J ALLEN  CONSTRUCTION COMPANY: CUSTOM HOME BUILDERS IN FORT COLLINS

If you need more room, you’re not alone. Inventory has inched up across Northern Colorado, but it still isn’t generous enough to make moving simple or cheap. In Fort Collins, the median sale price was about $554,176 in September, and homes took roughly 42 days to sell. That’s an improvement in activity, yet not a wide-open buyer’s market. At the same time, more sellers are delisting rather than cutting prices, which makes “the right house” disappear in the middle of a search. As a local design-build remodeler, we see a better path for many families: create the space you need where you already live. Here’s why an addition , basement finish, or ADU often wins on cost, timing, and comfort.  The market math favors staying put Trading up means paying today’s market price and eating transaction costs, inspection repairs, and moving expenses. If you bought during the low-rate years, you’ll likely give up a favorable mortgage, too. Meanwhile, Fort Collins pricing still sits high enough that the “bigger house, same neighborhood” option pushes many budgets. When we price typical projects, a targeted addition or basement finish can deliver the rooms you want for less all-in than a move, especially if you can leverage existing equity to finance the work. You also avoid bidding wars and the risk that your dream listing gets pulled before you can act. Code changes are coming. Planning now is smart. Larimer County has adopted the 2024 building codes with an effective date of January 1, 2026 . Fort Collins is also moving to adopt the 2024 code set, including the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) for remodels and additions. Designing now lets us align your project with the performance and safety expectations that are on the way, so you aren’t forced into late changes during permit review. Where to invest square footage Primary suite addition. A rear bump-out or over-garage suite adds everyday livability and strong resale appeal without changing school zones or commute routes. Basement finishing. In many Fort Collins and Loveland homes, the fastest path to usable space is downstairs. Family room, guest suite, or a quiet office, all tied into upgraded insulation and mechanicals while walls are open. ADU or detached studio. This is a flexible option for multigenerational living or future rental income. Site planning, utilities, and zoning details matter, but when we handle design and permitting together, the process stays straightforward. Performance upgrades while you remodel. Windows, air sealing, insulation, and heat-pump-ready layouts are easiest to build in during an addition or basement project. With new codes taking effect in 2026, planning these elements now is simply good timing. Timeline advantages you can feel New construction has improved, but builders are still balancing incentives, locations on the edge of town, and delivery windows that may not match your family’s calendar. A well-scoped remodel can be scheduled around your real life and the local inspection rhythm, especially if we start design and permitting before the spring rush. Our process is built to keep your project moving: One accountable team. We handle concept, budgeting, selections, engineering, permits, and construction. Code-ready plans. We coordinate with the 2024 code trajectory so approvals go smoothly and your home performs the way it should. Clean, predictable job sites. Clear schedules, tidy work areas, and steady communication reduce disruption at home. The Bottom Line In today’s Northern Colorado market, moving often means paying more for compromises and chasing listings that may vanish. Adding space with a thoughtful remodel gives you control over cost, comfort, and timing. With 2024 codes approaching, it’s the perfect moment to design a project that fits your family now and meets tomorrow’s standards. Ready to explore your options? Schedule a design consultation with J Allen Homes. We’ll map budgets and timelines for your addition, basement finish, or ADU, and show you how to make the most of your current home.

