Proper site work and foundation construction are as critical to the overall quality and healthfulness of a home as the building shell that is constructed above grade. As a result, a builder’s job begins before the very first shovel of dirt comes out of the ground, not after the foundation is completed. This program highlights the physical processes at work below grade--processes related to temperature, water, moisture, and air--and how they can cause a variety of problems that not only affect occupant health, but may also compromise the building structure. The session offers practical how-to guidance on ways to avoid mistakes in site drainage and foundation construction: mistakes that are costly and difficult to fix.