General Contracting contractors in
Aurora, Colorado.
A public directory of general contracting contractor businesses serving greater Aurora. Market data, licensing requirements, and cost benchmarks — updated continuously from public sources.
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Common Job Costs
Licensing Requirements
Licensing Requirements
Colorado requires General Contractors to hold a Class A or Class B license issued by the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations. Class A: $2,000 bond minimum, $5,000+ surety bond recommended. Class B: $1,000 bond. Both require passing the CO general contractor exam (trade knowledge, code, safety, business practices). License renewal biennially ($400-600). No specific apprenticeship required, but documented experience (typically 4+ years) required for exam eligibility. Individual trade licenses (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) must be held by licensed subcontractors, not the general contractor.
Permit Requirements
Aurora Building Department requires permits for all projects over $1,500 in value (residential) and $500 (commercial). General contractor must obtain permits; residential projects typically 1-2 week turnaround, commercial 2-4 weeks. Plan review required for structural, electrical, plumbing, HVAC scope. Permit fees run 0.5-1.5% of project cost. Final inspections required before occupancy.
Inspection Schedule
Framing inspection (after framing, before drywall). Electrical rough-in inspection (before wall closure). Plumbing rough-in inspection (before wall closure). HVAC inspection (ductwork/equipment before closure). Insulation inspection (before drywall). Drywall inspection (for code compliance locations). Final inspection (after project completion, all systems operational). Typical Aurora turnaround: 1-3 days between inspection request and actual inspection.
Insurance Minimums
Colorado Contractor License Board recommends minimum $300,000 general liability per occurrence; $1,000,000 aggregate strongly advised. Workers' compensation mandatory if you have employees (rate class: 5474 for general contracting, ~2.5-4% of payroll depending on loss history). Surety bond ($1,000-2,000 for Class B license) required at issuance. Builders Risk insurance recommended for project coverage.
Compliance research unavailable
Source status: unavailable · 7/23/2026
Detailed instructions are withheld because the source is not available for verification.
Local market snapshot
Source: DoorBase, aggregated public ZIP-level data. Updated 8/17/2026.
How to Get Licensed
Document Work Experience
Compile 4+ years documented general contracting experience (or equivalent combination of general contracting, construction management, and/or supervisory roles). Provide employment letters on company letterhead with specific project descriptions, dates, and dollar values. Self-employment records acceptable with tax returns and project documentation.
Complete Pre-Exam Application
Submit application to Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations (DPO). Include experience documentation, references, $50 application fee, and proof of Colorado residency or business address. Application review takes 2-3 weeks. DPO will verify references and experience before exam eligibility.
Pass General Contractor Exam
Exam covers Colorado Building Code, safety regulations, contract law, lien law, licensing rules, and business practices. Typically 100-120 multiple choice questions, 4-hour time limit. Minimum passing score 70%. Cost: $75-150 depending on testing vendor. Study materials available through DPO and third-party prep courses. Most candidates take 4-8 weeks to prepare.
Obtain Surety Bond
Secure a Class A ($2,000 minimum) or Class B ($1,000 minimum) performance/payment bond from licensed surety company. Cost typically $500-2,000 depending on credit and bonding history. Bond protects clients and subcontractors; non-negotiable for license issuance. Submit bond documentation with license application.
Submit License Application and Fees
File final license application with DPO including exam passing certificate, surety bond documentation, and license fee ($400-600 depending on class and renewal status). Processing takes 1-2 weeks after complete submission. License valid for 2 years; renewal requires continuing education (12 hours) and fee payment within 30 days of expiration.
About This Market
Aurora's general contracting market runs hot—population growth pushing 400,000+ residents, new subdivisions northeast and southeast, plus steady residential renovation demand from aging neighborhoods. Competition is stiff; you've got established regional firms, owner-operators, and crews coming up from Denver. Costs track regional material prices plus labor; concrete, lumber, and steel follow national indices, but skilled labor commands $55-70/hr depending on trade and experience. Residential remodels and small additions dominate the volume; commercial work concentrated in southeast corridor near job centers. Home values run $400K-$750K median, which means budgets for upgrades are real. What kills projects: homeowner scope creep, material delays post-2022, and underestimating demolition costs in 30+ year-old homes with surprises (old wiring, asbestos, structural rot).
- median_hourly_wageBureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023
- licensed_establishments_coloradoU.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns (CBP), NAICS 236100
- licensing_requirementsColorado Division of Professions and Occupations, General Contractors Board
- permit_thresholds_auroraAurora Building Department, Municipal Code Title 24
- inspection_scheduleAurora Building Department, Standard Inspection Checklist
- insurance_minimums_coloradoColorado Contractor License Board, General Contractor Manual
- surety_bond_requirementsColorado Division of Professions and Occupations, License Statutes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Class A and Class B general contractor license in Colorado?
Class A license allows unlimited contract value per project and allows bonding on public works. Class B restricts projects to $500,000 per contract (residential) or $250,000 (commercial). Class A requires $2,000 surety bond minimum; Class B requires $1,000 minimum. Both require passing the state exam and 4+ years documented experience. Most residential contractors in Aurora operate Class B; Class A is chosen for developers and larger firms. Renewal and exam requirements are identical. Source: Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations.
How long does it take to get a general contractor license in Colorado?
Typical timeline: 4-8 weeks if you have documented experience ready. Application review (2-3 weeks) + exam scheduling (1-2 weeks) + exam results (1 week) + surety bond coordination (3-5 days) + final license issuance (3-5 days). Longest variable: experience verification if references don't respond quickly. If you need to gather documentation first, add 4-6 weeks. Fast-track: 3-4 weeks if everything is prepared and bonding is arranged beforehand. Source: Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations.
What permits do I need to pull a general remodeling project in Aurora?
Aurora Building Department requires a general permit for any project over $1,500 (residential) or $500 (commercial). The general contractor pulls the permit. Most remodels also trigger trade-specific permits: electrical (if rewiring, panel upgrades, new circuits), plumbing (if moving pipes, adding fixtures), HVAC (if replacing system, adding ducts), and structural (if moving walls, cutting beams). Permit cost runs 0.5-1.5% of project value. Plan review adds 1-2 weeks. Final inspection required before occupancy. Source: Aurora Building Department.
What is the median wage for general contractors in Colorado?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for general contractors in Colorado is $61.75/hour, or approximately $128,440 annually (based on 2,080 annual hours). This reflects established contractor earnings, not apprentices or assistants. Wages vary by market; Aurora and Denver metro areas run slightly higher ($65-75/hr) due to cost of living. Subcontractors and crew leads often exceed this median. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages (May 2023 data).
What insurance do I need to carry as a general contractor in Aurora?
Minimum requirement: General Liability insurance $300,000 per occurrence / $1,000,000 aggregate. Industry standard: $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate (strongly recommended for residential). Workers' Compensation insurance is mandatory if you have employees (rate class 5474, ~2.5-4% of payroll). Surety Bond required for license ($1,000-2,000). Builders Risk insurance (project-specific coverage) recommended for jobsites. Commercial General Liability policies typically run $600-1,500/year depending on claims history and coverage limits. Annual audit of workers comp payroll is standard. Source: Colorado Contractor License Board and insurance industry standards.
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