How to Conduct Site Evaluation for Commercial Construction Projects

Site Evaluation: the commercial construction industry has seen a boom in the past recent years as urbanization is increasing with high demand in infrastructure. However, commercial projects are very extensive. It is very easy to get caught up in various other tasks like design, structure, architectural details, floor plans, finishing, etc. and forget about other factors that might affect the project completion.  

But before groundbreaking, you need to ensure that your choice of site is suitable for the project depending upon its scope and specifications. Proper site selection is critical for all construction projects, be it commercial or residential. If you get that wrong before construction, your entire project will be compromised, leading to issues like delays, safety hazards, etc.

Key Areas for Effective Site Evaluation for Commercial Construction

Your choice of site and land for the commercial project has a significant impact on the performance and delivery of the project. When conducting site evaluation for your commercial project, make sure to consider these following areas for effective results.

1). Property Size

The first thing that you need to consider during the pre-construction phase and site evaluation is the size of your property or building. You need to ensure that your structure will physically fit on the site with ease. However, it is not always this straightforward as you need to consult footprints of your buildings and architectural design when measuring property size.

With proper construction project management, you can ensure that the site where you want to build is more than enough for your structure and has room for improvement. For example, when considering property size, you also need to ask yourself how much space is needed for parking, freight vehicles, entry/exit points, and landscaping. Ensure that your site has enough room for building expansion in the future.

2). Public Utilities

Another major problem for commercial construction projects is to ensure the availability of public utilities like the sewage system, water, electricity, gas, etc. For example, if your site is in a rural area, chances are you will have to request the authorities for the installation of necessary utilities before groundbreaking. Or in case if you have access to utilities but it may need an upgrade for increased use.

So, important public utilities that you need to consider during site evaluation include access to water and sewage system, nearest electricity power substation to your building, gas pipelines, internet connection, etc. Accessibility to these utilities will determine the site’s practicality and performance of your commercial project.

3). Environmental Aspects

Environmental aspects of a site can have a wide range of effects on your project. For example, good site conditions that are suitable for your project will aide your work. However, bad conditions will lead to delays and cost overruns. You need to test the soil composition of your site and check whether it is soft or if there is a layer of bedrock that may require extra work and explosives during the groundbreaking.

During site evaluation, you also need to make sure it is not in a flood zone or has a steep terrain that can result in excessive water damage due to storms and torrential rains. Similarly, other areas that need your consideration are whether your site is located near a protected stream, lake, or a pond, or are there any contaminants that need to be removed before groundbreaking.

4). Road Access

Depending upon the size of your commercial project, accessibility from roadways can be a major factor in determining the profitability of your construction project. When selecting a site for your building, make sure your site is visible from a roadway or has easy access to main transportation routes. You need to consider the accessibility of your building from major highways, airports, railways, etc.

For this, you need to determine which local jurisdiction does your construction site comes under, and then you can understand your project’s potential transport access needs.

5). Zoning and Regulations

When it comes to property for commercial or industrial use, the government and local state authorities have specific zoning requirements and regulations. Thus, before groundbreaking, the contractor needs to ensure whether there are any zoning requirements regarding height limitations, green space, building materials, and aesthetics that may affect your project.

For example, your selected site has a regulation that limits or doesn’t allow certain commercial activities that will render your site useless as you cannot continue to work there. Similarly, some areas have noise ordinances that may interfere with your daily tasks and operations, causing delays and budget overruns. Each property has a set of zoning regulations, so make sure to check it out before starting construction work.

Deliver Successful Commercial Projects!

These are some of the critical areas that need to be considered before you break the ground for a practical site evaluation for commercial projects. Working with a professional and experienced construction project management expert can ensure that nothing important is overlooked. It also ensures that you have selected the right location for your commercial building. Proper planning and expert help will keep your project on deadline and budget by minimizing unexpected issues and setbacks before groundbreaking.

Site selection for your commercial building is crucial for the successful delivery of your project, so make sure to cover all these areas and select a good site.