Why Engage a Professional Early?

When planning a new building or facility upgrade, many project owners focus first on budgeting, preliminary floor plans, or even contractor selection. But one critical move that can shape the project’s entire trajectory is often overlooked: engaging an architecture/engineering (A/E) professional from the very beginning.

At The JDI Group, we’ve seen firsthand how early involvement leads to smarter design decisions, streamlined approvals, and long-term project success. Here’s why it matters:

1. Site Feasibility and Property Assessments

Before you buy land or commit to retrofitting an existing facility, an A/E team can provide valuable insight into what’s possible and what’s not. For new sites, that means evaluating zoning restrictions, utility access, and environmental constraints. For existing buildings, it often includes assessing whether a change of use is feasible under current codes and how it might impact occupancy, fire barrier separations, automatic sprinkler systems, and other life safety requirements. Trees, landscaping, and parking requirements may be affected as well. Early professional input ensures you fully understand the opportunities and limitations of a site before investing, saving time, money, and costly revisions down the line.

2. Informed Planning and Budgeting

Too often, projects begin with a budget built on assumptions. An A/E professional helps define the scope, identify potential risks, and provide realistic cost and schedule projections. This sets clear expectations and prevents surprises later in the design or construction phases.

3. Integrated Design That Supports Long-Term Goals

Whether you’re focused on energy efficiency, operational workflow, or future expansion, early design conversations ensure your facility supports your objectives from day one. Architecture and engineering are most effective when developed in tandem, with each discipline informing the other. That’s why integrated teams that include all design disciplines are invaluable and why their input is so critical early on.

4. Streamlined Permitting and Approvals

Navigating municipal requirements and securing permits can become a major hurdle if not addressed proactively. A seasoned A/E professional understands what local jurisdictions expect and can guide you through the process efficiently, sometimes even helping you avoid needing variances or special approvals altogether.

5. Avoiding Rework and Scope Creep

When design starts late or decisions are made without input from the full project team, the risk of rework grows. A clear roadmap, developed collaboratively with an A/E team, prevents misalignment and reduces the likelihood of costly design changes once construction is underway.

Start Smart: Engage Early

The earlier you bring in an A/E professional, the more value they can deliver. From feasibility to final walkthrough, their expertise can help shape a smarter, more cost-effective, and better-performing project.

Whether you’re evaluating a greenfield site, planning to retrofit a decades-old facility, or simply exploring what’s possible, engaging the right partner early ensures your vision is supported by sound strategy and integrated design.

Let’s talk – The JDI Group is here to guide you every step of the way.

Global Packaging Manufacturer

• General scope
  • The JDI Group teamed with a local contractor for the design-build delivery of a 795,000 SF manufacturing facility expansion. JDI led the design phase for several additions, including a new warehouse, tank room, truck unloading area, corporate office, and maintenance shop, as well as interior alterations to support new process equipment. Our civil and surveying team managed the site development and permitting for all additions, while coordinating designs with the city’s road renovation project. JDI also developed stormwater management plans, designed a new detention facility, and upgraded the sanitary lift station. MEP and electrical teams supported key process infrastructure, including fire suppression, cooling water, compressed air, and new electrical service and lighting.
• What was the challenge?
  • A wetland located in the center of the planned expansion footprint posed a significant obstacle to the construction schedule. Additionally, the sanitary system required upgrades to meet the capacity demands of the expanded facility, requiring careful planning and city coordination.
• How did JDI address it?
  • JDI identified the wetland early and implemented a phased permitting strategy that allowed construction to begin on unaffected portions of the site while mitigation efforts proceeded. To maintain momentum and avoid delays, the team staged the building permit packages strategically. At the same time, JDI coordinated sanitary system upgrades with the city and provided a redesigned lift station to support the expanded use.
• Pros of those who got us involved early vs. cons of those who did not
  • What went right:
    • Early engagement allowed JDI to proactively manage wetland conflicts and coordinate infrastructure with the city, keeping construction on schedule and aligned with phased delivery.
  • What could have gone wrong:
    • Without early identification of the wetland and utility constraints, permitting delays and reactive design changes could have disrupted the construction timeline and added cost.

