From Idea to Construction: The Steps You Shouldn’t Skip
At AWM Engineering, we work with property owners, developers, builders, contractors, architects, and other professionals to help move projects from the initial idea through design, permitting, and construction.
While every property and project is different, there are several important steps that should be considered before construction begins.
1. Start With Due Diligence
Before investing heavily in a property or beginning design, it's important to understand what you're working with.
A proper property due diligence and feasibility study can help identify potential issues with a site before they become expensive problems. Depending on the project, this may include reviewing available property information, existing conditions, drainage, utilities, access, environmental considerations, development restrictions, and other site-specific factors.
For developers purchasing land in Houston or elsewhere in Texas, understanding the property before moving forward can help determine whether the proposed project is practical for the site.
At AWM Engineering, our team can assist with due diligence and feasibility studies to help clients better understand their property and potential development opportunities.
2. Understand Your Site and Soil Conditions
Every construction project starts with the ground beneath it.
Geotechnical engineering and soil testing can provide important information about subsurface conditions and help engineers make informed recommendations for foundations, pavements, site improvements, and other construction elements.
This is particularly important in the Houston area, where soil conditions can vary significantly from one property to another.
A geotechnical investigation may include field borings, soil sampling, laboratory testing, and engineering analysis. The information gathered can then be incorporated into the project's design and construction planning.
AWM Engineering provides geotechnical engineering, soil testing, and geotechnical investigations for residential, commercial, and development projects throughout Houston and Texas.
3. Consider Civil Engineering and Site Development Early
Civil engineering is an important part of turning a piece of property into a functional development.
Depending on the project, civil engineering may involve:
Site grading and drainage
Stormwater management
Water and wastewater utilities
Paving and parking
Driveways and access
Site layouts
Subdivision and land development
Drainage studies and design
Infrastructure improvements
Getting these considerations addressed early can help identify potential site constraints before architectural and construction plans are too far along.
For projects in Houston, development requirements can include site plan review, subdivision regulations, access requirements, parking, landscaping, and other local requirements.
Outside Houston, requirements can vary by city, county, municipality, and other governing agencies. That's why understanding the jurisdiction and its requirements early is so important.
4. Don't Overlook Permitting and Approvals
One of the most common challenges in development is navigating the permitting and approval process.
A project may involve multiple agencies depending on its location, size, and scope. Houston projects can involve City of Houston departments, Harris County, regional authorities, or other agencies, while projects elsewhere in Texas may have completely different requirements.
Permitting requirements can involve:
Site development
Drainage
Stormwater
Driveway and access
Platting
Utilities
Environmental requirements
County or municipal approvals
TxDOT requirements
Construction permits
For example, the City of Houston reviews development site plans for requirements involving items such as lot size, setbacks, parking, landscaping, and access.
Texas projects may also involve state-level requirements. Depending on the project, environmental and stormwater permitting requirements can come into play as well. TCEQ, for example, has specific requirements for certain construction activities and common plans of development.
Working through these requirements early can help reduce surprises later in the project.
5. Coordinate Design With the Rest of the Project Team
A successful construction project involves more than one professional.
Architects, engineers, developers, builders, contractors, surveyors, testing companies, and permitting agencies may all play a role. Keeping these pieces coordinated can help prevent conflicts and delays.
At AWM Engineering, we work alongside architects, designers, contractors, developers, builders, and property owners to provide engineering and project support based on the needs of each project.
Our goal isn't simply to provide a report or drawing and walk away. We want to understand the project and help our clients navigate the process from the early stages through construction.
6. Plan for Construction Testing
Engineering and design don't end when construction begins.
Construction materials testing and inspection can help verify that materials and construction activities meet project requirements.
Depending on the project, testing may include:
Concrete testing
Soil testing
Compaction testing
Density testing
Aggregate testing
Field inspections
Construction quality control
Planning for testing early allows the project team to understand what testing may be required and when it will need to occur.
AWM Engineering provides materials testing and construction testing services to support projects throughout the construction process.
7. Think About the Entire Project — Not Just the Building
One of the biggest mistakes in development is focusing only on the structure.
A successful project also depends on what surrounds the building.
How will water drain from the site?
Where will vehicles enter and exit?
Are utilities available?
What are the soil conditions?
Will the property require additional permitting?
Are there environmental concerns?
Will the proposed improvements work with the existing site?
These questions can be especially important for land development, commercial development, residential development, subdivisions, retail projects, industrial projects, and custom homes.
Looking at the property as a whole allows the project team to identify potential challenges earlier.
Building in Houston or Anywhere in Texas? Start With the Right Team.
Whether you're developing property in Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, The Woodlands, Spring, Cypress, Richmond, Bryan, or another Texas community, every project has its own requirements and challenges.
At AWM Engineering, we provide a range of services designed to support projects from the early planning stages through construction, including:
Civil Engineering • Geotechnical Engineering • Environmental Services • Design • Due Diligence & Feasibility Studies • Planning & Permitting • Material Testing
Our team works with property owners, developers, architects, builders, general contractors, and other project professionals to help turn plans into successful projects.
If you're considering a new construction or development project in Houston or anywhere in Texas, reach out to AWM Engineering early in the process. We'd be happy to discuss your project and help determine what services may be needed to move it forward.
Have a project in mind? Let's talk.