Understand what's possible before committing to what's next.
Every development begins with a decision. What can be built? What will it cost? Which option makes the most sense? We connect regulatory research, architectural analysis, and preliminary development economics to help answer those questions.
What the study helps you decide
The applicable rules vary by address, jurisdiction, and proposed use. An initial review may investigate:
- Planning jurisdiction and zoning district; permitted and conditional uses
- Height, bulk, floor area, density and building envelope
- Setbacks, access, open space and parking/loading requirements
- Housing-mix or affordability requirements and incentive programs, where applicable
- Historic preservation, hazards, overlays, special districts and reviewing agencies
Findings require source checks and, where necessary, agency confirmation.
A conceptual site test can compare buildable area with program, circulation, daylight and usable space.
Illustrative diagram; not a real property's development capacity.
Test the effect of program, acquisition, cost, revenue and financing assumptions before relying on any return metric.
Fabricated inputs for illustration only. Actual studies must document methods, assumptions and uncertainty.
A useful study concludes with an actionable sequence, not just a collection of findings.
- 01 Resolve critical zoning and approval questions
- 02 Obtain survey, title or specialist information where needed
- 03 Compare and refine the most promising development scenarios
- 04 Decide whether to acquire, redesign, pursue pre-application review or stop
The order and responsibilities depend on the actual project.
What you'll receive
The right level of investigation depends on the decision you need to make. Select a service in the panel to jump to its approach, deliverables, boundaries, and indicative fee. Professional work is confirmed by a written proposal.
01SitePilot - Initial ScreeningFree
Explore a property's preliminary development assumptions before commissioning professional work.
Who it's for
Owners and developers in the earliest stages of exploring a property.
What's included
- Self-directed project workspace and preliminary financial scenarios
- Adjustable development assumptions and side-by-side comparisons
- Available property-source context and questions for further investigation
What you'll receive
A self-directed, preliminary screening workspace.
What's not included
Architect review, verified zoning conclusions, guaranteed buildable capacity, or investment-grade financial underwriting.
Fee and scope
Free during the launch period. Optional architectural services are separately scoped.
02Architectural Consultation$350
Focused professional direction before committing to a study.
Who it's for
Someone considering a property, renovation, acquisition, or early development concept.
What's included
- Limited review of documents provided in advance
- A focused 60-minute discussion of opportunities and constraints
- A short written summary of immediate risks and recommended next steps
What you'll receive
A consultation and concise written recap.
What's not included
Independent zoning verification, technical drawings, or comprehensive feasibility conclusions.
Fee and scope
Proposed fixed fee of $350 for the defined 60-minute scope; additional research or meetings are quoted separately.
03Site Feasibility ReviewStarting at $1,950
Understand the development potential, constraints, and major unknowns of a property.
Who it's for
Property acquisitions, redevelopment screening, and decisions about whether to invest in further design.
What's included
- Referenced zoning, land-use, and relevant code research
- Site and contextual constraints identified from available records
- Preliminary development capacity and entitlement-path screening
- Principal uncertainties, priorities for due diligence, and recommended next steps
What you'll receive
An illustrated PDF with regulatory references, a preliminary capacity summary, documented assumptions, and decision-oriented recommendations.
What's not included
Detailed 3D massing, multiple developed design alternatives, engineered estimates, and comprehensive investment underwriting.
Fee and scope
Starting at $1,950 for a defined property and research scope. Additional parcels, complex regulatory pathways, incomplete records, or specialist involvement may increase the fee.
04Development Strategy StudyStarting at $6,500
Compare what could be developed and which approach appears most viable.
Who it's for
Developers, investors, and owners comparing meaningful development alternatives.
What's included
- Site and regulatory analysis forming the baseline for comparison
- Two preliminary massing or program scenarios, as defined in the proposal
- Gross area, program, and unit-yield comparisons
- Conceptual development costs, revenue assumptions, and financial sensitivities
- Major risks, tradeoffs, and a recommended direction for further investigation
What you'll receive
An illustrated comparative study with conceptual massing imagery, scenario tables, preliminary economics, and a client presentation.
What's not included
Permit-ready design, engineered construction cost estimates, formal entitlement work, or lender-grade underwriting.
Fee and scope
Starting at $6,500 for a defined comparative scope. Additional scenarios, parcels, program changes, specialist studies, and more detailed financial models are separately quoted.
