Site appraisal for construction
Very early appraisals of potential sites for a development may be carried out by a surveyor, before the appointment of the consultant team, during the business justification stage. Appraisal of alternative sites may also be an important part of an environmental impact assessment.
Subsequent site appraisals by the consultant team will obtain details that might not have been available in the site Information provided by the client. They are also an opportunity for the consultant team to familiarise themselves with the site and assess the detailed surveys that might be necessary.
Specific appraisals that might be made by individual consultants include:
- Architect:
- Desktop study of site history.
- Study of site context including access, boundaries, levels, landscape (including possible ecological issues such as the presence of japanese knotweed), transport and traffic and an assessment of neighbouring properties and views.
- Appraisal of possible hazardous substances such as asbestos and other deleterious materials.
- Photographic studies.
- Assessment of the local planning authority's local development plan.
- Climatic conditions.
- Cost consultant:
- Structural engineer:
- Desktop study of geological issues or contaminated land.
- Cursory study of neighbouring or existing structures that might require demolition or might otherwise be impacted by development.
- Desktop study of foundation solutions adopted by adjacent developments.
- Services engineer:
- Location and nature of underground site services.
- Cursory investigation to establish 'cut off' for diversions of existing services.
- Statutory utility drawings for the site.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Alternative site assessment ASA.
- Building People.
- Building survey.
- Conceptual site model.
- Condition.
- Condition survey.
- Contaminated land.
- Demolition.
- Desk study.
- Development appraisal.
- Difference between existing use value and market value.
- Environmental Impact Assessment.
- Feasibility studies.
- Gross development value.
- Ground conditions.
- Insitu testing of soils.
- Laser scanning.
- Property valuation.
- Radon.
- Radon protection for new domestic extensions and conservatories with solid concrete ground floors (GG 73 revised).
- Site information.
- Site investigation.
- Site selection and acquisition.
- Site surveys.
- Soil survey.
- Surveyor.
- Technical due diligence.
- Vendor survey.
Featured articles and news
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
Comments