Why does nobody talk about how much dirt moves under a slab?

I went to a builder's open house in Austin last month where they were pouring a foundation, and the foreman pointed out the soil report. He said they had to go 4 feet deeper than planned because the clay soil was unstable. That made me realize I never even asked my own contractor about soil testing for my build. Has anyone else run into unexpected foundation costs from bad ground conditions?

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henrycooper2mo ago

Can you pay extra for dirt that won't throw a tantrum later?

5

grayc272mo ago

Used to think foundation prep was just digging a hole and pouring concrete. Watched a neighbor's slab crack six months in and learned the hard way what a soil report actually means. Now I'm that guy who bugs contractors about compaction tests and moisture content before they even bring in a truck. Pays off when you see the house next door settling into the ground like a cheap lawn chair. Your mileage may vary but I sleep better knowing the dirt under my floor isn't going to shift.

3