Home Shells & Garages

What is a code-compliant home shell?

A code-compliant home shell is a finished structural home shell — built to residential code with framing, sheathing, roofing, siding, windows, and doors — delivered ready for you or your contractor to complete the interior systems and finishes. We explain how shells work as affordable housing in affordable housing still exists in Colorado.

How long does it take to finish a home shell?

The shell itself goes up quickly once the foundation is ready. Finishing the interior usually takes several months and depends on your permits, your trades, and how much you do yourself — six to twelve months from shell delivery to move-in is a realistic Colorado planning window. See a real timeline in our Sunny Side home shell project in Jefferson, Colorado.

Can I use a shed as an office or studio in Colorado?

Yes — insulated studio sheds make excellent Colorado home offices, gyms, and art studios. Once you add permanent electrical, insulation, or plan to sleep in it, the building leaves the accessory-storage exemption and needs a permit and inspections. Layouts, insulation, and power are covered in our custom studio sheds in Colorado guide.

Can I build an affordable home in Colorado with a shell?

Yes — that is the point of a code-compliant shell. You buy a finished structural shell at a fixed price, then complete the interior yourself or with your own trades, which is how many Coloradans get into a new build well under local turn-key pricing. Read more in affordable housing still exists in Colorado.

Why choose a detached garage over a carport or an addition?

A detached garage gives you fully enclosed, lockable, weather-tight space without touching your home's structure or roofline. It is usually cheaper per square foot than an addition, faster to permit, and it adds resale value in Colorado. We break down the numbers in our cost to build a detached garage in Colorado guide.

What size 1-car garage do I need?

A 12x16 is the practical starting size for a smaller vehicle, a 12x20 suits most passenger vehicles, and pickup owners usually step up to a 12x24. Measure the vehicle with mirrors, then add room for doors, walking space, and storage — size-by-size square footage is in our 1-car garage size guide.

What is the difference between a prefab and a site-built garage?

A prefab garage is built completely at our Penrose shop and delivered fully assembled, usually with no delivery fee within 150 miles of Penrose. A site-built garage is built as sections in the same shop by the same crew and erected at your property, which adds on-site construction at $6.50 per square foot with a $550 minimum. We compare both in prefab vs. site-built 1-car garage.

Can I get a 1-car garage delivered fully assembled?

Yes. Our prefab 1-car garages are built at our Penrose shop and delivered fully assembled, usually free within 150 miles of Penrose, as long as the path is at least a foot wider than the building with about 16 feet of overhead clearance. If access is too tight, we build it on site. See sizes on our 1-car garage page.

Can I fit a pickup truck in a 1-car garage?

Yes, if you size up. Pickup owners usually step up to a 12x24, while a 12x20 suits most passenger vehicles and a 12x16 is the practical start for smaller cars. A 16-foot-wide garage is available as a custom option for extra door and storage room. Measure the truck with mirrors first. Sizes are compared in our 1-car garage size guide.

Can I put a garage on a gravel pad?

Sometimes, but many garages need concrete. When a building is permitted as a garage, most Colorado jurisdictions require a reinforced slab with footings to frost depth; some smaller garage-style buildings permitted as accessory storage can sit on a compacted gravel pad. Your building department decides. Both permit paths are explained in our 1-car garage permit guide.

Can I get a 2-car garage for under $50,000?

Often, yes. Our 2-car garage buildings start at $25,996, and a 20x20 with foundation and permit comes to about $45,000. Larger sizes, upgrades, electrical, and difficult site work push the total higher. Your quote is based on your design and site. See current options on our 2-car garage page.

Can I have one company handle my garage foundation and build?

Yes. We handle the garage from dirt work to finished building — site grading, the concrete foundation, permit drawings and truss certifications, and the garage itself — and you can pick only the services you need. One crew and one contact keeps scheduling simple. Turn-key garage options are on our 2-car garage page.

Can I build an RV garage or a large shop?

Yes. Beyond standard 2-car sizes, we custom-build garages to your needs and local requirements, with 4-car and RV shop layouts available on your concrete foundation. Larger buildings require a permit, engineered details, and a design consultation for an accurate quote. Start with the options on our 2-car garage page.

Can I use a detached garage as a workshop?

Yes. A detached garage makes a strong workshop because it keeps noise, dust, and tools out of the house. Plan the electrical early — workshop circuits need a permit and licensed electrician — and size for benches and machine clearance, not just the footprint. Larger layouts and options are on our 2-car garage page.

Can I finish a home shell myself?

Yes. That is how a code-compliant home shell is designed to work: we deliver the finished structural shell, and you or your own trades complete the interior systems and finishes under your permits. Licensed trades may be required for some work depending on your jurisdiction. Compare models on our code-compliant home shells page.

Can I add plumbing and electrical to a home shell?

Yes. Plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems are part of the interior work you or your contractor complete after the shell is set, under the permits and inspections your jurisdiction requires. Utility trenching for power, water, and septic can be handled by our site crew. The steps are laid out in our home shell ordering guide.

Can I put a home shell on a mountain property?

Yes. Our home shells are engineered for Colorado conditions — heavy mountain snow, wind events, and temperature swings — from the truss spec to the anchored foundation. Mountain counties often have higher snow-load and permit requirements, so engineered drawings are common. The Mountain Modern was designed for this; see the Mountain Modern home shell.

Can I get a home shell for under $40,000?

Yes, for the shell itself. The Mountain Modern home shell starts at a $36,907 base price for a 14x32, with larger sizes up to 20x60 at $57,571. Permitting runs about $4,000 to $4,700, and foundation, utilities, and interior finishing are additional. See sizes on the Mountain Modern home shell page.

Can I use a home shell as a cabin?

Yes. Our Cabin model is a code-compliant home shell designed as a cabin, giving you a permit-ready structure to finish as a getaway or full-time home on mountain or rural land. Zoning and permits still apply, as with any dwelling. See the layout and details on our Cabin home shell page.