All Forum Posts by: Manuel Moreno

Quote from @Robert Ellis:

Quote from @Manuel Moreno:

Hey Bigger Pockets community,

My family has been in commercial real estate development for years, and one recurring pain point we’ve constantly dealt with is unexpected site costs. Many developers get hit with subsurface surprises, delays, and budget overruns, even after site surveys. These hidden costs can eat into margins and disrupt timelines, yet there seems to be no streamlined way to tackle them before breaking ground.

I'm working on a solution that combines site analysis tech + cost prediction modeling to help developers get ahead of these risks. The goal is to give CRE professionals more accurate pre-construction cost estimates and prevent costly surprises.

I’d love to hear from the seasoned developers here:

How are you currently handling site cost estimation, and what’s missing?

Would a tool that gives you an early warning on site risks before breaking ground be valuable?

Not here to pitch—just trying to refine the concept with insights from the people who live and breathe CRE development. Let's discuss!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. 

— Manuel Moreno Jr.

I don't think there is a market for that personally. land development is done on a very local basis and isn't a service many CRE brokers use. CRE brokers are the largest and as a developer we wouldn't look at that. We would go to soil engineers or others. I don't think there is a middle area where people are looking for this info and I think it wouldn't be accurate for th markets we work in like Columbus Ohio or miami florida

Hi Robert, I truly value your expertise and the insightful feedback you’ve shared about commercial real estate development. Your understanding of local nuances and reliance on specialists like soil engineers is precise. With Granduff, we’re not aiming to replace those critical roles. We are intending to build a tool that can enhance the work of various professionals. Concerning your worry about our platform's accuracy,we would prioritize local mastery before any expansion, starting right here in the DFW area. Our idea is already being validated by local players who see its potential to enhance early project decisions, and I’m confident it can complement the work you and other brokers do. I’d be very interested in discussing commercial real estate development in general to understand your market insights further. Your perspective is tremendously valuable, and I’d love to explore how Granduff could add value. Let’s connect privately. AgaIn, I appreciate your response. 

Regards, 

Manuel Moreno Jr.

Quote from @Jamie Hora:

I agree with Henry's statement.  There are a large array of items that can be checklist-type answers, however many can sometimes pose further questions.

Ex. Is water available to serve the site?  A yes is great.  If no, then you ask, how far away is the waterline? Is extension of the line feasible? Will the City/jurisdiction contribute cost sharing? etc. 

I'm a civil engineer and what you're explaining is really step 1 for all projects.  We perform a Due Diligence Report that spells out all major items that could affect the project success.  It is maybe a couple thousand dollar up-front cost for the developers to determine the viability of a project.

I work with experienced developers, who could perform & gather all this data on their own if they really wanted to, but the value that an engineer brings on these is typically worth their time & small cost. 

The impacts of the findings obviously affect the cost of the project. I'd note, these can vary widely by region.  Extending a sewer line 300' in rural Texas is not the same as extending a sewer line 300' in a DFW suburb. That is what can be difficult if you are looking at automation of this step.  Just my thoughts!

Hi Jamie, Your insights on developer challenges are dead-on. I respect the depth you bring as a civil engineer. With Granduff, I’m building something to enhance, not replace, that expertise. Starting locally in Dallas with a sharp, data-driven approach to refine early project decisions, opening new doors for developers. I’d prefer to keep this close for now, but if you’re interested, let’s connect privately for a quick call to explore how this could drive real value together.

Best,

Manuel Moreno Jr.

Quote from @Henry Clark:

OP not sure what your missing and the degree to which your missing.   

1.  Checklist- all major items should be known up front.  Sewer elevations, fire hydrants, setbacks, soil compaction, storm ponds, storm drains, easements, utilities access, road access, etc.  

2.   Discuss plan with Planning Zoning group.

3.  Your engineer should identify most issues.

4.  Mother Nature-  just have to deal with.

After that your misses will be inches and not miles.  

Please give your examples.   

 Henry, thanks for your comment. 

I should've been clearer in my messaging. My main point is I am working on a solution that will focus on the developer's bottom line. Given my experience in the field (5 years) not much but still counts right? Haha. But seriously, this is a pain point which is still persistent due to many factors. Some in our control, others not so much. However, realities shouldn't stop us from pushing innovation within our field. The intention is to minimize errors and thus save developers money. If this sounds interesting to you, we could discuss further in a private setting. TYIA. 

Hey Bigger Pockets community,

My family has been in commercial real estate development for years, and one recurring pain point we’ve constantly dealt with is unexpected site costs. Many developers get hit with subsurface surprises, delays, and budget overruns, even after site surveys. These hidden costs can eat into margins and disrupt timelines, yet there seems to be no streamlined way to tackle them before breaking ground.

I'm working on a solution that combines site analysis tech + cost prediction modeling to help developers get ahead of these risks. The goal is to give CRE professionals more accurate pre-construction cost estimates and prevent costly surprises.

I’d love to hear from the seasoned developers here:

How are you currently handling site cost estimation, and what’s missing?

Would a tool that gives you an early warning on site risks before breaking ground be valuable?

Not here to pitch—just trying to refine the concept with insights from the people who live and breathe CRE development. Let's discuss!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. 

— Manuel Moreno Jr.