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Land Surveys and Redevelopment: Unlocking the Full Potential of Houston Commercial Properties

Redevelopment Is Booming in Houston—But It Starts with a Survey

As available land becomes harder to find in prime areas of Houston, investors are increasingly turning to redevelopment opportunities—upgrading aging shopping centers, repurposing warehouses, or reimagining old office parks into mixed-use spaces.

But before demolition, design, or permitting can begin, one critical step must be completed: a commercial land survey.

At South Texas Surveying, we help real estate developers, architects, and engineers get a clear picture of their site’s limits and potential—so their projects can move forward without costly setbacks.

Why Redevelopment Projects Need a Survey—Even When a Building Already Exists

Just because a property already has a structure doesn’t mean it’s ready for redevelopment. In fact, existing improvements can hide:

• 🧱 Encroachments or setback violations

• 📏 Inaccurate boundary descriptions

• 🌊 Floodplain exposure or grading issues

• 🛣️ Outdated access points or right-of-way changes

• 📜 Title defects involving easements or shared utilities

📎 Redeveloping without a survey means planning blind—risking permits, financing, and the entire timeline.

What a Redevelopment-Ready Survey Includes

✅ Boundary Verification

• Confirms the true dimensions and corners of the parcel

• Identifies encroachments from neighboring properties

✅ Improvement Location

• Maps existing buildings, signage, fences, and parking areas

• Supports demolition plans and buildout strategies

✅ Topographic Data

• Shows site elevations, slopes, and drainage

• Essential for regrading, utility placement, and ADA compliance

✅ Easement and Access Mapping

• Reveals utility lines, alleyways, and shared driveways

• Identifies any legal use restrictions on portions of the site

✅ ALTA/NSPS Standards (for lenders/title companies)

• Includes title review and zoning info needed for redevelopment financing

How Surveys Help at Every Stage of Redevelopment

🏗️ Pre-Purchase

• Know whether the property can legally support your new vision

• Understand access, utility placement, and buildable square footage

🏛️ Permitting

• Required by city and county agencies before issuing demo and rebuild permits

• Confirms compliance with zoning, building lines, parking minimums, and floodplain rules

💸 Financing

• Required by lenders and title companies for project underwriting and coverage

• Identifies exceptions or title issues that could delay closing

🛠️ Construction

• Construction staking ensures accurate placement of new improvements

• Avoids setbacks from misaligned builds or overlooked features

Ideal Redevelopment Properties That Require Surveys

• 🔄 Former retail buildings, strip malls, or big-box stores

• 🏭 Old warehouses and light industrial spaces

• 🧱 Office buildings repurposed into mixed-use or residential

• 🚧 Parking lots converted into structures

• 🛠️ Commercial lots where demolition is followed by new development

📍 Especially in Houston’s Midtown, East End, Galleria, Sharpstown, and Energy Corridor, these projects require precision and local code compliance.

Why Choose South Texas Surveying for Redevelopment Surveys

We’ve helped hundreds of developers reimagine Houston’s commercial landscape. With 40+ years of experience, South Texas Surveying provides:

✔️ ALTA/NSPS, boundary, topographic, and improvement surveys
✔️ Coordination with engineers, architects, title companies, and permitting offices
✔️ Fast turnaround to keep redevelopment timelines moving
✔️ Local expertise across Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, Galveston, Liberty, Chambers, and Waller counties

📞 Starting a redevelopment project? Contact South Texas Surveying to map your site, mitigate your risk, and move forward with confidence.

You Can’t Rebuild Right Without a Survey

Redevelopment breathes new life into Houston’s commercial real estate—but only when it starts with accurate land data. A professional survey is the foundation that helps you demolish with purpose and build with clarity.

📍 Let South Texas Surveying help you unlock the true potential of your property—with surveys built for Houston’s future.