Why it's Important to You:
Depending on the home you select, foundations may be available as slab, crawlspace, or full basement.
Different types of foundations may be optimal depending on the plan you choose, your region, your budget, and your personal preference.
Slab foundations are concrete slabs, between 6 and 8 inches thick, upon which the houses are built. They are the least expensive type of foundation and are common in areas where high clay content causes problems with settling or where there is inadequate subsurface drainage.
Crawlspace foundations, common in moist climates, the house is built on stem walls approximately two feet high, creating a crawlspace under the house.
Full basements create more space in a home-whether finished, for living space, or unfinished, for storage space -- and offer flexibility in design on sloped lots. They require more labor and are consequently more expensive and time-consuming to build than slab or crawlspace foundations.