Property Management Company

• General scope
  • The client, considering the purchase of a lot for a new facility, brought JDI in early to assist with site feasibility and planning. The goal was to determine whether their desired building footprint, along with space for truck circulation and support infrastructure, could be accommodated on the property.
• What was the challenge?
  • Although the lot initially appeared to meet the client’s needs, a deeper review uncovered several constraints:
    • Pipeline easements, more extensive than originally expected, significantly reduced the usable area of the site.
    • An ALTA survey and additional due diligence confirmed that multiple easements overlapped the buildable area.
    • Environmental features, including a wetland and stream corridor, introduced further site restrictions.
    • When overlaid with the desired building footprint and truck circulation routes, it became clear that the full program would not fit on the lot without significant compromises.
• How did JDI address it?
  • Performed early site planning, including conceptual layouts that tested various building sizes, orientations, and truck traffic configurations.
  • Identified all site constraints, including pipeline easements and environmental features, before the land purchase.
  • Coordinated a wetland and stream delineation early in the process, enabling better planning around those sensitive areas.
  • Presented the client with multiple layout options and their trade-offs, giving them a clear picture of what was feasible and what wasn’t.
• Pros of those who got us involved early vs. cons of those who did not
  • What went right:
    • Because the client brought JDI in before purchasing the land, they were able to make a fully informed decision.
    • JDI’s conceptual site planning and due diligence prevented the client from buying a site that wouldn’t support their operational needs.
    • The client saved time, avoided wasted investment, and quickly pivoted to pursue a more suitable property.
  • What could have gone wrong:
    • Without early input, the client may have purchased the constrained lot, only to discover later that their building size or circulation needs couldn’t be met.
    • Significant redesign, permit challenges, or even needing to sell the lot could have added months of delay and unexpected costs.

Labor Organization

• General scope
  • The client planned to give an older commercial building a fresh exterior “skin,” including updates to the façade and surrounding site. While the project initially appeared to be a straightforward refresh, it ultimately triggered significant code-driven upgrades based on the level of investment being made in the building.
• What was the challenge?
  • Several issues emerged during planning and construction:
    • Per zoning regulations, when a building improvement project exceeds a certain percentage of the property’s county tax value (often lower than market value), the site must also be brought into compliance with current code, even if the building use isn’t changing.
    • The client’s updates, though focused on the building exterior, surpassed that threshold, forcing additional scope to be added.
    • During demolition, the team discovered that the original structure lacked adequate support for the brick veneer system. The building walls were uneven and lacked sufficient lateral bracing.
    • No structural drawings were available, and the extent of the issue wasn’t apparent until demolition was already underway.
• How did JDI address it?
  • Designed a comprehensive site upgrade package to satisfy zoning requirements, including:
    • New curbing and sidewalks
    • Replacement of the asphalt approach drive with concrete
    • Parking lot islands and enhanced landscaping
    • Street trees and trees within the parking area
    • Upgraded stormwater system featuring an Aqua-Swirl unit
    • A concrete pad in front of the dumpster enclosure
  • Developed a new structural solution for the façade, providing the lateral support needed for the new cladding system, even in the absence of original structural documentation.
• Pros of those who got us involved early vs. cons of those who did not
  • What went wrong:
    • The client was not initially aware that their level of investment would trigger site-wide improvements under the city zoning code.
    • Budget and schedule were impacted once those requirements came to light, and once structural issues were uncovered during demolition.
  • What could have gone right:
    • While the hidden structural issues might still have surfaced mid-project, JDI’s current knowledge now allows us to educate future clients early in the planning process, helping them weigh cost, code compliance, and site readiness more holistically.

Metal Fabrication Company

• General scope
  • The client was preparing to develop a new site along an extension of a new drive. The project included adding utilities and creating a suitable building pad for future development. The goal was to prepare the land to support new construction while managing site challenges economically.
• What was the challenge?
  • As development began, the team discovered that both the extended utilities and the site itself were at nearly the same elevation, rendering the utilities unusable unless the site was raised. This required a significant investment in grading and fill. The issue was not apparent until late in the process and created a domino effect of challenges:
    • The entire site needed to be built up approximately 6 feet to allow gravity flow for storm and sanitary systems.
    • Without elevation change, the alternative would have been a costly stormwater pumping system.
    • Additional site-specific requirements, including substantial landscaping costs (approx. $300,000), further impacted the budget.
• How did JDI address it?
  • Designed a deep detention pond on-site, strategically located to serve a dual purpose: meet stormwater management requirements and provide fill dirt to raise the site elevation.
  • Coordinated with the township to source additional fill from roadwork happening on a nearby road, reducing material costs.
  • Provided long-term site planning flexibility by designing the fill strategy to accommodate future building pad expansion.
  • Explored utility coordination, including the potential upsizing of the sanitary line on the drive to meet future site demands.
• Pros of those who got us involved early vs. cons of those who did not
  • What went wrong:
    • While JDI was engaged early to assist with zoning review, the full building and site-specific details were not yet available, limiting the ability to foresee key grading and utility conflicts.
    • The unexpected elevation issue added significant cost to the project, and could have triggered even greater expense if a pump system had been required.
  • What could have gone right:
    • Full early-site analysis by an engineering team could have uncovered the elevation conflict earlier, giving the client more time to evaluate the financial feasibility of the site.
    • Professional guidance could have helped the client weigh options such as site selection, fill sourcing, and long-term infrastructure planning more strategically.

