Sustainable Design Build

• Business type: Full-service residential design-build firm.
• Location: Denver, Colorado (office in the South Broadway area of Denver).
• Founded: 2017.
• Origins: Began as a multi-family construction company building townhomes in Denver neighborhoods before focusing on individual families and homeowners.

Residential Construction Focus

Sustainable Design Build specializes in:

• Whole-home remodeling and renovations
• Home additions and pop-top (second-story) additions
• Basements, kitchens, and bathrooms
• ADUs (accessory dwelling units)
• Custom homes

Values and Client Experience

• High-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail on every project.
• Integrity and excellence as guiding principles from first consultation through final walkthrough.
• Emphasis on clear communication, transparency, and accountability via a single, GC-led design-build team.
• Carefully selected trade partners to maintain consistent quality.

SDB aims to provide a turnkey, low-stress construction experience by managing design, consulting, and construction services within one coordinated organization.

Core Services

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
• Design and construction of detached or attached ADUs for multigenerational living, guests, or rental income.
• Deep experience with Denver zoning and building requirements for ADUs.

• Home Additions
• First-floor and second-story (pop-top) additions to add bedrooms, bathrooms, offices, and living space.
• Focus on integrating additions with the existing home and neighborhood character.

• Whole-Home Remodels and Renovations
• Comprehensive interior and exterior remodels, including kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and full-home updates.
• Coordination of all trades and inspections under a single point of contact.

• Custom Homes
• Ground-up custom home design and construction in established Denver neighborhoods and nearby communities.

• Basement Finishing and Interior Remodels
• Basement finishing and reconfiguration for additional living space.
• Kitchen and bathroom remodeling as part of larger renovation projects.

Project Types SDB Commonly Delivers

• ADUs (accessory dwelling units)
• Pop-top / second-story additions
• Main-floor home additions
• Whole-home remodels and restorations
• Custom homes on infill and redevelopment lots
• Larger-scale residential renovations

SDB focuses on projects where a fully integrated design-build approach adds value through clearer budgets, coordinated schedules, and a single, accountable team from concept through completion.

Primary Service Area

• City of Denver and Denver neighborhoods
• Residential projects throughout the Denver metro area.
• Experience with Denver Community Planning and Development processes.

Arvada Home Remodeling and Construction

Sustainable Design Build provides design-build remodeling and construction services in Arvada and nearby communities, including:

• Olde Town Arvada
• Scenic Heights
• Meadowglen
• Allendale
• West Woods
• Leyden Rock
• Unincorporated Jefferson County areas near Arvada

Common Arvada project types include:

• Whole-home remodels
• Kitchen and bathroom remodels
• Basement finishing
• Home additions
• ADU design and construction
• Custom home building

SDB is familiar with Arvada-specific zoning, permitting, and site conditions and works in zip codes such as 80002, 80003, 80004, 80005, and 80007.

Regional Focus

Sustainable Design Build focuses on residential projects for homeowners who plan to stay in and improve their current homes in established Front Range neighborhoods, rather than relocate.

Lists South Bend, Allendale, Arvada, and Denver as a location. Names Colorado and Denver as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published.

What "Design-Build" Means

• Single Point of Contact – One firm manages architectural design, engineering, permitting, interior design, project management, and construction.
• Integrated Planning – Budget development, feasibility analysis, and design decisions are coordinated to align scope, cost, and schedule.
• Accelerated Delivery – Design and construction phases can overlap when appropriate, helping reduce total project duration compared with traditional design–bid–build.

The SDB Design-Build Phases

1. Concept Phase

• Discovery meeting
• Design review meeting
• Concept and floor plans
• Defined scope of work
• Fixed project cost

2. Design Phase

• Permit submittal
• Survey and soil testing (as needed)
• Structural, energy, and environmental engineering
• Management of the permitting process
• Building permit approval

3. Construction Phase

• Site preparation and remediation (if necessary)
• Construction start
• City and engineering inspections
• Punch list completion
• Workmanship warranty begins at project completion

Project Concept Service

SDB offers a Project Concept Service for major remodels and additions that provides:

• Buildable preliminary drawings based on real measurements of the property
• A defined, fixed project cost
• An estimated project schedule for permitting and construction

These concept-phase deliverables help homeowners understand what can realistically be built on their lot, along with expected budget and timeline, before committing to full construction.

