Home repair in Fort Collins, CO

Fort Collins homes at a glance

Median year built

1992

Built before 1960

9%

Built since 2000

37%

Owner-occupied

52%

Median home value

$577,900

Main heat

Gas, 66%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates

What Fort Collins’s housing means for repairs

Fort Collins grew quickly in recent decades. Its median home was built in 1992, 37% of homes were built since 2000, and only 9% predate 1960, mostly in Old Town. Detached houses and owner-occupied homes each come to 52% of the stock, and the median value is $577,900.

Newer subdivisions on the city's south and east sides have basements, larger HVAC systems and HOAs. Expansive soils can cause basement slab cracks and drywall cracks as homes settle. Two-thirds of homes (66%) heat with gas. Colorado State University brings many rentals, so owners often maintain houses split among tenants. Older Old Town homes have plaster, older wiring and brick foundations.

Weather that wears on Fort Collins homes

Fort Collins sits at the base of the foothills, with a dry, sunny climate and big temperature swings between day and night. Hailstorms hit often in late spring and summer and can damage whole neighborhoods at once. Strong sun at elevation breaks down paint, caulk, vinyl and roofing faster than in lower cities. Expansive clay soils shift with moisture, cracking basement slabs and foundation walls in newer subdivisions. The 1997 Spring Creek flood showed how quickly heavy rain can overwhelm local drainage, and the 2020 Cameron Peak fire filled the city with smoke. Radon levels are high across northern Colorado, so testing is common during home sales.

Common repairs in Fort Collins

• Hail roof and siding repair

  Foothills hailstorms damage roofs, gutters and siding across Fort Collins.

• Settling cracks in drywall

  Expansive soils move newer homes, cracking drywall at corners of doors and windows.

• Exterior caulk and paint

  Dry air and strong sun crack caulk and fade paint on south and west sides.

• Furnace service

  Gas furnaces in Fort Collins basements need yearly checks before cold fronts arrive.

What these repairs cost

The middle half of Runhome repair estimates nationwide for each kind of job. Your price depends on the scope of the work.

Fix guides for Fort Collins homeowners

• Ceiling is sagging or coming loose with no leak above it

  Soil movement and settling in newer Fort Collins homes can loosen ceiling drywall.

• Wood doors and cabinet fronts are scratched, gouged or missing veneer

  Rental turnovers near CSU often require door and cabinet touch-ups.

• Screen is broken, bent or blown out of a window or gable vent

  Foothills storms shred window screens on Fort Collins homes.

Seasonal checklist

Summer

After hail, check gutters, screens and your roof and photograph damage for insurance.

Fall

Reseal exterior caulk and service your furnace before freezing weather.

Winter

Disconnect hoses and drain sprinkler lines before the first hard freeze.

Common questions

Are drywall cracks in my newer Fort Collins home normal?

Small cracks at door and window corners are common as homes settle on expansive soil. Widening cracks, sloping floors or doors that stop closing need a foundation evaluation. Runhome estimates the patch and paint from photos.

How do I prepare a CSU-area rental between tenants?

Common turnover work includes patching drywall, painting, fixing doors and cabinets and replacing worn fixtures. Runhome can price a list of repairs at once from photos.

Do I need a radon system in Fort Collins?

Northern Colorado has high radon levels, so testing is recommended. When a test comes back high, contractors install a vent pipe and fan that draw soil gas from under the slab.

Neighborhoods served

• Old Town
• Midtown
• Campus West
• Rigden Farm

Other Colorado cities

• Home repair in Aurora
• Home repair in Colorado Springs
• Home repair in Denver
• Home repair in Lakewood
• Home repair in Thornton