The Grant Street multifamily project in Denver was poised to begin construction when the team encountered a problem. 

Plans for the five-story wood-framed building, built over a concrete podium, called for engineered wood parallel-strand lumber beams to bear into the exterior walls. However, the project specifications required those walls to maintain a fire-rated assembly that the proposed beam configuration couldn’t satisfy. 

Thankfully, Colt Builders identified this critical discrepancy between the architectural and structural drawings before the mistake could stall the project. Colt proposed a code-compliant solution that used the existing PSL beams in combination with face-mounted hangers and a rated wall assembly, eliminating the need for beam penetration while maintaining the required fire rating.

The design team approved Colt’s proposed solution, allowing the project to avoid costly materials changes, eliminating a potential six-to-10-week procurement delay and keeping construction on schedule. According to Colt Chief Development Officer Janusz Sakowicz, this is a prime example of the time and cost savings that can result from involving Colt’s preconstruction team as early as possible in a project’s timeline. 

“The team identified the issue well before production began, allowing it to be addressed without disrupting fabrication, field operations or the project schedule,” Sakowicz said. “The key to the project’s success was early collaboration and a proactive review process that resolved a potential problem before it became a costly field issue.” 

Colt views preconstruction as the project’s first line of defense, he said. The goal is to identify coordination challenges, constructability concerns, cost impacts and potential field issues before production begins, when solutions are generally faster and less expensive to implement.

Colt’s design-assist and engineering capabilities add another level of value by bringing experienced, in-house technical expertise directly into the planning process, said Tres Warner, director of preconstruction and advisory services. Rather than simply identifying a problem, the team works to develop practical alternatives that support the design intent while improving constructability, controlling costs and protecting the schedule.

Colt Builders CEO Glen Yates said the company has seen great success in the last 20 years, thanks to its commitment to its clients and dedicated employees who are passionate about delivering the best possible solutions. 

“We can’t control everything, but when we encounter a problem, we always face it head-on,” Yates said. 

That proactive approach continues through production and installation. Colt uses quality-control processes and technology platforms such as Fieldwire to document progress, create reports, track issues and communicate clearly with both internal teams and project partners. 

“This connection between preconstruction, engineering, production and field operations helps Colt manage labor, maintain quality and meet client expectations throughout the project,” Warner said.  

Another tool Colt uses to help clients stay on time and on budget is its Long-Term Material Hold Program, which gives qualified general contractors and developers the ability to secure materials pricing and supply between nine and 24 months before construction. The program is designed to reduce exposure to material-price volatility, vendor uncertainty and future procurement challenges while creating greater predictability for project budgets and schedules, Sakowicz said. 

Colt is also passionate about risk mitigation, Sakowicz said, which it views as an ongoing process that begins during preconstruction and continues through project completion.

“Early technical reviews help identify potential issues before they affect production or field installation, while tools such as Fieldwire allow project teams to document work, generate reports, monitor quality and communicate issues in real time,” he said. 

Colt also manages risk through careful oversight of its subcontractor network. Subcontractors are required to meet substantial insurance requirements and operate within Colt’s safety, quality and performance expectations. In certain markets, Colt supplements or replaces subcontracted crews with its own hourly workforce, providing greater control over labor availability, workmanship, productivity and schedule performance. 

Together, these practices reduce uncertainty, improve accountability and allow potential problems to be addressed before they create higher costs or schedule impacts, Sakowicz said. 

Colt’s ultimate goal is to operate as an accountable project partner that takes ownership of its scope and actively helps drive the schedule, he said. 

“We work to reduce the amount of day-to-day oversight required from the general contractor so the client can remain focused on the broader project, confident that the framing scope is being managed effectively,” Sakowicz said. 

One of Colt’s strongest differentiators is its willingness to run toward problems rather than allowing them to remain unresolved. The team communicates issues early, develops practical solutions and coordinates not only within its own trade but also with adjacent trades when necessary to keep the project moving, he said. 

“That commitment is reflected in Colt’s brand promise: Your project partner, delivering excellence from start to finish,” Sakowicz said.

This article was produced in collaboration between Colt Builders and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.