A soils report — formally a geotechnical investigation report — is produced by a licensed geotechnical engineer from soil borings or test pits, laboratory testing, and engineering analysis. It provides soil bearing capacity, expansion potential, groundwater depth, and specific foundation design recommendations for the parcel. Most Utah municipalities require soil reports for new construction on sloped sites, known problem soil areas, and commercial projects. Structural engineers require them on most Wasatch Front residential projects due to the known prevalence of expansive soil. A soils report costs $2,000–$5,000 and produces the data that drives foundation design decisions worth $35,000–$80,000. RainFire Builders coordinates soil reports on every project where site-specific conditions are unknown — meaning almost every new construction project on the Wasatch Front.