Thinking about a remodel or a new build in Colorado? The state now has a Model Low Energy and Carbon Code (MLECC) that raises the bar for comfort, indoor air quality, and long-term operating costs. It is not about making projects harder. It’s about making homes perform better, last longer, and cost less to run. The idea is simple. When your city or county next updates its building codes after July 1, 2026, it will need to adopt the MLECC or go stricter. That means future permits will check a few more energy and ventilation boxes than you may be used to. Quick Answer: Colorado’s New Model Low Energy and Carbon Code: What You Need to Know After local code updates on or after July 1, 2026, projects follow Colorado’s Model Low Energy and Carbon Code . Expect better comfort, healthier indoor air, and stronger efficiency with flexible compliance options and demand-response capable equipment. Why Colorado Built This Code In 2022, state lawmakers passed HB22-1362 , which created an Energy Code Board to draft modern standards. The law directed the Board to publish the model code and set the adoption framework so local governments can use it the next time they refresh their building codes. The law set minimum energy code requirements while preserving local adoption. That creates more consistency across Colorado while keeping room for local choices. What does that mean for you? When your city or county updates its building code after July 1, 2026, it must adopt the MLECC or adopt something that performs even better. You’ll see clearer expectations for insulation, air sealing, equipment efficiency, wiring readiness, and ventilation on plan sets and inspections. What Changes for New Homes Expect a practical checklist that nudges projects toward better envelopes and smarter equipment. Highlights you may encounter: Envelope quality: Tighter air sealing and right-sized insulation keep temperatures steadier and cut drafts. Heating and cooling options: Both all-electric and mixed-fuel designs can comply. The code offers clear compliance paths and credits that make high-efficiency electric heat and water heating straightforward to document Demand response capable systems: New construction must include heating, cooling, water heating, and lighting controls that are demand response capable where required. These systems can respond to a utility signal during peak demand and may qualify for utility programs. Projects must meet the statewide model’s performance or prescriptive options set by the adopting jurisdiction. Check with your building department for any local amendments that apply to larger homes. For many families, high-efficiency heat pumps are attractive because one system delivers heating and cooling and performs well in cold climates. That can mean steadier comfort and lower utility bills over time. This direction aligns with Colorado’s building decarbonization goals . What Changes for Renovations, Additions, and ADUs Not every small refresh triggers major upgrades, but additions and significant remodels will interact with the MLECC once your jurisdiction adopts it. Counties and cities will use the model when updating their codes , which apply to both new construction and certain renovation scopes. The exact thresholds for what is considered an “ addition ,” “alteration,” or “substantial improvement” are set in local code text, so it is important to clarify with your building department. Two quick examples to make this real: Kitchen gut with new exterior openings: Likely triggers envelope details around new walls or windows, plus updated ventilation and right-sized equipment checks. Small bathroom refresh with fixtures only: Often, minimal energy code impacts, though local rules may still require ventilation or lighting updates. If you are planning an ADU, budget time for envelope, ventilation, and electrical capacity planning. ADUs are small, which makes good air sealing and balanced ventilation especially important for comfort and indoor air quality. Homeowners should also verify panel capacity and plan for “electric-ready” needs. The Upside for Homeowners A better code should feel better to live with. Expect steadier temperatures, quieter equipment, cleaner indoor air, and lower utility costs over time. Comfort you can feel: Tighter shells and right-sized systems mean fewer hot and cold spots. Quieter operation: Modern high-efficiency systems often run more quietly. Healthier indoor air: Balanced ventilation and filtration reduce pollutants and help manage humidity. Lower utility costs over time: Efficiency gains cut energy use and utility costs , and demand-response capability can qualify for utility programs. Resilience: Homes that hold temperature better ride out outages and heat waves more gracefully. Future-ready value: Electric-ready wiring and efficient equipment position your home for future technology and market expectations. Timeline and Who Must Adopt Here is the timing that matters for planning: Now through June 30, 2026: If a city or county updates its current code in this window, it must adopt an energy code that is at least equivalent to the 2021 IECC and include electric-ready and solar-ready provisions developed by the Energy Code Board. Starting July 1, 2026: When a city or county next updates any of its building codes, it must adopt the Model Low Energy and Carbon Code or an equivalent that achieves equal or better energy and carbon performance. The MLECC becomes the new floor at the time of each local update. Your permit will follow whatever code is in force locally when you apply. This staggered approach keeps projects moving while aiming for a consistent statewide performance level. Local adoption dates will not all be the same, so always check what is current in your jurisdiction. Cost, Equipment, and Practical Planning Upfront costs can shift depending on your starting point and project type. Many buyers offset new equipment or envelope measures with lower monthly utility bills and potential incentives. The code keeps compliance pathways flexible so builders can choose the mix that fits the design. Before you design too far, line up the basics: Energy goals: Decide whether you want all-electric or mixed fuel. Both can comply. Panel capacity: Ask your electrician to assess headroom for heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, induction, and EV charging. Ventilation plan: Specify balanced ventilation with filtration. This is a comfort and health play as much as an energy one. Envelope check: Air sealing, insulation, and high-performance windows pay you back daily. Utility coordination: Explore demand response programs and rebates that match code-ready equipment. Final Thoughts The Model Low Energy and Carbon Code is about smarter homes and lower bills, not hoops for the sake of hoops. With a clear plan, you will get a house that feels better year-round, breathes better, and costs less to operate. When you are ready, let us talk about how a code-smart plan can shape your project so construction is smooth and the results are worth it.