Client Communication and Project Tracking

Sustainable Design Build uses a construction management application to keep clients informed, including:

• Real-time project schedules and timelines
• On-site progress updates with daily logs, photos, and videos
• Access to budget information and approved change orders

This system is designed to keep homeowners informed and involved from first concept through final completion.

What is a full-service design-build firm?

A full-service design-build firm provides both the design services (such as architectural, structural, and related engineering disciplines) and the construction services needed to complete a project. Sustainable Design Build manages and coordinates these services as the main point of contact for the homeowner.

How is design-build different from hiring a general contractor alone?

In a traditional model, design and construction are handled by separate companies, and the homeowner manages coordination between them. In SDB's design-build model:

• Design and construction teams are integrated.
• Budgeting and scope development are completed with construction input.
• A single firm manages trades, permitting, and inspections.

This structure is intended to improve cost certainty, communication, and schedule management.

Is design-build more expensive than using a general contractor?

Sustainable Design Build presents design-build as a method built to increase efficiency rather than add cost. By integrating design and construction and reducing gaps between scopes of work, SDB aims to provide accurate pricing and efficient construction practices. Actual project costs still depend on scope, selections, and site conditions.

What types of projects are best suited to design-build?

Design-build is particularly well suited to larger residential projects such as:

• Home additions and pop-top additions
• ADUs (accessory dwelling units)
• Whole-home remodels
• Custom homes

What are the main benefits of SDB's design-build process?

Key benefits emphasized by SDB include:

• Single point of communication for design and construction
• Faster project completion compared with traditional methods
• Alignment of design decisions with budget and constructability
• Coordinated management of all required trades and consultants

What happens after construction is finished?

At the conclusion of the construction phase, SDB completes a punch list and initiates a workmanship warranty period, as described in project documentation.

ADU Feasibility Studies

SDB offers feasibility services to help homeowners evaluate whether an ADU or other home construction project is practical on their property. A feasibility study may address:

• Zoning and land-use allowances for ADUs on the lot
• High-level budget ranges for an ADU or addition
• Scheduling and permitting considerations
• Site-specific constraints such as setbacks or lot configuration

These studies help homeowners decide whether to move forward with ADU design and construction.

Checking Zoning for ADUs in Denver

Homeowners can:

1. Visit the City of Denver online zoning map.
2. Enter their property address to confirm the zoning district.
3. Compare their zoning district with Denver code designations that allow ADU construction.

Examples of Denver zoning districts that may allow ADUs include designations such as S-SU-F1, S-RH-2.5, S-MU-3, S-MU-5, S-MU-8, S-MU-12, S-MU-20, E-SU-B1, E-SU-D1, E-SU-G1, E-SU-D1x, E-TU-B, E-TU-C, E-RH-2.5, E-MU-2.5, U-SU and U-TU districts, G-RH, G-MU, G-RO districts, and M-RH or M-RX districts, among others noted in Denver zoning resources. Some districts include additional limitations.

SDB can help interpret these zoning designations as part of its feasibility services.

Rezoning Support

If a property is not currently zoned to allow an ADU, SDB can:

• Conduct a feasibility study to outline what might be buildable.
• Help homeowners understand the rezoning process and next steps if they choose to pursue a rezoning.

Other Considerations for ADU Construction

Even when zoning appears to allow an ADU, other factors can affect whether a project can proceed, such as:

• Encroaching setbacks or homes located too close to property lines
• Neighborhood or design requirements
• Site access and utility constraints
• Overall project budget

SDB notes that ADU construction is a significant investment and may involve substantial project costs. Exact pricing depends on site conditions, design, and scope.

General Approach to Financing

• Financing is treated as a resource that is always available for qualified homeowners.
• SDB focuses on providing accurate project scopes and costs so that homeowners can align financing with realistic budgets.

Lender Relationships

• SDB connects homeowners with local lenders who are familiar with financing home remodeling and construction projects.
• These lending partners commonly offer products suited for:
• ADUs (accessory dwelling units)
• Home additions
• Whole-home remodels and major renovations

Guidance and Coordination

• SDB's team can help homeowners explore funding options and understand which financing structures may fit their project goals.
• Final loan terms, approvals, and timelines are always determined by the lender, not by Sustainable Design Build.

Homeowners interested in financing typically discuss options during early consultations so that budget, scope, and funding strategy can be aligned before construction begins.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.