Feasibility Studies
Feasibility studies are preliminary studies that are undertaken in the earliest stages of a project to investigate the viability of a project and to clear up doubts or difficulties related to the proposals.
In order to determine if your project can be constructed, it may require a feasibility study, also known as a feasibility analysis or viability study.
Well-Planned Projects
A well-designed and well-planned project will benefit from conducting a feasibility study and should normally determine:
- Whether or not the project is viable.
- What site improvements need to be made in order to complete the project.
- If another location would be better suited.
- The size, scale and positioning of a building or access point.
- Consideration of a project and its surroundings or the impact it may have on others.
- Likely breaches of planning rules or building regulations.
What's Included?
Feasibility studies vary based on the complexity, size, and circumstances of each project.
On a large or complex project, it may be necessary to complete numerous feasibility studies that have different requirements.
In addition to the considerations mentioned above, your feasibility project may include:
- Planning permission such as securing legal/statutory approvals.
- Financial Feasibility – analysing the budget based on client requirements.
- Considering alternative solutions such as a remodel or other possibilities.
- Assessing client-provided site information.
- Consulting statutory authorities, and other third parties.
We have some examples of simple feasibility sketches or initial 3D images of projects past and present here.
Feasibility Studies FAQs
What is meant by a feasibility study?
Essentially, a feasibility study aims to find out whether a project is viable.
A feasibility study is an evaluation of a proposed project and it assesses various critical factors that dictate the chance of success in the early stages to avoid problems or heavy costs later. The main factor a feasibility study considers is project practicality.
Why carry out a construction feasibility study?
- A feasibility study could end up saving you money by avoiding a project that isn’t financially or physically viable.
- For projects that are viable, a feasibility study can help you work out how best organise your finances in order to structure and plan the project.
- A feasibility study can also result in recommendations for further studies that could be of use, for example, ecology surveys, drainage surveys and arboricultural surveys.
- A feasibility study can help a person better understand where the benefits or negative issues may lie, and how they can be exploited or fixed in order to overcome the challenges presented by the upcoming project.
What is a feasibility study for building a house?
A feasibility study is the act of analysing the project systematically to determine if it is capable of being carried out successfully.
A land feasibility study takes into account all the features and challenges of a plot of land to determine if building on it is practical.
Where can I learn more about feasibility studies?
Click on the link to the Designing Buildings link to read more.
