5-Star General Contractors in Colorado

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Believe it or not, December may be a good time to do some home renovations. Business is slower for general contractors and materials may be less expensive. Also, contractors may be eager to find work since this is usually their slow season. Continue reading for some of the top rated general contractors in your area. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Top General Contractors in Colorado

One of the best general contractors in Colorado is Ace Handyman Services. Ace started in 1998 and have served over 100,000 homes. You simply can’t beat those numbers! Ace does it all. They do tiling for kitchens, baths, and entryways. Also, they can help with deck builds and repair, including siding, fascia, and soffit repair and replacement. They also do doors, drywall install and repair, texture, electrical, fence and gate repair, flooring and dryer vent repair. They have guys for gutter cleaning and repair, weather stripping, exterior maintenance, painting and staining, leaks and drips, garbage disposal, and faucet leaks. You name it, they can probably help you with it.

Another great company to hire general contractors is Handyman Hub, Home Repairs and Remodeling: Handyman Hub started 1994 and have served over 5,000 homes. According to them, “We pride ourselves on our superior customer service and providing quality workmanship at an affordable price. Our craftsmen are the best in the business, with an average of 26 years of remodeling experience. We do not markup materials, saving you money. You’ll be glad you called Handyman Hub.” Also, they specialize in home repairs and remodeling, bathrooms and kitchens, tile repair, tile flooring, luxury vinyl flooring, and grout repair. Handyman Hub can help you with caulking, lighting, faucet replacement, garbage disposals, toilets, safety bars, drywall, paint, doors and trim, molding, carpentry, decks, gates and fence repairs.

5-Star Rated Gutter Companies in Colorado

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Before you know it, it will be snowy season in Colorado. You know what that means—it’s time to get those gutters cleaned out. Don’t know any good gutter companies in Colorado? No worries. We’ve put a list together of some of the best gutter companies we’ve working with in the past. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Top Rated Gutter Companies in Colorado

One of the best gutter companies in Colorado is K Guard. K Guard was established in 2017 by Brain, the son of Jackson Bain. K Guard has a personal touch because they are a small company of about eight employees. The goal of the K Guard system is that homeowners will never have to clean their gutters ever again. This ultimate goal is Indicative of their motto: “Make the last time you cleaned your gutters the last time you clean your gutters.” The guards that they install above your gutters are guaranteed to keep debris from clogging your gutters and they offer different warranty packages.

Another wonderful gutter company in Colorado is Leaf Guard. Leaf Guard has been in the gutter game since 1966 and that kind of experience is invaluable. They have served well over seven thousand homeowners. Leaf Guard strives to “deliver a legendary, hassle-free customer experience by providing you with a superior product that gives you peace of mind, protects your home, and keeps you off of ladders. We educate homeowners on different gutter protection options and why Leaf Guard provides superior results.”

Five Star Rated Roofers in Colorado

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Need to repair to roof of your horse stalls or barn before winter? Though many repairs on your outbuildings can be done yourself, roofing is a bit more tricky. Unless you have experience working with roofing, hire a professional to do the work. Here is a list of some of the five star rated roofers in Colorado. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Five Star Rated Roofers in Colorado

At the top of our list of five star rated roofers in Colorado is K&H Home Solutions. K&H has been around since 1956, so you know that have the experience it takes to get the job done right. “K&H has been creating happy and delighted customers, just like you, for over 60 years throughout Denver and along the Front Range. Our vision is to deliver the best home improvement experience possible before, during, and after our client’s remodeling project. Our entire foundation is built on a legacy of providing a deeply satisfying experience to ensure that you know you made the right choice with K&H Home Solutions.”

There’s also Thiessen Construction & Roofing. A family owned business that’s been around since 2002. And being a family business, Thiessen Construction & Roofing provides very personalized service. They use the same installation crews for all of their work. Theissen offers 5-year warranties, which is great when it comes to the harsh Colorado climate. Also, Theissen doesn’t ask for any money up front. They make sure you’re completely satisfied before paying.

