Everyone has been feeling the effect of inflation these days, especially at grocery stores, gas stations, and rising interest rates in the housing market. In the world of civil engineering and construction, these additional costs can create stressful times for individuals. Inflation can strain project timelines and budgets and potentially lead to devasting losses.

Here are some inflation concerns in civil engineering that can impact the stages of land development:

• Rising material cost
• Supply shortages
• Labor expenses
• Budget constraints

Finding good engineers and surveyors is a key factor in managing inflation risks by allowing experienced professionals to forecast problems before they occur. At Howell, we take a proactive approach, constantly communicating with developers and builders to find ways of cutting costs throughout the duration of a project.

In a recent project, we determined there would be an excess of topsoil throughout the site due to the installation of impervious features like roads, driveways, houses, and sidewalks.   After a cut/fill analysis, we calculated that the site needed about 25,000 cubic yards of dirt removed. The average cost to remove construction debris is around $70 per cubic yard. This would significantly impact the overall cost of the developer's expenses. Given this information, the goal was to find a home for as much fill material as necessary, leaving only topsoil remaining.

This situation is where our team of experienced engineers prides itself on collaborating with one another. Strong communication skills and a well-thought-out approach to a project generate real-world solutions, ensuring projects remain on budget and on schedule despite rising construction costs. Excess topsoil was built into our earthwork calculations, resulting in exporting as much of the topsoil as necessary for minimal to no cost.

We spoke with the home builder to determine the maximum size footprint that can be built as well as a smaller footprint. From that conversation, we learned the smaller unit would most likely make up the majority of the community. The difference in basement volume was brought into our calculations which revealed that the topsoil was able to be a "fluff volume". This allowed for flexibility in balancing the site, even when different units were constructed. This minor collaboration, greatly reduced the amount of dirt removed from the site, saving our client a ton of money and providing a sense of relief.

Here at Howell, we foster an environment of problem-solving skills that allows us to quickly adjust our plans to meet the client's needs while maintaining project integrity.