"Texas, often referred to as the Lone Star State, is a thriving hub for economic growth and innovation, making it an attractive destination for commercial real estate investment." - Chris Evans

How Land Surveys Influence Smart Site Selection for Commercial Projects in Texas

Choosing the Right Site Starts with the Right Survey

In commercial real estate, success begins before the first offer is made. Whether you’re building a warehouse near Conroe, a shopping center outside Katy, or a mixed-use complex in Richmond, site selection is everything.

But site selection isn’t just about location. It’s about land conditions, legal access, flood risk, easements, and zoning compatibility—and that’s where a professional land survey comes in.

At South Texas Surveying, we help developers make smarter, faster, and safer land decisions across the Houston region and surrounding counties.

Why Surveys Are Essential During Site Selection

A parcel might look ideal at first glance—flat, visible, and near infrastructure—but hidden issues can turn a good deal into a costly mistake. A land survey gives you critical data to:

• 📏 Confirm property boundaries and legal access

• 🌊 Identify flood zones or elevation issues

• 🛣️ Map easements that affect buildable area

• 🧾 Verify current zoning and potential land use

• 🧱 Evaluate slope, drainage, and developable space

📎 Developers who skip surveying during site selection often face redesigns, delays, or even lawsuits down the line.

Survey Types That Guide Smart Site Selection

Survey TypeWhy It Matters EarlyBoundary SurveyConfirms the physical size of the lot and whether setbacks are feasibleTopographic SurveyShows natural terrain, drainage, slope, and fill requirementsALTA/NSPS SurveyHelps lenders and investors evaluate risk and title statusZoning & Utility ReviewOften layered into ALTA to show what’s allowed—and where utilities sit

Common Site Selection Issues a Survey Can Prevent

• ❌ Buying land that has no legal access or a disputed easement

• ❌ Overpaying for land that’s mostly unbuildable due to drainage

• ❌ Discovering the property is in a FEMA flood zone after closing

• ❌ Facing setbacks or usage restrictions due to undisclosed utility easements

• ❌ Assuming zoning allows a use it actually prohibits

📍 A survey exposes these red flags—before money changes hands.

How Developers Use Surveys to Compare Multiple Sites

Smart developers don’t just pick one parcel—they compare several options. Surveys help you assess:

• 📐 Buildable square footage across different properties

• 🚧 Infrastructure placement like driveways, drainage, or retention ponds

• 🌍 Grading and fill needs, which affect construction budgets

• 🗂️ Permit and zoning timelines, based on site constraints

• 🛑 Red flag risks like overlapping lots, encroachments, or deed errors

📎 This makes it easier to select a site that not only fits the vision—but fits the budget and timeline, too.

Ideal Areas for Site Selection Around Houston

• Katy, Richmond & Rosenberg – Growth corridors with mixed zoning and utility expansion

• Montgomery & Conroe – Strong demand but many floodplain concerns and platting issues

• Brazoria & Alvin – Ideal for industrial sites, but often require drainage-intensive design

• The Woodlands & Magnolia – Suburban infill projects require detailed topographic mapping

• Waller County & Brookshire – Excellent I-10 access, but check for shared access or rural utility limits

Why Developers Trust South Texas Surveying

With over 40 years of experience, South Texas Surveying helps CRE developers, brokers, and investors make profitable site decisions across Houston and surrounding counties. We provide:

✔️ Site selection surveys tailored to your type of project
✔️ Fast boundary, ALTA, and topo packages to keep deals moving
✔️ Support for multi-site comparison, including flood, easement, and zoning overlays
✔️ Service across Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Liberty, Galveston, Chambers, and Waller counties

📞 Looking for the right land to build your next commercial project? Let South Texas Surveying help you pick the best site the first time.

Site Selection Is a Strategy—And Surveys Make It Smarter

The land you choose shapes everything else. With the right survey in hand, you don’t just buy property—you buy clarity, opportunity, and confidence.

📍 Partner with South Texas Surveying and start every project on solid, surveyed ground.