A Site Survey and a Feasibility Study are the two most critical “look before you leap” steps in any development project. While they are often performed together, they serve different purposes: the survey tells you what is there, while the feasibility study tells you if it’s worth it.
1. Site Survey: Gathering the “Hard Data”
A site survey is a physical and technical inspection of the property. It provides the raw data that architects and engineers need to design the project safely.
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Topographic Survey: Maps the “lay of the land,” including elevations, slopes, and natural features like trees or water.
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Boundary Survey: Defines the legal property lines and identifies any “encroachments” (e.g., a neighbor’s fence on your land).
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Utility Survey: Locates underground services like gas, water, electricity, and fiber optics.
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Geotechnical/Soil Report: Involves drilling into the ground to see if the soil can support the weight of the proposed building.
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Environmental Survey: Checks for protected wildlife, wetlands, or hazardous contamination (asbestos, lead, etc.).
2. Feasibility Study: The Decision-Making Tool
This is a comprehensive report that evaluates the project’s viability. It uses the data from the site survey and combines it with financial and legal analysis to answer: “Should we build this?”
Key Components:
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Technical Feasibility: Can it be built given the site’s constraints (e.g., steep slopes or poor soil)?
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Legal/Regulatory Feasibility: Does the project comply with local zoning laws, height restrictions, and building codes?
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Financial Feasibility: A cost-benefit analysis. Does the projected profit or utility outweigh the construction costs and interest?
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Operational Feasibility: Can the project be managed and maintained once it’s finished?
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Scheduling Feasibility: Is the timeline realistic? Are there seasonal risks or long-lead material issues?
3. Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | Site Survey | Feasibility Study |
| Primary Goal | Data collection and mapping. | Evaluation and decision-making. |
| Focus | Physical and environmental traits. | Financial, legal, and practical success. |
| Output | Maps, CAD files, soil reports. | A report with a “Go/No-Go” recommendation. |
| When? | Early stage (technical). | Pre-project (strategic). |
4. Why You Need Both
Skipping these steps is the #1 cause of “project creep” and budget overruns.
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Risk Mitigation: You find out about the $50,000 underground pipe or the “protected bird species” before you buy the land.
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Accurate Budgeting: You can’t get a real quote from a builder without knowing the site conditions.
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Stakeholder Buy-in: Banks and investors usually require a formal feasibility study before approving a loan.
Would you like me to create a specific checklist for a Site Survey or outline a template for a Feasibility Report?