Five Things That Make Foothills Builds Different

About a third of our work is in the foothills west of Denver, and those projects share a set of challenges that metro lots simply don't have. If you're considering land in Evergreen, Golden, or the coalitions of unincorporated Jefferson County, here is what will shape your budget and schedule.

Soils first. Bentonite and other expansive clays are common, and many foothills sites need over-excavation or drilled piers. A soils report before you close on land is the cheapest insurance in the entire process.

Slope changes everything, from foundation type, driveway grade (and whether a fire truck can make it in January), drainage, and where the septic can legally go. Wildfire codes drive material choices: ignition-resistant siding, Class A roofing, tempered glass, and defensible-space landscaping are standard practice in our foothills specifications, not upgrades.

Finally, water and schedule. Well depths in the foothills have trended deeper, and a winter concrete pour is possible but costs more. Buyers who close on land in spring and start design immediately give themselves the best chance of framing before the snow.