Who We Work With
Sewer Lines Only works with three types of contractors on projects across the Denver metro. Each has a different scope requirement, but the underlying problem is the same: underground plumbing work that needs a specialist with locating equipment, excavation capability, and permit familiarity.
ADU Contractors
ADU builds in Denver run into underground utility surprises more often than any other residential project type. City maps are frequently wrong about where laterals run, what size the existing water service is, and whether the sewer has the capacity for an additional dwelling unit. Finding that out after the foundation is in costs far more than finding it out at the start.
We provide utility discovery and field verification before the foundation is designed, SUDP submission support through DOTI, and full underground installation from sewer tap to water service connection. ADU contractors who work with us once tend to put us on every subsequent project because we eliminate the sub-coordination problem entirely.
What Sewer Lines Only Handles on Contractor Projects
1. Utility Discovery and Site Evaluation
Before any excavation, design, or permit submission, you need to know what is actually in the ground. City maps and architectural plans frequently show sewer lateral routing, depth, and condition that does not match what the camera finds. Water service size and pressure documented on city records often differs from field measurements.
We provide field-verified utility data: sewer line locating and scoping (routing, depth, condition, size), water service evaluation (pressure, size, current condition, and whether upsizing is required), gas service review, and identification of conflicts with footers, utilities, and site layout.
This step costs a fraction of the rework that happens when a foundation design conflicts with an undiscovered utility. On ADU projects specifically, skipping the site evaluation is the most common reason for mid-project delays and budget overruns.
ADU Plumbing in Denver: What the Permit Process Actually Requires
Denver’s ADU program has grown considerably since the city expanded zoning permissions for accessory structures. That growth has created a large pool of GCs who are building ADUs for the first time and running into the utility process without a reliable sub who knows it.
Here is what the underground plumbing process on a Denver ADU actually involves:
| Step | What Happens and Who Handles It |
| Site evaluation | Field verification of sewer lateral routing, depth, condition, and capacity. Water service size and pressure check. Conflict identification with proposed foundation and site layout. SLO performs this before any design work is finalized. |
| Denver Water consultation | System Development Charges (SDCs) apply to new ADU connections. Meter size and demand determine fees. Existing service size dictates whether upsizing is required. SLO evaluates current service capacity and flags upsizing requirements before the application. |
| SUDP (DOTI) | Required for every ADU structure. Must be submitted through Denver E-Permits by the property owner’s authorized agent or GC — SLO cannot submit on their behalf. Covers sanitary sewer, storm drainage, and quality control devices. SLO prepares accurate documents, advises on submission, and responds to review comments. |
| Underground installation | Sewer connection, water service, storm drain, and gas line work after permit approval. SLO handles excavation, installation, inspection coordination, and site restoration. |
| Rough-in and finish | For projects where SLO handles the complete plumbing scope: bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, fixtures, water heater, final inspections. |
The projects that stay on schedule are the ones that complete site evaluation and SUDP submission before the foundation design is final. Changes to the sewer lateral routing or water service configuration after the foundation is in are expensive. We push for early engagement on every ADU project for that reason.
How We Work With Contractor Project Managers
Contractors need subcontractors who reduce coordination overhead, not add to it. Here is how we structure the working relationship.
- One crew, no handoffs. Our excavation teams, plumbers, and project managers are all direct employees. We own the equipment. There is no excavation sub and plumbing sub to coordinate between. When you call us, one company handles the full underground scope.
- Project manager communication, not dispatcher relay. We communicate directly with GC project managers, not through a call center. When something changes on site, you hear from the person who is running the job.
- Sequencing-aware scheduling. We know where we fit in the construction sequence and schedule our work around the framing and concrete crews, not the other way around.
- City coordination in-house. We manage SUDP submissions, respond to city review comments, schedule inspections, and handle the permit communication so that work does not land back on the GC’s plate.
- Free estimates and second opinions. If you have a quote from another sub that looks wrong, we will review it. If you are scoping a project and need a number before committing to the owner, we provide estimates at no charge.
- Complimentary post-repair and post-installation camera video. Every completed underground installation includes camera footage showing the finished work. That documentation protects the contractor when the owner or inspector has questions after the fact.
Underground Plumbing Services for Contractor Projects
- All of the services below are available as a standalone scope or as part of a complete underground-to-finish engagement depending on what the project requires.
- Sewer line installation and rerouting for ADU connections and commercial new builds
- Sewer line repair for existing laterals that fail inspection or camera review prior to project start
- Sewer line replacement where the existing lateral cannot meet current code or capacity requirements
- Trenchless sewer repair (CIPP lining, pipe bursting) where no-dig methods reduce surface disruption
- Underground sewer repair for deep or buried line failures that require excavation
- Commercial water line repair and installation including upsizing for increased demand from new construction
- Storm sewer connections for drainage compliance and SUDP review requirements
- Sewer line cleaning of existing laterals before SUDP submission or project start to establish baseline condition
Why Contractors Choose Sewer Lines Only
- Specialization in underground sewer and water work. We do not dilute across every plumbing category. Excavation, sewer, and water line work is what we do. That depth shows in how our crews handle permit issues, unusual field conditions, and inspection coordination.
- Owned equipment and direct employee crews. No subcontracting on underground work. One accountable company from site evaluation to final inspection.
- ADU permit process experience. We have processed SUDP applications in Denver across a wide range of property conditions. That experience prevents the correction comments and re-submission cycles that push ADU timelines.
- 5-year transferable warranty on all sewer line repairs and replacements.
- 900 plus five-star reviews across residential and commercial clients, including contractor referrals.
- No upselling. We scope what is needed, present options with written pricing, and let the contractor and owner decide. We do not recommend underground replacement when a repair or cleaning is the right call.
