[MS90]

It might not be 'that hard' to excavate limestone, but an additional 21,000 dollars added to the cost along with 14x longer work time is not an insignificant difference.

East Austin doesn't have them because of the unstable clay that expands and contracts with rains, same reason the track surface at COTA has had so many issues. The ground doesn't stay put.

Couple those things with the frost line issue you mentioned, along with the likelihood of flooding, and it probably comes down to the fact that it's just too much work to be worth it.

[onlyrealcuzzo]

The reason you don't have basements is because you don't have to worry about the Frontline.

If you did, land would be worth $21k less per lot - to make up for the cost to dig a basement.

[sangnoir]

> East Austin doesn't have them because of the unstable clay that expands and contracts with rains

Which is why most people water their foundations to ensure the soild maintains steady state of dampness- rain or shine.