Tips for Smooth Site Evaluation

Stressed about site evaluation? Begin your journey with these easy tips

Location is important in more than just real estate. Site evaluation and determining where a project will go is a crucial early step to setting up a successful timeline. Terracon’s innovative tools and diverse services provide clients across the country with the timely, accurate data needed to make informed decisions. If you’re curious about the essentials, here are five tips to help aid a successful site evaluation.

Start with desktop review

Desktop reviews are more than convenient. Terracon’s Pivvot software aggregates and refreshes hundreds of data sets (over 500 private, state, and federal datasets) in an interactive visual format to quickly understand potential challenges on both parcel and linear project sites. They also put decades of data at your fingertips, helping you to make confident, informed decisions. Our Stage1 service combines predictive data with analysis from local engineers and scientists into an easy-to-read report of expected geotechnical and environmental conditions to guide your decision making.

Environmental permitting can’t wait

Environmental permitting – for streams, wetlands, endangered species, and other potential constraints – takes multiple months, even in best-case scenarios. Some surveys can only be conducted in specific months and weather conditions, and the results could lead to possible redesigns or mitigation costs. Engaging a consultant as early as possible will help you know what permitting challenges need to be addressed, build accurate timelines and budget expectations, and avoid unexpected delays.

Specialized services can bring your site into focus

Karst, wetlands, threatened and endangered species habitat, unusual soil conditions; every project site comes with challenges. If your project location is set and the next step is breaking ground as efficiently as possible, Desktop studies help categorize anticipated site conditions. When other challenges arise, Terracon has a deep bench of experts with a variety of specialties.

“Fail fast” – Data helps eliminate weak sites early to save time and money

Remember multiple choice tests? The best way to navigate them was to disregard outliers and only focus on the primary options. The same is true when considering multiple project sites. Using quality data to quickly identify and eliminate – i.e, ‘failing fast’ – sites with constraints that don’t fit your needs will allow you to spend your time and resources on sites that best fit your project goals.

Think local – leverage local expertise to avoid roadblocks

The best way to avoid the unexpected challenges that obliterate timelines, budgets, and expectations is to steer clear of them altogether. Local knowledge is also valuable in site evaluation. Terracon’s professionals are located in more than 200 offices across the country. Their familiarity with local officials’ priorities and preferences can help anticipate and prepare for challenges that might otherwise stall timelines. We maintain open communication and solid working relationships to put our clients in the best position to succeed.

Terracon’s data and technology are at the heart of how we help clients find the right project site. With clarity sharpened through more than 60 years, we will help you find the right location to set up your project for success.

Ready to take the next step? Visit our Select Site page to get started and learn more!