Howdy, the wife and I are trying to build a house on some land east of Dallas and can't seem to get a straight answer from professionals on foundations for expansive soils. Some say don't get an engineered design, some say do. In talking to engineers for design, some say get soil tests, some say it's not necessary because they can look at the soil type. Obviously, I would like to go all out for testing and design, but we have to be very budget conscious.

Any one have opinions/experience on this? Recommendations on people to talk to?

S&W Foundation in Richardson

If it's just a house I probably wouldn't get soils tests done. Just excavate and remove the existing soil and bring in select fill.