The Short Answer
To begin site design, a civil engineer needs three core inputs: a boundary and topographic survey of the property, a geotechnical report describing the soils, and a defined project program that explains what you intend to build. With those in hand, a licensed engineer can lay out grading, drainage, utilities, and access. When any of the three is missing, we help you obtain it before design begins so the work rests on accurate, verified information.
The Three Essential Inputs
A Survey of the Property
A boundary and topographic survey establishes property lines, easements, existing elevations, existing structures, utilities, and site features. Civil design is built directly on this survey — grading, drainage, and layout all reference the surveyed elevations. A survey performed by a licensed land surveyor is the foundation of accurate site design, and outdated or incomplete surveys are a common cause of downstream conflicts.
A Geotechnical Report
A geotechnical report documents subsurface conditions: soil types, bearing capacity, groundwater, expansive or compressible soils, and infiltration rates. These findings drive pavement sections, foundation recommendations, retaining wall design, and whether stormwater can infiltrate into the ground. Designing a site without geotechnical data means guessing at conditions that directly affect safety and cost.
A Defined Project Program
The program is what you're trying to accomplish: building size and use, parking count, truck access needs, phasing, and any tenant or operational requirements. A clear program lets us balance competing demands — parking versus landscaping, grading versus drainage, access versus setbacks — and produce a layout that works.
Helpful But Not Always Required
- Zoning and entitlement documents — approvals or conditions that constrain the design.
- Architectural site plan or building footprint — even a preliminary version helps us coordinate.
- Utility records — will-serve letters or as-built utility maps from local providers.
- Prior reports or studies — traffic, environmental, or drainage work already completed.
What Happens Without These Inputs
Starting design on incomplete information leads to rework. If the survey is wrong, grading may not tie into adjacent properties. Without geotechnical data, pavement or infiltration assumptions may fail. Without a defined program, layouts get redrawn as requirements change. We would rather help you assemble the right inputs first than deliver a design that has to be redone.
When It Applies
These inputs apply to nearly every commercial site design project: new buildings, additions, parking expansions, redevelopment, and change-of-use projects that trigger site improvements. Smaller scopes may need less, but a survey and program are almost always the minimum. If you are unsure what your project needs, send us the address and a short description and we will tell you which inputs are required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you start with just a survey?
We can begin preliminary layout with a survey and program, but grading, drainage, and pavement design generally require geotechnical data before they can be finalized. We will flag what is still needed as we proceed.
Do you provide the survey and geotechnical report?
Those are performed by a licensed land surveyor and a geotechnical firm, respectively. We coordinate with those consultants and can help you scope the work, but the specialized disciplines produce and stamp their own reports.
What if my survey is old?
Site conditions change — new utilities, grading, and structures. If a survey is outdated, we will recommend an update so the design reflects current conditions.