Why Site Prep Matters: Avoid These Costly Mistakes When Building in Colorado
- Julian Garber
- Oct 23
- 2 min read
Before the first post goes in the ground or concrete is poured, there's one thing that can make or break your entire pole barn or garage project: site preparation.
At VWC Construction, we believe a strong building starts with solid ground—and that’s why we partner exclusively with our sister company, Excavate Colorado, to provide professional, reliable dirt work across southern Colorado.
Whether you're building a garage in Pueblo West or a livestock shelter in Trinidad, here's what you need to know about proper site prep—and how we make it easy from start to finish.
What Does “Site Prep” Include?
Site prep refers to all the work needed before construction starts, including:
Clearing and leveling the build site
Grading and compacting a solid pad
Managing drainage and water runoff
Ensuring equipment and material access
Prepping for concrete slabs, posts, or utilities
In places like Fremont, Las Animas, and Huerfano Counties, the terrain can be rocky, sloped, or wind-prone—so getting this step right is critical.
What Happens If You Skip It?
Trying to save money by skipping professional site prep almost always costs more in the long run. Here's why:
Poor drainage = flooding and damageWithout proper slope and grading, water pools around the building, rotting posts, rusting metal, and cracking concrete.
Uneven pad = settling and shiftingA building that's not level or compacted properly can shift over time, leading to frame stress, door alignment issues, and structural damage.
Poor access = project delaysIf heavy equipment can’t get in—or if materials can’t be staged safely—it slows the entire job down and adds cost.
🤝 Meet Excavate Colorado: Our Trusted Site Prep Partner
While VWC Construction focuses on high-quality pole barns, garages, and livestock shelters, Excavate Colorado is our go-to excavation team for:
Driveway access and site clearing
Pad grading and compaction
Water drainage planning
Frost footers and slab prep
We coordinate directly with their crew to ensure your entire project is seamless, from ground-breaking to final trim-out.
No hiring multiple contractors. No miscommunications. Just a smooth, local, all-in-one build process.
Colorado Terrain? We've Got You Covered
With experience across rugged properties in:
Westcliffe and Cotopaxi
Pueblo West and Penrose
Trinidad, Walsenburg, and Aguilar
La Junta and Rocky Ford
Excavate Colorado understands the unique soil conditions, elevation challenges, and drainage patterns that many national builders overlook.
Don’t Let Poor Prep Undermine Your Investment
We’ve seen it all: cracked concrete, rotting posts, and doors that won’t shut—all because of rushed or skipped site prep.
That’s why we never cut corners when it comes to dirt work. With VWC Construction and Excavate Colorado, you get:
Local crews who care
Clear, honest communication
A finished building you’ll be proud of
Get a Quote That Includes Everything—From Ground to Roof
📞 Call us today at 719-480-9262
👉 Request a full-site + building quote
📸 Or view projects that started with great dirt work
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