
Why Utah Builders Are Ditching Concrete Footings for Ground Screws
Why Utah Builders Are Ditching Concrete Footings for Ground Screws

Concrete footings have been the go-to foundation solution for decades—but things are changing fast. At Warrior Built, we’re seeing more and more contractors, homeowners, and outdoor living specialists make the switch to ground screws as their preferred foundation method. And with good reason.
Whether you’re working in a mountain town, tight urban lot, or remote cabin location, ground screws offer a faster, cleaner, and often stronger alternative to traditional concrete footings. In this blog, we’ll break down what ground screws are, how they compare to concrete, and why Warrior Built is leading the charge in this construction shift.
What Are Ground Screws?
Ground screws—sometimes called helical piles or earth screws—are steel anchors that are drilled into the ground using specialized machinery. They function much like a giant screw: as they rotate, their threads grip into the soil and lock the shaft into place, creating a stable, load-bearing foundation without the need for excavation or curing time.
Most ground screws are:
Galvanized or stainless steel for corrosion resistance
Pre-engineered with load ratings
Installed with torque monitoring to ensure stability
Compatible with framing brackets or post supports

Why Builders Are Moving Away from Concrete
🕒 Faster Installation
Concrete footings take time. Between excavation, forming, pouring, and curing, you’re often looking at a 2–5 day process (or longer in cold weather). Ground screws, on the other hand, can be installed in a matter of hours—and framing can begin the same day.
🧊 No Waiting on Weather
In Utah’s unpredictable climate, pouring concrete in the winter or during rain spells can grind your schedule to a halt. Ground screws can be installed year-round, even in frozen soil.
🔨 Minimal Site Disturbance
Installing a concrete footing typically involves heavy digging, hauling out soil, and mixing/pouring equipment. Ground screws require far less disruption to the surrounding landscape. This is a huge win for tight spaces, protected terrain, and established landscaping.
🧱 Stronger in Difficult Soil
In rocky or shifting terrain—especially common in the Wasatch Front and mountain towns—ground screws often outperform concrete. They can be driven to greater depths for extra load bearing and can handle uneven settling far better than shallow footings.
When Should You Use Ground Screws?
While ground screws aren’t ideal for every situation (we’ll get to that), they shine in many common Utah build scenarios:
Decks on sloped or rocky terrain
Cabin decks or porches where concrete delivery is impossible
Pergolas and outdoor structures in hard-to-access areas
Fence and gate posts
Temporary or modular builds
Solar panel installations
Warrior Built frequently uses ground screws for projects in Park City, Alpine, Provo Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon, and other elevation-heavy areas where soil conditions make traditional footings a gamble.
The Engineering Behind It
Ground screws aren’t just fast—they’re engineered. Each screw is selected based on:
Soil type
Frost depth
Expected vertical and lateral loads
Torque resistance and embedment depth
We often install ground screws using hydraulic torque drivers mounted on compact machinery. During installation, we monitor torque resistance to ensure each screw is properly embedded and meets required load ratings. When needed, we pair the screw with engineered brackets or saddles that tie directly into the deck framing or structure.
It’s clean. It’s fast. And it’s certified.
Warrior Built’s Ground Screw Process
🔍 Step 1: Site Evaluation
We inspect the soil, slope, accessibility, and structural needs. If ground screws are a match, we’ll spec the correct type and layout.
🔧 Step 2: Screw Installation
Using precision torque drivers, we install each screw in under 10 minutes, often achieving greater depth and security than concrete.
🧱 Step 3: Bracket Mounting
We install connection hardware to tie the screw into your framing system—whether it’s for a deck, pergola, railing post, or structural beam.
🪵 Step 4: Framing
You don’t have to wait for curing. We get right to work framing your deck or structure—saving time, labor, and cost.
Watch a video of Ground Screw Installation:

Are Ground Screws More Expensive?
It depends. While the per-screw cost may be higher than a bag of concrete, when you factor in:
Reduced labor time
No machinery rental for digging/pouring
No wait time for curing
No site cleanup or landscaping repair
…Ground screws often end up being less expensive overall, especially in difficult terrain.
Are They Strong Enough?
Yes—and in many cases, they’re stronger than traditional methods. Ground screws have:
Load ratings tested up to 100,000+ lbs. (varies by type)
Resistance to frost heave and soil movement
Certified torque readings that prove their integrity
Excellent performance on lateral loads and uplift
When you work with Warrior Built, we ensure your ground screw system meets or exceeds code—and supports whatever structure you're building.
Perfect Pairing: Ground Screws + TimberTech Decking
Ground screws are especially effective when paired with composite decking like TimberTech, which:
Weighs less than pressure-treated wood
Performs well on elevated, slope-side builds
Doesn't require the same joist spacing as wood
Lasts for decades with little maintenance
For clients building on steep terrain or remote locations, the combo of TimberTech boards + Warrior Built ground screws equals a lifetime outdoor solution.
Case Example: Hillside Cabin Deck in Midway, UT
We recently completed a cabin deck rebuild where the existing concrete footings had cracked due to frost heave and poor soil compaction. Our solution?
Removed the old deck and poured footings
Installed 16 ground screws in one day
Reframed using treated lumber and steel hardware
Installed TimberTech AZEK decking and aluminum cable rail
The new deck was stronger, more stable, and installed in half the time—with no heavy digging or concrete delivery up the steep canyon road.

When NOT to Use Ground Screws
There are rare cases where concrete might still make sense:
Shallow frost zones where minimal depth is needed
Extremely dense or boulder-filled ground that resists penetration
Large commercial footings or multi-ton point loads
But for 90% of outdoor structures in Utah, ground screws are the faster, smarter way forward.
Why Warrior Built for Ground Screw Installations?
✅ We use licensed, torque-certified installers
✅ We match screws to your site’s soil and load needs
✅ We integrate screw installs directly into our deck builds
✅ We offer standalone install services for other contractors
Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, or landscape architect, we’re your go-to team for fast, code-compliant ground screw foundations across Utah.
Want to Learn More?
Let’s talk. Whether you're planning a deck, pergola, solar panel array, or just want to upgrade from old footings, Warrior Built has the experience and tools to get it done right.
Contact Us for a free site assessment.
Interested in doing this yourself - visit our preferred retailer Wasatch Deck and Rail Supply to buy the equipment and/or rent to the tools!