EXPANSIVE SOIL

Colorado soils shift. Your home shouldn’t. Understanding how to build on expansive soils.

Expansive Soil

Colorado’s beautiful Front Range and foothill landscapes are home to some of the most expansive clay soils in the country. These soils expand when wet and contract when dry, causing movement that can crack foundations, shift slabs, and damage your home over time.

At Villagree, we understand that luxury starts below the surface. That’s why we engineer every home for stability and longevity, using site-specific solutions that protect your investment and provide long-term peace of mind. 

 

Our Proven Mitigation Strategies 

  1. Geotechnical Soil Testing
  • Every project begins with a professional soil analysis by a licensed geotechnical engineer. We identify the soil type, moisture behavior, and load-bearing capacity specific to your lot.

 

  1. Structural Foundation Engineering
  • Depending on the report, we design the appropriate foundation system:
  • Standard foundation or over-excavation and reconditioning
  • Structural floors (void forms and piers)
  • Post-tensioned slabs
  • Crawlspace ventilation and drainage systems

 

  1. Controlled Site Preparation
  • We implement proper site grading, moisture conditioning as needed, and compaction to reduce risk before the first form is poured.

 

  1. Drainage Planning
  • French drains, downspout tip-outs, landscape slopes, and other strategies are installed to direct water away from the foundation—critical to controlling soil movement.

 

  1. Ongoing Protection
  • We educate homeowners on long-term water management practices and landscape placement to preserve the performance of the foundation.

 

Grounded in Engineering. Built for Longevity. 

Villagree doesn’t guess - we test, design, and build with purpose. Our homes are crafted not just to look exceptional, but to endure Colorado’s complex soil conditions with strength and resilience. 

 

Why It Matters to Test for Expansive Soil

  • Protects your custom home from structural movement and costly damage
  • Preserves finishes like tile, drywall, and flooring
  • Increases long-term resale value and confidence
  • Reflects the quality and foresight behind every Villagree home

We Don’t Just Build on the Land. We Build With It.

Foundation

FOUNDATION Strength that starts below the surface. Understanding standard basement foundations. Foundation At Villagree Luxury Homes, every build begins with a strong foundation – literally. In Colorado, a full basement foundation with concrete footings and slab is a common and reliable solution, offering added living space, long-term durability, and essential support for custom homes. We…

Hillside or Challenging Lots

HILLSIDE OR CHALLENGING LOTS The view is worth it. So is the right builder. What to expect when building on a hillside or challenging lot. Hillside or Challenging Lots Not all land is created equal and that’s where having the right Builder makes a difference. From steep slopes and rocky soils to access limitations and…

Structural Integrity

STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY Built to endure. Engineered to perform. Foundation, framing, and building science that backs it all. Structural Integrity Luxury isn’t just seen, it’s felt in how a home performs. At Villagree, we believe the most impressive structural integrity details are the ones you never see: foundations that resist shifting, framing that stands strong for…

< Return to Resources
Villagree Logo

WHERE WE BUILD

As a custom luxury home builder we serve El Paso County, Teller County, and Douglas County in Colorado Springs, Monument, Black Forest, and Surrounding Areas.

Contact Us Today

  • 719-425-0330

  • 5710 Vessey Rd

    Colorado Springs, CO 80908

Features and finishes may be design specific. Options may change at any time.