Gather the site records
Ask your design team which site information supports the current drawings. A missing or old report is a question to resolve, not an invitation to guess.
- Identify the property survey and any boundary or access questions.
- Locate soils, grading, drainage and structural design information.
- Ask whether reports still apply to this design and property.
Connect conditions to construction scope
Site costs can be difficult to compare when each bidder makes a different assumption. Give bidders the same reports and ask them to identify unresolved work.
- Discuss excavation, soil export, retaining walls and drainage.
- Confirm how equipment and deliveries will reach the work.
- Identify utility connections, service upgrades and off-site work.
Know who can answer each question
Your architect can help coordinate the relevant consultants. Ask the professional responsible for a report to explain its limits and any further investigation needed.
- Use the surveyor for survey and boundary information.
- Ask the geotechnical and civil engineers about their respective reports and designs.
- Put unresolved site assumptions into written bid questions.
What to check next
- Gather the current survey and reports.
- Identify missing site information.
- Record access and utility assumptions.
- Give every bidder the same site documents.
Choose your next step
Find contractors with relevant new-home experience, or talk with us about where your project stands.
Official resources
Check with the agency responsible for your property. City and County resources below apply within their respective jurisdictions.
- City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety — Plan Review & Permitting
- City of San Diego Development Services — Permits and Approvals
Content updated .