The Truth About Mountain Homes

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Are you looking for a home that offers peace and quiet with amazing mountain views? Moving to a mountain town will give you some of the best views in Colorado and less neighbors to deal with. But not every mountain home is worth the hassle. There are some things that you should ask your realtor about when looking for mountain homes to purchase. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Ask Your Agent Before Buying Mountain Homes

The first thing you want to talk to your real estate agent about is finding a mountain home with good accessibility and utilities. Find out how the road is cleared when it snows or ices over. And when it comes to utilities, ask about the septic tank and how it gets serviced. When things break down over time, they will need to fixed by professionals, many of which require a large utility vehicle. If your home is hard to access for large trucks, then that can be a real problem or cost you more money down the road.

Always keep location in mind when checking out a property. If you are an avid skier, then living near a ski resort will be a plus. However, if you are not a skier, know that there may be extra traffic and people in the area for the skiing attractions. Also, ask about the condition of the roads or check them out yourself when viewing the property. Is the road/driveway paved or not? It is not uncommon to see a gravel road and driveway up to homes in the mountains. Do you have the proper vehicle to get up the incline in snowy weather? Remember, this is not to discourage anyone. These types of homes are often wonderful and give many homeowners are a great quality of life. Just make sure you know what you’re getting into before signing a contract.

Barn Apartments

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Barn apartments are living spaces built into or above barns. There are many benefits to having this type of living space. Barn apartments serve many purposes. They provide housing for caretakers. Barn apartments are often used as a study or recreational space. They can even be used as a guest house for visitors. Planning is an important process when building any living space. The following are a few things to consider when working on your own barn apartments. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Barn Apartment Planning

The first thing to think about when building your barn apartment is noise. There’s no way around it—horses are noisy. This makes sleeping in an apartment that’s beside or above a barn challenging. When planning out the space, try to position the bedroom next to or above the tack or feed room. These types of rooms are typically more quiet than the rest of the barn. Unfortunately, some designs can’t accommodate this. If you have to put the bedroom above the horse stalls, remember to use sound dampening materials during construction. A well-insulated room is just as good at keeping out animal noises.

Like any living space, your barn apartment will need utility access. With careful planning, you can take advantage of the utilities that your barn already has. This is particularly good when it comes to plumbing. By positioning the bathroom and kitchen above or next to the barn’s bathroom, you can use the existing piping in your build. The same goes for installing heating and electrical systems in the living space. Piggy-backing on ducts or electrical lines that are already there could save you time and money in your build.

FAQs Colorado Horse Properties

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Owning a Colorado horse property means that you can have your horses at home. This is a fact that’s much more appealing than the alternative of keeping your horses boarded off-site. Not only is it less convenient, it is also very expensive. Therefore, if you’re planning on becoming first time horse buyers, you might have to move in order to have the space and freedom you need. Here are some facts about horse properties that we get asked about a lot. You should consider them when looking for a home for you and your horse.

Frequently Asked Questions about Colorado Horse Properties

Space is very important and you should determine how much land you need before you start looking at properties. Three acres may be sufficient if you want to have a small backyard barn with two horses, but that will differ from person to person. Plan ahead of time of how much you want to grow your herd. You may need more land than you originally thought. Then there’s barns. Some horse properties will already have them and some of them will not. Just because a house is zoned for horses and other animals doesn’t mean that the previous owner had them. Therefore, the property might not have a barn. There are many barn builders in the state of Colorado. Plan out how much of a barn you will need and then shop around.

What about pastures? Are they already available on the property? Are they large enough to support the number of horses that you plan on having? If possible, look at the quality of the grass in the pastures. Having pastures with lots of grass can help to reduce your hay bill during the summer. Finally, take a step back and look at the overall layout of the property. Is the barn located behind the house or off to the side? Are the pastures easily accessible by road? A property’s layout can be a major feature which isn’t easily changed. The Realtors here at Colorado Horse Property know what to look for when it comes to horse properties and can help you find the perfect home for you. Give the Colorado Horse Property team a call today!

