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Why No Basements in Dallas or the North Texas Area?
Relocating home buyers ask "why are there no basements in Dallas or any part of North Texas?" The simple answer is the North Texas clay soil moves too much, making a basement cost prohibitive. It's structurally safer and much less expensive for a home builder to build a second story than to build a basement.

 
The clay really shrinks when dry and expands when wet. It's not uncommon to see cracks you can stick your whole hand in. This expanding / contracting / moving soil exerts tremendous pressure on buried structures like the floor and walls of a basement.
Is it Possible to build a Basement? Is it possible to build a basement? Sure. Just not wise. Do you want to buy a home with a risky foundation? Do you have the desire or money to repair a major basement foundation issue?
What's the Cost to Build a Basement? Some Dallas luxury homes do have basements. It's hard to know how much they cost since these are not your "ordinary basements". I have asked custom builders and the answer is "it's cost prohibitive".
Basement Foundation Warranty? Perhaps home builders don't build basements because of foundation warranty costs. New home ... more

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