Cedarhomes’ Weblog

You’ve finally found it – a great view at a great price. The lot you have been searching for. But while you were looking at your new home site, did you look down? Soil conditions can force you to put a lot of money below the surface before you ever get started actually building your house. This is money that is often not recoverable when you sell your home.

So when you look down, what do you see? Rocks, sand, surface water? All of these affect the type and cost of your foundation. Blasting through rock for utility lines, septic, and the foundation can cost thousands of dollars. Then you have to add on what the excavator will charge for removing the excess material.

Expansive soil is soil that expands and contracts due to moisture. Steps must be taken to prevent the moisture in the soil from contacting the foundation so it will remain dry. You will encounter this problem in certain regions in the country.

Moisture is an element that can destroy your home. Starting below grade, measures must be taken to prevent moisture from absorbing into the materials that make up your home as well as having areas in which it collects and provides a breeding ground for mold and insects.

A soil test will provide information on the strength of the soil on which you are building. Many lending institutions require this. Percolation and deep-water tests are common if your building site dictates a septic system. It is tempting to skip some of these tests. But when you consider that the whole weight of you new home will be resting on this foundation, it is much wiser to make sure you avoid problems that may cost you considerable money, time, and frustration later.

Here are some great links on land and foundation issues you need to consider when building your new home:

Building Site, Foundations, Soil Testing