How to Prevent Barn Fires

How to Prevent Barn Fires

Winter is the best time to prepare your property for barn fires. Barn fires can be very devastating, not only to the owners but to the products and animals inside them. Take some time this January to think about what is in or around your barn that could be a risk of causing a fire. Here are a few tips when it comes to preventing barn fires.

Preventing Barn Fires

Smoking around barns is unsafe; it is also one of the most common causes of fires. Your barn and property must be smoke-free. Implement a “no-smoking” policy on your property and post signs. Enforce your policy actively. While many people cannot install sprinkler systems, everyone can and should install smoke detectors. You will need a detector that has the ability to distinguish smoke from dust. In order for your smoke detection system to really work, it must be installed by a professional who knows exactly what type to use and where to place individual detectors. Lightning is more common in some areas of the country than others. Strikes are more likely in exposed areas, particularly at high altitudes. Lightning is also common in some states such as Florida. Regardless of where you live, it is relatively simple to protect your buildings from lightning. Lighting protection consists of a rod and a grounding device.

Do not store combustible items in your barn. These include gasoline, volatile fluids, aerosols, paints, and compressed gases. If you must store these items, keep them away from people and animals in separate structures that are designated for storage. For more information, contact Colorado Horse Property. If you are looking to buy a horse property in Colorado, talk to one of our premiere horse person realtors today.

Horse Stable Surfaces and Flooring

Stable Flooring

What Surface or Flooring is Best for Your Horses?

So you’re thinking about building or renovating your stables and you don’t know what surface you should use for your horse? We can help. Most of the specialists will tell you that one of the most important things for your horse’s health is what they walk on. What a horse walks on has such an impact on their joints. The following is a list of horse stable surfaces commonly used in the United States. For more information, contact Colorado Horse Property today. I you are looking for a horse property for sale, one of our horse-person Realtors® are standing by.

Horse Stable Surfaces

Soil, Sand, or Clay Surfaces

Chances are, your stall has one of these three surfaces. Leaving this surface intact is inexpensive and a healthy option for your horse. However, your floors may require daily upkeep so they stay level. The soil will eventually have to be replaced over time.

Even clay surfaces will require a lot of maintenance in horse stalls. If the clay surface gets wet, it can be dangerously slippery for your horse. Horses dig holes in clay. Therefore, use crushed gravel underneath.

Crushed Limestone Surfaces

Opposed to a more natural surface, this type of surface will have to be installed. Crushed limestone provides good drainage if properly installed with several inches over a bed of sand. It’s also a non-slip surface. However, limestone packs to an almost concrete-like hardness. Stall mats and deep bedding provide comfortable footing for your horse.

Gravel of Crusher Dust Surfaces

Fine gravel or crusher dust can be a comfortable, safe stall flooring. Installers pack and level gravel. The benefit of crushed gravel is that it provides good drainage if properly installed several inches thick. It’s also a non-slip surface.

However, gravel or Crusher dust is not as easy to clean as concrete. Over time the gravel will compact down which means stall mats and/or deep bedding will be needed to provide comfortable footing for your horse.

Asphalt Surfaces

Asphalt is a bit easier on a horse’s legs than concrete and can be made so it drains relatively well. When first laid, asphalt is non-slip, but may become slicker over time. Lay asphalt surfaces thick enough that it does not crack. It’s easy to clean, although disinfecting the porous surface may be difficult. Asphalt may be one of the less-expensive options for stall floors and aisles.

Flooring

Concrete Flooring

Concrete flooring make good horse stable surfaces. It is very durable and easy to clean and is hard to damage. However, concrete surfaces are slippery. Use smooth finished concrete for attractive and easy to sweep in feed and tack rooms. However, textured concrete is better for stalls and aisles.

If horses are kept in for long periods of time, it will be healthier for their legs if rubber stall mats are laid over the concrete, or at very least, the stall is bedded deeply. It also tends to be very cold and damp, so some horses may be reluctant to lie down in their stalls.

