As any commercial real estate developer has learned, it’s the unforeseen problems that have the most potential to turn a project into a money pit. When it comes to your land and its supporting infrastructure, the team at BHB is well equipped to help evaluate the site before and during the acquisition process to help you make informed decisions regarding your land purchase. The first 30 days of your real estate contract are crucial; having us on-board from day one will not only help you maximize the value of the land and minimize costs but can save you from headaches down the road.
Our team will use their technical knowledge to evaluate both the land itself and the infrastructure surrounding it. In addition, we review city development standards in order to create a development plan for the project. When working with a local civil engineer, you have the benefit of a team member who is familiar with the local standards and code. Throughout the rest of the project, we will also act as liaisons with city staff.
By looking at adjacent roads and highways, we can gauge the accessibility of the site and draw on our knowledge of TxDOT standards to determine if new driveways, stop signs, or traffic lights will be needed. With water and waste water demands in mind, we will also determine the necessity of off-site utility extensions or upgrades, and assist with obtaining “will serve” letters from franchise utility companies. When needed, our in-house mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers are available to assist.
During this phase of work, we will also engage our land surveyors to perform boundary, topographic, title, and tree surveys. Following our assessments, we proceed to create preliminary layout drawings, taking into account grading, drainage, and utilities. This preliminary work is key to providing a basis for construction cost estimates and showing the project’s ability to comply with development criteria – two considerations that can make or break a project without proper planning.
BHB is also prepared to engage in early conversations with developers and consultants to advise on strategies that could maximize their return on investment. Drawing from decades of experience, our civil engineers will look at surrounding businesses, neighborhoods, and other factors to help determine the compatibility of the developer’s proposed business.
It is important for any developer – no matter how experienced – to have a civil engineer involved with their project from day one. In a situation where time is money, we want to help you maximize your time during the first 30 days of your contract and learn everything you can about the property before you buy. In the rest of this four-part series, we will discuss the role of our civil engineers during the remaining stages of the land acquisition and development process: the hard money option period, closing, and construction.
If you’re ready to consult with a civil engineer on your upcoming development, please reach out to us at mail@bhbinc.com.