Evaluating Sites Through a Construction Lens
Site characteristics significantly impact construction cost and schedule. Early evaluation prevents surprises.
Geotechnical Considerations
Soil conditions to evaluate: Bearing capacity for foundations, Expansive clay potential, Groundwater depth, and Fill requirements.
Cost impact examples:
| Condition | Impact |
|---|---|
| Good bearing soil | Baseline |
| Moderate expansion potential | +5-10% foundations |
| Poor bearing/deep piles | +15-30% foundations |
| High groundwater | +10-20% site work |
Due diligence recommendation: Phase I and preliminary geotech before site commitment
Utility Infrastructure
Key questions: Water: Available pressure and flow for fire protection?, Sewer: Gravity available or lift station required?, Power: Adequate capacity at property line?, Gas: Available and adequate pressure?, and Telecom: Fiber available?.
Cost impact examples:
| Issue | Potential Cost |
|---|---|
| Water main extension | $150-400/LF |
| Sewer lift station | $200,000-500,000 |
| Electrical service upgrade | $100,000-1,000,000 |
| On-site detention | $3-40/SF |
Site Access and Configuration
Access considerations: Adequate road frontage, Turn lane requirements, Signalization needs, and Secondary access requirements.
Configuration factors: Shape efficiency for building footprint, Truck circulation requirements, Expansion capability, and Buffer requirements.
Environmental and Regulatory
Due diligence items: Phase I Environmental, Wetland delineation, Endangered species survey, Floodplain determination, and Zoning verification.
Potential issues: Wetland mitigation: $50,000-500,000+, Floodplain mitigation: Varies significantly, and Environmental remediation: Highly variable.
Pro Forma Impact
Early construction cost input improves site selection:
1. Conceptual budget based on site characteristics
2. Schedule estimate including permitting timeline
3. Risk assessment for unknown conditions
4. Comparison matrix across candidate sites
We provide rapid conceptual budgets for site evaluation. Contact our preconstruction team.