Rubber Mat Flooring

Several types of Rubber mats are available for stalls and stable walkways. For starters, hosing down and sweeping equestrian mats is easier than gravel. Cleaning gravel or other natural surfaces is very difficult. A thick rubber mat provides great cushioning for your horse’s legs as well as insulation.

Rubber mats are best if laid over a nice flat surface that drains well. They are often used on top on concrete and usually come in the form of interlocking tiles that can be cut to fit your stalls or chosen area.

Wood Flooring

Wood was once the standard flooring material in horse stables. These floors are easier on a horse’s legs than many other choices. It’s warm, non-slip when dry and has relatively low upkeep. Used treated wood as much as you can. Treated wood prevents rot from urine and water spills. Treated wood also dissuades rodents and bugs from chewing through it.

The wood planks should be at least two inches thick and sit atop a base of sand or gravel for drainage. Fill any spaces between planks with sand so that feed and bedding don’t spill through.

The downside of wood floors is that they can be slippery when wet, they can hold odor, can be damaged by pawing horses and can be hard to disinfect. The cost of plank flooring is one factor that makes this a less popular option than it once was.

Interlocking Brick Flooring

Interlocking brick or pavers are attractive but present the same problems as concrete floors. Because of the grooves between the pavers, they can be a bit harder to clean.

Rubber and synthetic bricks are other options, and these are easy on a horse’s legs, provide good drainage and are non-slip. This is probably the most expensive option for stall and aisle flooring.

Grid Flooring

Several types of grid floors are available for stalls. Installers lay these honeycomb-patterned grids over a few inches of sand or crushed gravel and then fill with crushed gravel or stone dust to make a floor that drains well.

Horse Barn Types

Horse Barn

What Type of Horse Barn Suites Your Needs?

One of the things that horse owners have to keep in mind when moving, is what type of outbuildings they’ll need. Maybe you need a small shed for your horses or maybe you require a bigger horse barn. But what type of shed or barn fits your needs the best? Below is a list of the most common horse barns and sheds.

If you are looking for horse property in Colorado, consider contacting one of our horse-person Realtors at Colorado Horse Property. You can also search our site for horse properties for sale and properties for sale with barns.

Horse Barn

Pole Barn

A Pole Barn is different from other types of barns because its framing is built of wood roof trusses connected to vertical columns. These barns also have secondary structural members such as wall headers, roof purlins and wall girts to support the exterior cladding.

Post and Beam Barn

A Post and Beam Barn uses heavier wooden timbers than other types of barns. The wooden timbers join together with either carved wood joinery or metal heavy duty plates. Post and beam barns have an exposed structural frame, which a lot of horse owners like for the aesthetics.

Modular Barn

A Modular Barn is a type of horse barn that is delivered completely built or delivered in pre-built sections and assembled on location. Completely built modular barns include portable horse sheds, small storage barns and similar buildings. This type of barn is typically more affordable.

Gable Barn

A Gable Barn is  simple a type of horn barn that has a triangular shaped roof.  The roof on the Gable Barn has a single slope on each side of the roof. Because of the natural A-shape of a gable barn, they are also referred to as A-Frame Barns.

Gambrel Barn

A Gambrel Barn is a type of barn that has a double sloped roof on each side, with lower slopes having a steeper roof pitch than the upper slope. Gambrel Barns are also sometimes called Dutch Barns. A Gambrel Barn is mostly constructed for the purpose of having extra attic space.

Bank Barn

A Bank Barn is a type of horse barn that’s built into the side of a hill. This unique building style is to provide access to both first and second floors at ground level or via a built-up ramp. The first floor of a Bank Barn is built with either cement blocks filled with concrete or poured concrete walls, to make it stronger.

Monitor Barn

A Monitor Barn is a type of barn that has the center portion of its roof raised or pushed up from the main portion of the roof. This raised roof is typically supported by the addition of knee walls. This type of barn is also commonly referred to as a Raid-Roof Barn.

