The Most Overlooked Site Conditions in Commercial Construction (And How to Plan for Them)
Every commercial construction site has its own personality. Some are smooth and predictable, while others come with hidden landmines—literally and figuratively. While clients often focus on architectural drawings and finish selections, one of the biggest drivers of cost and delay is something far more basic: what’s under your feet and around your site.
At Texas Built Construction, we’ve seen it all—from underground tanks to unrecorded easements to unstable soils. Here’s a breakdown of the most overlooked site conditions that can impact your timeline and budget, and how to plan for them before breaking ground.
1. Unstable or Expansive Soils
Soils vary dramatically across North Texas. Some areas have soft, loamy soil that requires deep piers for stabilization. Others have clay-heavy soils that expand and contract with moisture, putting stress on foundations.
We always recommend a geotechnical investigation before construction begins. This includes drilling borings and analyzing soil composition, water table depth, and bearing capacity. Skipping this step can result in:
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Foundation cracking
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Structural movement
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Moisture infiltration
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Future lawsuits
Planning upfront helps us engineer the right foundation—whether it’s a slab-on-grade, drilled piers, or post-tensioned system.
2. Old Utilities and Abandoned Infrastructure
Many commercial sites—especially infill or redevelopment projects—have old utility lines buried beneath them. These may include:
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Abandoned water, gas, or sewer lines
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Electrical conduit that’s no longer in use
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Septic tanks or grease traps from former tenants
If they’re not properly located and removed, they can interfere with new construction. Worse, hitting an old utility line during excavation can cause delays or safety hazards.
We use ground-penetrating radar (GPR), utility locators, and historical surveys to map what’s underground before digging begins.
3. Easements and Encroachments
You may think you “own” your entire site—but utility easements, drainage swales, and property line encroachments can eat into your buildable area.
These often get overlooked until the city reviews your civil plans or survey. Suddenly, you may find you can’t build on a certain part of your lot or you’re encroaching on a neighbor’s property.
We review title reports, easement agreements, and ALTA surveys early in pre-construction so these surprises don’t catch you off guard.
4. Drainage and Floodplain Zones
Water management is critical in commercial construction. Poor drainage can lead to:
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Site erosion
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Foundation heaving
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Parking lot flooding
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Water damage to interiors
We look at your site’s existing drainage plan, city requirements, and nearby topography. If you’re in or near a floodplain, we may need to elevate your slab, install detention ponds, or re-route stormwater systems to comply with code.
Ignoring drainage will cost you more than fixing it up front.
5. Environmental Remediation
Environmental issues can delay permits and require costly cleanup. This includes:
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Contaminated soil from former industrial use
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Underground fuel tanks
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Mold or asbestos in existing buildings
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Wildlife or habitat restrictions
We work with environmental consultants to assess risk early—especially if your site has a prior industrial, auto, or restaurant history. Knowing the risks allows you to budget for mitigation and plan accordingly.
6. Site Access and Traffic Impact
Construction requires equipment, deliveries, staging, and workforce access. If your site is in a high-traffic area, surrounded by existing businesses, or on a tight lot, we plan a full logistics strategy:
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When and where trucks can enter
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Where materials can be stored
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How to avoid disrupting neighbors or traffic flow
Cities often require traffic control plans or limits on delivery times. We handle this permitting process and coordinate all access points in advance.
Email us today @ projects@txbuiltconstruction.com or call us @ (972) 219-0729.