What ForceFlow said ^^^^ +++, although I may argue the *cheaper to build up* point.

My basement story from Ann Arbor MI:

About 30 years ago, when my house builder was digging the foundation for my house, we had a planned depth from existing grade of 10 feet. At 8 feet he hit a sand layer of about 3 feet thick. After a few moments of discussion, I told him to stop at 8 feet and we will deal with the required fill dirt later.

About 25 years ago, when my neighbor (about 400 ft. away) dug his foundation, his builder blew through the sand layer into a water soaked layer (without knowing it) and proceeded to poured the foundation.

I never have had any water in my basement. My sump pump runs maybe a few times a day only the spring. I have a full finished basement with 16 games in it.

My neighbor pumps out 5 gallons of water an hour, day and night, spring, summer, fall and winter, and goes through at least one sump pump a year.

Lesson: You got to pay attention to the details!

BTW: I have a radon evacuation system also.