The Process of Land Development

01310588191_03toyotatacoma229.jpgHave you ever considered what it takes for raw land to turn into the massive land developments we see all around us?  Very few things in the world take as much consideration as how to create a land development.  It takes land developers many months to look into past, present and future information to ensure that they have created a sound plan for the environment to develop the land for the purposes the developer needs it to accommodate. 
Research is done for land development because each separate project has its own issues and special circumstances that make it unique.  Surveyors and Civil Engineers work closely together to look into every possible potential issue to make sure they have a plan for anything that can happen with a land development project.  Things such as drainage, ground stability and the other structures surrounding the project are all some of the things that need to be taken into consideration before the shovel breaks ground.

Related Coverage

Land Development In India

Developing land in India is a Herculean task. Despite spending substantial time researching locations and properties before deciding to take on projects, developers still face the challenge of obtaini… The Business Development Process

Most entrepreneurs who are planning a new venture first look to the business plan as the initial step. While the business plan is critical for the success of the new venture, it is not the first step in the process. We must first look at the business development process itself. Web Applications Development Process

Web Development Applications are constructed on 3 levels. These are user services, business services, and data services. In the first phase, a visual access is created to enable client to interact and know about the application. The application can here range from anything basic like HTML to java applets. Green Development Delhi A Design Process

Green development Delhi is a design process that grows out of a connection with the natural landscape. It is a set of informed decisions that considers the site and materials to reduce the cost, maint…
There are steps that land developers must take on their journey into developing a piece of raw land.  First, they must spend an ornate amount of time looking into all of the factors that affect a project.  They track economic trends to see if investing time and money in to a land development project is profitable.  They also look into things like population growth and job growth to determine the growth of an area.  This step usually involves many different professionals.  Government officials, business members, real estate professionals and builders will meet with a land developer to create a due diligence report.  This eliminates all the guess work involved and puts the facts in place to determine the worthiness of a proposed project.

Once developers have found land, determined that an area’s growth rate is worthy of the proposed project developers will go about negotiating for the acquisition of the raw land.  There are two common ways most developers go about this process they are; purchasing the land upfront with cash or negotiating an option to purchase the land by a set date and price by putting a large deposit down.  The second option is considered more favorable because it leaves developers funds available for the project at hand.  It is unwise to tie up working capital when working on land development projects. 
Next land developers draw up architectural plans for approval by local government officials.  Whether land is being developed for a sub division, a professional complex, an industrial park or a shopping plaza plans need to be approved by officials and if funding is be acquired by outside investors should also be involved in approving the proposed draft.  This step all involves accessing permits by all stages of government that are needed for the developer’s project to continue smoothly. 
Lastly the land will be converted from raw, natural land into what land that has been processed into a state that makes it useful and valuable to the land developer and all participants involved in the process.  Builders come in purchase the land and begin turning it into a piece of property that fulfills the need of the surrounding community.
Land development takes a piece of Earth that most people look at as a vacant wasteland without purpose and turns the natural, raw, land into a plot of riches.  Developers take on the huge risks involved in land development because of the large reward financially in the end. 

The Risky Process of Land Development

21310588194_03toyotatacoma236-1.jpgWhat is land development?  Have you ever considered how the forest next to your favorite city park turned into homes and businesses?  That is what happens during the process of land development.  An investor seeks out a piece of land to purchase; they establish the land for a foreseen project such as a mall or subdivision and develop the property to be suitable.  Then the hunt for buyers begins.  The process of land development is risky however that risk is rewarded heavily when a purchaser is found. 
The process of land development is often complex and time consuming.  Often individuals seeking out to develop a piece of property will hire a company that specializes in land development to move the project along at a steady pace.
The first step involves in the land development process is hiring a respected civil engineer.  The area will need to have a survey completed and be staked out for development.  Boundaries will be set in place and a map will be laid out to show how everything, including existing structures are on the property.  Zoning laws and city planning officials will be brought in and reviewed to ensure everyone is on the same page with the project.
The next phase includes city approval.  In order to approve your project soil tests and tentative land plans need to be submitted.  Any changes required will need to be done and then resubmitted for final approval.

