work, the city requires a licensed contractor on the permit, and interior remodels call for a Class B or Class C general contractor license. Mechanical, plumbing, and electrical subcontractors must also be licensed with the City of Arvada and sign on to the permit.
• Electronic application. Contractors apply through the city’s Arvada Permits (eTRAKiT) system using their license number, and the plan review is electronic.
• Quick review. The city says plan reviews take one to two days depending on plan detail and workload.
• Fees by valuation. Fees are based on the total project value and typically include the building permit, plan review, and use tax, with trade fees added when that work is part of the job.
• Close-out. After the final inspection the permit shows as finaled. No certificate of occupancy is needed for a basement finish.

What Arvada Wants on a Basement Plan

According to the city’s residential interior page, a complete plan set includes a dimensioned floor plan with every room labeled, and shows:

• Whether egress windows are new or existing, with window sizes and types, and egress wells with ladder and clear dimensions.
• Outlets, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, light fixtures, fans, plumbing changes, cleanouts, the furnace, and the water heater.
• Any dropped ceiling areas lower than 7 feet.
• Showers and tubs with a showerhead, which need at least 6 feet 8 inches of ceiling height over a 30-by-30-inch area at the showerhead.
• Any changes to posts, beams, or floor joists, and gas line sizing calculations if a new gas line is being run.

Plans don’t need to be engineered unless there are structural changes or new egress windows. New egress windows need an engineer’s letter, and the city’s checklist says plans with structural changes or new egress windows must be stamped by a licensed engineer. We bring in the engineer and fold that into the schedule.

Inspections You Can Expect

Depending on scope, the city lists inspections such as underground and rough plumbing, shower pan, gas line, rough mechanical, rough electrical, rough frame, insulation, drywall, and finals for each trade. Arvada lets inspections be scheduled online or by text through its building permits system. We schedule each one, meet the inspector, and don’t cover anything until it passes.

Arvada Homes and Their Basements

Arvada’s housing spans more than a century. Near Olde Town you’ll find older homes with small or partial basements. Much of the city is postwar ranches, bi-levels, and split-levels, where the lower level is partly above grade. Newer subdivisions, especially in the northwest part of the city, tend to have full unfinished basements with builder rough-ins.

Each type has its own challenges. Older basements may have low ceilings, older wiring, or foundation walls that need attention before finishing. Bi-levels usually have better windows and easier egress but less open floor area. Newer basements are the blank slate most people picture, and the main decisions are layout, bathroom placement, and how to route ducts.

Arvada also crosses a county line, with parts of the city in both Jefferson and Adams counties, and some homes with an Arvada mailing address are outside city limits. We confirm the jurisdiction for your address before we quote.

Soils, Moisture, and Radon

Expansive soils are common across the Front Range. We build floating partition walls where a slab may move and check grading, gutters, and downspouts for water sent toward the foundation before we finish any walls.

Radon is common throughout Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Test before you finish. If mitigation is needed, a licensed radon professional installs it and we plan around the system.

HOA Approval

Many newer Arvada subdivisions have HOAs with architectural review. The interior of your basement usually isn’t their concern, but a new egress window well changes the exterior, so we check your covenants and plan any approval into the schedule.

What Arvada Homeowners Build Downstairs

A family room and guest suite are the most common, but we also plan home theaters, cigar lounges, wine cellars, home gyms, and wet bars. See what else fits on our main Denver basement finishing page.

Nearby, we also finish basements in Evergreen and Ken Caryl, and in Littleton, Lakewood, and Denver. Our process page explains each step.

See our 12-step basement process, from plans to permit close-out.

Arvada Basement FAQs

Do I need separate electrical and plumbing permits in Arvada?

No. The City of Arvada basement finish permit includes mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and egress windows. The subcontractors doing that work must be Arvada-licensed and sign on to the one permit.

Does my Arvada basement plan need an engineer?

Only for structural changes or new egress windows. New egress windows need an engineer’s letter, and the city’s checklist says plans with structural changes or new egress windows must be stamped by a licensed engineer.

How fast is Arvada’s plan review?

The city says plan reviews take one to two days, depending on plan detail and workload, once a complete application is submitted.

Is Gribbons Group Corp licensed with the City of Arvada?

Yes. We hold City of Arvada contractor license #AEC13870 and are licensed & insured.

Get Your Arvada Basement Estimate

Tell us about your basement, and we’ll set up a walkthrough and follow up with a written scope and estimate.

Call (720) 223-9003 or request an estimate online.