05Entitlement & Pre-Application StrategyCustom proposal
Prepare a viable development direction for the next phase of jurisdictional review.
Who it's for
Projects moving from initial feasibility toward municipal review and coordinated predevelopment.
What's included
- Preliminary approval-path and application strategy
- Identification of likely consultants and specialist investigations
- Agency meeting preparation or pre-application material, where scoped
- Prioritized milestones and unresolved approval questions
What you'll receive
An agreed approval roadmap and/or specifically scoped pre-application support material.
What's not included
Guaranteed agency approvals, surveys, specialist certifications, or full permit documentation unless expressly agreed.
Fee and scope
Custom proposal based on the jurisdiction, required submissions, coordination, specialist involvement, and meetings.
Additional studiesTargeted analysis available by proposal
Regulatory memoranda, standalone 3D massing, additional development scenarios, numerical unit-mix analysis, spatial test fits, preliminary financial screening, early design concepts, and investor presentation material can be scoped individually.
Simple unit-mix calculations differ materially from redesigning corridors, layouts, structure, or egress. The scope is defined before establishing a fee.
Discuss an individual studyFrequently asked questions
How much does a feasibility study cost?
A focused consultation is proposed at $350; a Site Feasibility Review starts at $1,950; and a comparative Development Strategy Study starts at $6,500. These are indicative starting fees, not final quotations. The final scope, fee, deliverables, and schedule are established in a written proposal.
How long does a study take?
Timing depends on the decision being evaluated, the property's jurisdiction, available records, and any required coordination. We agree on a realistic schedule before professional work begins rather than promising a fixed turnaround without reviewing the property.
What should I provide to begin?
A property address, intended use, development objectives, the decision you need to make, and any deadlines. Surveys, existing drawings, prior approvals, or reports are helpful when available, but are not required to start a conversation.
Should I commission a feasibility review before buying a property?
Often, particularly when the acquisition depends on a change of use, added floor area, unit yield, or an uncertain entitlement path. Tell us about any contingency period so we can assess whether a limited, time-sensitive review is possible. A study can identify issues but cannot replace the buyer's other due diligence.
What's the difference between free SitePilot screening and an architect-reviewed study?
SitePilot is an automated, self-directed screening workspace using available information and user-supplied assumptions. A separately scoped professional study applies architectural judgment, checks defined regulatory sources, documents uncertainty, and provides a reviewed deliverable appropriate to the engagement. Neither guarantees a permit, investment outcome, or precise construction cost.
Is a site visit included?
Not in every package. Some initial assessments rely on available records and client-supplied documents. A site visit can be included or separately quoted when physical conditions, access, or existing construction materially affect the question being studied.
Can you compare several development scenarios or zoning pathways?
Yes, when comparative work is included in the scope. A Development Strategy Study may compare conceptual building massing, program and unit yield, regulatory approaches, and preliminary economics. The number of scenarios and depth of verification are agreed in advance.
What is the difference between a feasibility study and a construction cost estimate?
A feasibility study addresses a broader decision: what may be permitted, what can fit, which development options deserve attention, and what uncertainties could affect cost or value. Conceptual cost assumptions may be included, but a contractor or professional estimator should validate construction pricing when higher certainty is required.
Will the study confirm what the city will approve?
No. The analysis can identify applicable planning rules, potential entitlement paths, and matters requiring agency confirmation. Only the relevant authority can issue formal determinations or approvals; specialist legal, engineering, or other reviews may also be needed.
Can I rely on the study to purchase or finance a property?
A scoped feasibility study can help prioritize investment decisions, but it does not replace legal, title, survey, engineering, environmental, appraisal, lender, or other due diligence. Financial screening uses identified assumptions and is not a financing commitment or guaranteed return.
Can I commission just an individual analysis?
Yes. Regulatory research, conceptual massing, unit-mix testing, financial screening, and presentation material may be available as separately defined services when the supporting information is sufficient. Changing a numerical unit mix is a different scope from redesigning floor plans.
Make the next decision with better information.
Whether you're evaluating an acquisition, comparing development alternatives, or preparing for approval, begin with the questions that matter most.
Request Feasibility ReviewStudies are preliminary and rely on documented sources and assumptions. They are not surveys, legal opinions, engineering certifications, formal appraisals, guaranteed approvals, or construction documents. Financial screening is not a financing commitment.
Contact the studio