Remodeling Contractor in Littleton, CO
Kitchen, bathroom, and basement remodeling for Littleton's mid-century ranches and split-levels, scoped around what's behind the walls.
Building in Littleton
Remodeling in Littleton means working with houses built mostly between the late 1950s and the 1970s — brick ranches, tri-levels, and split-entries with layouts that closed the kitchen off from everything else and floor plans that assumed a single bathroom was enough. Opening those spaces up is the most common kitchen project we scope here, and it almost always runs into a bearing wall between the kitchen and the living or dining room.
Basements in this housing stock are the other constant. Shallow crawlspaces and full basements from this era were built to a different code than today's, which means finishing one properly usually means adding a compliant egress window, checking the sewer line before drywall goes up, and confirming the electrical panel can carry the additional circuits a finished space needs.
None of that has to be a bad surprise. We scope a remodel by opening a small area to see what's actually there — framing, wiring, plumbing — before pricing the full job, so the estimate reflects the house rather than a generic assumption about a 1965 build.
Permitting and approvals
- City of Littleton building permit for structural, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical remodel scope.
- County permit through Arapahoe, Jefferson, or Douglas for the unincorporated parcels carrying a Littleton address.
- Egress window and structural permits for basement finishes that add bedrooms.
- Separate trade permits for electrical panel upgrades and plumbing line replacement.
What shapes a Littleton project
Bearing walls at kitchen openings
In tri-levels and split-entries, the wall between the kitchen and the main living space frequently carries load from above. An engineered beam and post replacement is routine here, not exceptional.
Undersized electrical service
100-amp panels were standard for these homes originally and are often inadequate once a remodel adds a modern range, dishwasher, and lighting load. We run the numbers before assuming the existing panel is fine.
Aging supply and waste lines
Original galvanized supply and cast-iron or clay waste lines are common enough in this era that a camera inspection before a kitchen or bath remodel is worth the cost.
Basement egress and moisture
Finishing a basement into livable space needs a compliant egress opening in any sleeping room, and expansive clay outside means grading and drainage have to be checked before interior finishes go in.
What we build in Littleton
Neighborhoods and areas we cover
- Historic Downtown Littleton
- Ken Caryl
- Columbine
- Southbridge
- Highland Park
- Littleton Village
- Bow Mar area
- Centennial border neighborhoods
Littleton questions, answered
Is the wall between my Littleton kitchen and living room load-bearing?
In many tri-levels and split-entries, yes. We open a small section to confirm what the wall carries before quoting the removal, then have an engineer size the replacement beam and posts so the permit and the price both reflect reality.
Do I need a panel upgrade for a kitchen remodel?
Depends on the existing service and the new appliance load. Many of these homes still have a 100-amp panel, which can be marginal once you add a modern range, dishwasher, and lighting circuits. We calculate the load rather than guessing.
What's involved in finishing a basement here?
A compliant egress window or door in any sleeping room, confirmation of ceiling height, smoke and CO alarm placement, and usually a look at the sewer line and grading outside before drywall goes up. Older Littleton basements frequently need an egress well cut into the foundation.
How long does a full kitchen remodel take?
Once materials are on site, several weeks of active construction is typical, longer if a bearing wall comes out or cabinetry has a long lead time. We give a schedule that reflects the actual scope rather than a marketing number.
Read before you start
Planning something in Littleton?
Tell us what you have in mind. We walk the site, talk through what it actually takes here, and send a line-item estimate you can read.