What can new-home site studies tell you?

Read the survey with your designer

Ask your designer to show how the survey relates to the site plan. A survey does not answer every planning, utility or ground-condition question.

• Confirm the property and survey date.
• Identify features, levels and access relevant to the design.
• Refer boundary uncertainty to the appropriate professional.

Ask what each report covers

A report can contain conditions and recommendations that affect the work. Ask its author which findings apply to the current home design.

• Check the location and extent of investigation.
• Identify design recommendations that appear in the drawings.
• List any additional review or investigation still needed.

Turn unresolved findings into bid questions

Do not let competing contractors quietly assume different site conditions. Ask for a written explanation of what each bid includes and how unknown work will be handled.

• Identify excavation and disposal assumptions.
• Clarify retaining walls, drainage and access work.
• Ask who prices a change if the site differs from the assumed condition.

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