Due Diligence
At the beginning of every potential project, Cumulus Design reviews each site carefully to determine the defining characteristics. Our review process includes visiting the site to get an overall perspective as well as obtaining existing utilities, roadways, and proposed improvements there are from government agencies and franchise utility companies.
Meetings will then be scheduled with the government agency staff to determine what requirements will need to be met for the development of the site including any special conditions.
Site Planning
Cumulus Design believes that meeting with the client, city, and other design professionals early in the site planning process is critical. This allows for the client to discuss their ideas and requirements for the development of the project.
Working with the design team, we then prepare and coordinate a site layout to meet the project configurations, city requirements and any other job specific details. This site layout is then reviewed and approved by the client to confirm all project specifications.
Civil Contruction Documents
Hydraulic & Hydrologic Analysis
The preparation of the construction documents is the culmination of the design process. Cumulus Design works closely with the client and entire design team to verify that the final design product complies with the project specifications and expectations.
Our team brings past project experience into the design process, allowing us to improve projects and provide not only a high quality design, but a better constructible one as well. This experience provides time and resource benefits for the client during the construction process.
Surveying & Zoning
Cumulus Design provides our clients with a wide variety of surveys, from either a simple boundary or topography survey to a full ALTA survey. All the surveys performed are done with the help of a wide range of licensed surveyors.
We also provide zoning services ranging from land use changes, specific use permits to planned development districts. Working closely with the client, we can provide the required drawing and documents required for zoning, as well as represent the owner during any city meetings.
Detention / Retention Design
As part of any site improvement, storm water management is reviewed by the engineer and the city. Depending on the site’s use and configuration, detention or retention may be required to reduce the impact of the development on the surrounding land, rivers and lakes.
Cumulus Design staff has experience in a wide variety of detention / retention pond design and configurations. Detention ponds can either be above ground or an enclosed system which allows for the property owner to optimize the use of the site. Our team will work with the client and city to reach both the site requirements and the project goals.
SWPPP Preparation
As part of the preconstruction preparation and depending on the site, Cumulus Design can prepare a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for the project.
This includes available floodplain, wildlife and other environmental information for the area where the project will be constructed. This report also includes detailed information for the contractor to use to prevent soil and other materials from leaving the site and possibly impacting the environment.
When developing or redeveloping a piece of land, it is important to understand where the surface and rain water goes. To assist you in understanding what currently happens on your site, Cumulus Design offers hydraulic studies of existing and proposed drainage channels, storm pipes, ditches and other features.
Additionally, as part of the design process, a hydrologic study is performed to determine what happens when different amounts of rain fall onto the site. This report helps the client better understand what the needs are for any storm water improvements, be it a simple drainage ditch or an underground storm system.
Utility Design
A key part in any site development is the utilities. Site utility design is critical to the project to ensure that the required water, sanitary sewer, gas, power and other utilities are available to the client.
The design can involve on-site improvements, city main replacement, or any combination of utilities. Our team has experience in utilities design for a wide variety of projects ranging in size and complexity.
Project Administration & Observations
As part of the construction process, Cumulus Design offers our clients project administration and construction management services. We will coordinate with the project contractors to assist in maintaining the building schedule and budget and to resolve any issues as quickly as possible.
We can provide construction management services for the entire project, any portion of the project, or just the civil aspect of the project. We strive to work with the various entities to achieve the final project goals and present our clients with a project we ourselves would be proud to put our name on.
Permitting
Cumulus Design provides permitting services to the client for a wide variety of items. We can help expedite the permitting process, varying from simple grading and paving projects to building permits.
We will research past filed documentation, prepare exhibits and meet with various city staff and council members to obtain the final project permit.