General Contractor

• General scope
  • The client purchased an older factory building with a small front office and planned to convert it into a multi-functional space, including a showroom, office, warehouse, and paint booth area. Their intent was to keep costs minimal and avoid major infrastructure upgrades, including installing a sprinkler system or full mechanical ventilation for the spray booth.
• What was the challenge?
  • Several building limitations quickly became apparent:
    • The facility had a double-gabled roof, leaving no viable route to run the spray booth ductwork internally.
    • A 30-inch grade elevation difference between the site and building floor required the addition of an accessible ramp to the showroom and office areas.
    • The building was unsprinklered and lacked exhaust capabilities, yet these systems are typically required when adding a spray booth.
    • The site had very limited parking, which could pose long-term operational constraints.
• How did JDI address it?
  • Redesigned the ductwork layout to run externally and over the roofline due to interior space limitations.
  • Designed the duct system with consideration for future wall construction and building expansions.
  • Integrated a ramp into the office/showroom entry to accommodate grade changes and maintain ADA compliance.
• Pros of those who got us involved early vs. cons of those who did not
  • What went wrong:
    • The client purchased the building without a full understanding of its limitations related to mechanical systems, occupancy use, and access.
    • The intended spray booth addition would require costly upgrades, such as sprinklers and ventilation, that the client had hoped to avoid.
    • Limitations of the existing structure (roof type, layout, and elevation) introduced unanticipated costs and design constraints.
  • What could have gone right:
    • A preliminary code and feasibility study could have flagged these constraints before the property was purchased.
    • JDI could have helped the client assess alternate buildings better suited to their intended use, potentially avoiding costly retrofits.
    • Early professional input could have led to a clearer understanding of code implications, giving the client the ability to negotiate with sellers or plan more realistically.

EMS Provider

• General scope
  • The client sought to repurpose an existing building, which was formerly a semi-truck maintenance shop, for ambulance storage. They assumed the facility was suitable for vehicle storage and that only minimal design work would be required, such as drafting plans and preparing a code summary. The space included a wash bay, vehicle storage area, and office space, and it was already tied into an exhaust and emissions monitoring system.
• What was the challenge?
  • Shortly after signing the lease, the client received a correction letter from the City of Toledo stating that the project constituted a change of use, triggering stricter building code requirements. Despite the building’s prior use for vehicles, the intended function, storing large ambulances exceeding 10,000 lbs., classified it as an S-2 occupancy, separate from its former S-1 use. This change required enhanced fire safety measures and separation between occupancy types. The wash bay, office space, and vehicle storage area needed fire barriers, and the large floor area exceeded thresholds that could mandate fire sprinklers. The client, leasing rather than owning the building, was also hesitant to invest heavily in modifications.
• How did JDI address it?
  • JDI helped reconfigure the interior to meet code without the added cost of a sprinkler system.
    • Introduced 2-hour fire barriers to divide the building into separate zones (office, wash bay, and vehicle storage), each under 5,000 SF, in compliance with S-2 occupancy limits.
    • Converted an existing block wall into a compliant fire barrier with rated doors and top-of-wall detailing to close the gap to the platform above.
    • Tied the emissions system into the existing mechanical exhaust to meet operational needs.
    • Supported the client through the permitting process and helped coordinate with contractors for implementation.
• Pros of those who got us involved early vs. cons of those who did not
  • What went wrong:
    • The client had already signed the lease and begun planning before involving design professionals.
    • The City’s correction letter delayed the project timeline and introduced unexpected code-driven construction costs.
    • Budget conversations became more complicated due to the lease structure and uncertainty around who was responsible for upgrades.
  • What could have gone right:
    • Early engagement could have prompted a pre-lease code and zoning review.
    • JDI could have evaluated the feasibility of the facility and advised the client on potential building code implications tied to vehicle size and occupancy use.
    • Advanced discussions with building officials might have streamlined the permit process and prevented project delays.