Ask DS: New home construction

[99beers]

Don't worry. Just cut every dang tree down that will overhang the roof line. Yep, all of them if you have any. then make sure you build the house pad up just high enough to slope water away in all directions. 1/8" per foot. then, hire constress to design your post tension slab.

You can build right on top of clay if you keep the perimeter water or lack of water the same around the house. Most screw up by not cutting trees down or improper slopes for drainage.

14 years with no foundation claims, so take it for what it is worth.

[mlj300]

Contact Norman Cornelius - he will provide a soil analysis for that area and assist.

+1 Norman dug my footings, he is really good. Bobby Scott did my soil analysis and drew my foundation design. Two very good people to check with.

[landscaper]

Talk with some of your neighbors. Your neighborhood is sitting on some of the most expansive soil in the area. You will very likely get a little movement either way you go. That being said, there really isn't a right or wrong choice. Both have their pros and cons. It just depends on which pros you put the most importance on.