The Hidden Value of Early Stage Fee Analysis in Land Development

When most people think of land development, they picture the headline components: design, entitlements, construction. But one of the most consequential aspects of a project often gets overlooked and it can quietly dictate a project’s success or failure.

That piece? Fee analysis

Why Fee Analysis Matters More Than You Think

Impact fees. Permitting costs. Utility connection charges. In states like California, these aren’t rounding errors. They can represent a substantial share of the total development budget.

If they’re miscalculated or missed entirely, the consequences can ripple across every part of the deal:

• Pro formas fall apart

• Schedules slip

• Viability evaporates

But when fee analysis is done early and strategically, it becomes a powerful lever for cost control, value creation, and confident decision making.

CREDE’s Approach to Smart, Strategic Fee Analysis

At CREDE, fee analysis isn’t a box checking exercise. It’s a critical service designed to unlock value for our clients from day one. Here’s how we do it:

✅ Agency Intelligence

We maintain deep relationships with local agencies and stay ahead of policy shifts that can affect fee structures and timelines.

✅ Proactive Modeling

Every fee forecast we deliver is tailored to the project’s jurisdiction, size, and use type. This eliminates guesswork and ensures precision.

✅ Direct Coordination

We connect directly with cities, counties, and utilities to validate costs, explore fee credits and incentives, and avoid assumptions that don’t hold up.

✅ Advocacy for Smarter Decisions

Beyond accuracy, we help clients identify opportunities whether through density bonuses, cost allocations, or targeted waivers to improve both design and ROI.

A Real Example: Unlocking $800K in Budget Flexibility

In a recent California project, our early fee analysis uncovered an $800,000 overestimate in sewer and transportation fees. By engaging with the local agency early, we helped the client revise assumptions and reallocate that budget to increase project density and ultimately improve returns.

That’s the power of strategic fee analysis. Not just controlling costs but creating opportunity

Final Take

Fee analysis isn’t a behind the scenes task. Done right and done early, it’s a front line tool for shaping smarter, more resilient development strategies.

If you’re planning a project and want to get ahead of hidden costs, feel free to reach out to us.

Contact

Luke Castillo, Manager of Fee Analysis

📞 (949) 783-5334

📧 [email protected]