"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

Site Selection Starts with a Survey: The Key to Smarter Commercial Development in Texas

Choosing the Right Site is Half the Battle

Before the design, before the permits, before the big announcements—every successful commercial development begins with one question: Is this land actually buildable?

From downtown Houston to the outskirts of Conroe, savvy investors and developers rely on land surveys to answer that question early and accurately. At South Texas Surveying, we help eliminate guesswork by providing detailed insights into property boundaries, terrain, easements, access, and flood risk—before money is on the table.

Why Surveys Are Critical for Site Selection

📍 1. Confirm Usable Space

A parcel may look like 3 acres on paper, but easements, setbacks, and terrain could limit buildable space to half that. A boundary or ALTA survey will show what you can actually use.

⛰️ 2. Evaluate Terrain & Drainage

Flat land isn’t always flat. Our topographic surveys help engineers plan for grading, drainage, and stormwater—essential for construction costs and feasibility.

🛣️ 3. Check Access Points

In commercial site selection, ingress and egress make or break a deal. A survey confirms legal access, right-of-way widths, and any shared driveways or easements.

🧾 4. Support Due Diligence

Whether you’re working with a city planner, lender, or investor, a professional survey backs up your site decision with hard data—not assumptions.

The Most Common Clients Who Benefit from Site Surveys

• Retail developers scouting new pad sites

• Restaurant and hospitality groups expanding to new markets

• Industrial and warehouse site selectors

• Medical and office developers working in growth corridors

• Multifamily investors analyzing buildable density

If you're eyeing land in Katy, Pearland, Baytown, Cypress, or the Houston Energy Corridor, don’t go by the listing—go by the survey.

Survey Types That Inform Smart Site Selection

• Boundary Surveys – define true legal limits

• ALTA/NSPS Surveys – used for acquisitions, title, and lender approvals

• Topographic Surveys – identify elevation, grade, and drainage factors

• Platting & Subdivision Assistance – evaluate potential lot configurations

Case Study: Saving a Developer from a Costly Mistake in Baytown

A developer approached us about a 6-acre commercial lot near Baytown. The price was right, but our topographic and boundary survey revealed two major utility easements and a drainage swale through the center—cutting usable land by 40%. Armed with facts, they negotiated a better price and altered their site plan before finalizing the deal.

Why South Texas Surveying?

• 🔍 We work fast, so you don’t lose momentum

• 🧠 We know Texas codes, terrain, and city nuances

• 🤝 We partner with engineers, brokers, and developers

• 📄 Our surveys stand up to lender, title, and city scrutiny

A commercial property might look like a dream on the MLS—but only a survey will show you what’s actually possible. At South Texas Surveying, we equip developers with the tools to make smarter, faster, and safer site decisions across Houston and beyond.