Horse Sheds

Lean-To Shed

A Lean-to Shed is a type of shed built with a large front overhang which is supported by posts and headers. This overhanging room provides better protection for your horses that experience regularly experience poor weather conditions. The overhanging section can be enclosed if you decide to build on to the structure.

Run In Shed

A Run-in Shed is a type of shed with three sides and an open front that provides horses and other farm animals with a temporary shelter from weather elements. This type of shed was originally built for horses to literally run into the shed. A Run-in Shed can also be used as a loafing shed.

Shed Row

A Shed Row is a horse shed with a single row of stalls. You can think of a Shed Row as a Lean-to Shed without the overhanging roof structure. You can also think of a Shed Row as a Run-in Shed that is covered on all sides. In other words, this type of shed is the middle ground between the other two types of sheds.

Horse Fencing by Affordability

Affordability Matters

Managing and rearing horses is definitely a hard and rewarding job. Only a select few people have the temperance for it. There are a lot of costs when it comes to owning horses that most people don’t think about. Depending on how much land and horses you have, fencing can be one of those big costs. Here is a list of horse fencing ordered by price. Now you can get what suits your situation the best.

The prices used below are averages used across the industry. For the most accurate prices you should contact your local manufacturers. For more information, contact Colorado Horse Property today. If you or someone you know is looking for a horse property, farm for sale, or horse lot for sale, we have horse-person Realtors standing by right now.

Low Cost Horse Fencing

Barbed Wire Fencing—This type of fencing will cost you $0.03 – $0.05 per foot and is one of the most cost effective types of horse fencing that you can buy. Barbed wire provides a solid barrier for horses, but can potentially be harmful to horses that are not used to it.
Bare Wire Fencing— This type of fencing will cost you $0.03 – $0.12 per wire and has the potential to be very cost effective depending on where you buy. Installation and maintenance is a breeze with bare wire fencing, though it does have less visibility for horses.
Braided Electrical Fencing—This type of fencing will cost you $0.10 – $0.14 per braid. This type of electrical fencing is more reliable when it comes to power wastage, though with all electrical fencing it will increase your monthly electrical bill.
Electric Tape Fencing—This type of fencing will cost you $0.04 – $0.28 per tape. Electrical tape is more visible for horses than the other low cost options, which reduces the chance of inexperienced horses getting tangled in your fencing.

Medium Cost Horse Fencing

High Tensile Polymer Line Fencing—This type of fencing will cost you $0.11 – $0.13 per line. This coated fencing is much safer for horses when it comes to cuts and abrasions, which is important because this fencing does have less visibility.
Polymer Line Fencing—This type of fencing will cost you $0.14 – $0.21 per line. This type of fencing is nearly maintenance free. However, if a horse becomes tangled in this fencing, it can break easily. So if you have a horse that is an escape artist, then this could be a problem.
High Tensile Polymer Rail Fencing—This type of fencing will cost you $0.58 – $0.98 per rail. HTP rail fencing is more durable than your low cost options and is very easy to maintain. HTP rails also comes in a variety of colors, a customization that other fencing options don’t have.
Vinyl Rail Fencing—This type of fencing will cost you $0.90 – $1.10 per rail. Vinyl fencing is popular because it is nearly maintenance free and is highly visible for horses. This type of fencing also gives you more variety in color and style.

High Cost Horse Fencing

Hot-Coat High Tensile Polymer Fencing—This type of fencing will cost you $1.10 – $1.15 per rail and line. Like regular HTP rail fencing, hot-coat fencing is very durable and is easier to maintain. Hot-coat fencing is a continuous line, which is better for those escape artist horses out there.
No-Climb Fencing—This type of fencing will cost you $1.39 – $1.89 per foot. This type of fencing is best for keeping out other animals, like dogs, coyotes, foxes, etc. However, this fencing requires more maintenance than other high cost fencing.
Wooden Rail Fencing—This type of fencing will cost you $3.00 – $9.00 per foot. This is the more expensive option and requires more maintenance. However, you can’t beat the classic style that it brings to the neighborhood.