Related Coverage

The Process of Land Development

Have you ever considered what it takes for raw land to turn into the massive land developments we see all around us? Very few things in the world take as much consideration as how to create a land development. Land Development In India

Developing land in India is a Herculean task. Despite spending substantial time researching locations and properties before deciding to take on projects, developers still face the challenge of obtaini… Development Land In The Uk

As the 2012 Olympics approach, it is critical to undertake any land investments now, before the price of land skyrockets. While it is important to understand that some areas will not see quantum growt… The Business Development Process

Most entrepreneurs who are planning a new venture first look to the business plan as the initial step. While the business plan is critical for the success of the new venture, it is not the first step in the process. We must first look at the business development process itself.It is important to look into and special regulations your area may specify for land development.  This might include issues with watershed, sewage and local utilities.  Remember all areas have their own specifications that need to be abided by.  Don’t assume anything.  Assumptions lead to costly mistakes. 
After all plans have been given final approval by all parties involved the substantial changes can begin.  Most projects start with installing drainage, roads, gas and electric.  It is important to have someone available to check in on the progress of the project so that any glitches can be caught immediately.
As land starts to be shifted around, trees removed, concrete laid the tangible aspect of the land development project is in full bloom. 
This is the point in which many land developers start to seek out potential investors.  This could be parties interested in becoming land lords for a business development or contractors interested in building a subdivision.  It is possible that several bids for the property will be taken into consideration before one is decided upon.
Land development has many steps, involving many different professional services.  You can see why it can be potentially risky on more than one level.  One hiccup in the process can lose a land developer thousands of dollars.  Those are the same risks that make the reward level as high as it is. 

Tips for hiring professional land surveyors

11310588190_dscf0067-1.jpgWhen it comes to hiring a land surveyor, price alone should not be the deciding factor. A land surveyor or a land surveying company is there to map and measure your land. Land surveying is an exact science. Here are some valuable tips that should help you engage the right land surveyor: Hiring Licenced to perform land surveyor : Make sure the land surveyor is licensed by the appropriate authorities to render professional land surveying services. Hiring an unlicensed surveyor is illegal and his survey report will also not be recognized as valid. It may even be worthwhile to crosscheck with the licensing board to reconfirm whether the land surveyor you propose engaging is indeed licensed. Surveyors should have Professional Liability Insurance : Secondly the surveyor should also possess Professional Liability Insurance. This is necessary to protect yourself if the land surveyor errs and his report is faulty. Please bear in mind that even a very competent surveyor is fallible and prone to committing mistakes. surveyor should possess workers compensation insurance : The surveyor should possess workers compensation insurance as somebody has to pay for the expenses if the surveyor or his employees, get injured while surveying the land? Of course, in some states workers compensation insurance is optional. Does this serveyor have experience in performing the services? : Exercise caution while choosing the right type of surveyor as most surveyors specialize in certain select areas like construction layout, topographic surveys, mapping, geodetic, land development and boundary surveys. Also make it a point to verify how long the surveyor has been working as a professional land surveyor as an experienced surveyor may be more knowledgeable and perform a perfect job. Technological changes in surveyors profession : Discreetly enquire whether the surveyor keeps abreast of technological changes in his profession and is update with any modifications in the statutory requirements. Also ascertain if he is aware of the latest developments like Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), Robotic Survey Systems, and Laser Scanning that aid greater accuracy in land survey. Does this surveyor have a professional demeanor? : It is good to engage a land surveyor who is professional in his approach. He should be business-like and promptly return your calls, promptly answer your emails and should even to explain to you how a survey is conducted. Remind to ask for written contract : Insist on having a written contract clearly laying out what services he will render and the payment terms. The common practice is for a professional land surveyor to receive part of the total fee when signing the written contract and to send the bill for the balance amount when the work is completed. Important that surveyor marks the property corners : It is critically important that the surveyor marks the property corners with permanent markers that will remain indelible over the years. The basic purpose of hiring a professional land surveyor is to determine the extents, or outline, of your property. The appropriate permanent markers include Plastic Stakes, Iron Rods, Iron Pipes, Rebar, Railroad Spikes, Magnetic Nails and other nails in paved areas. • Make sure the professional land surveyor is willing to walk your property along with you to identify the actual monuments and markers that mark your property corners. Please know your land is your prized possession and you need to hire the best professional land surveyor even if it means paying marginally more and you develop cordial relationship with this professional throughout. Keep in mind that you need the services of a land surveyor when you buy a property or wanting refinancing of your home or seeking a mortgage as a requirement of the bank. Even when you are unsure if you can build a fence or plant a tree, you need a surveyor to reassure you are building on your property.