Best Value Engineering: We Save You Money Without Cutting Corners
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- 5 min read
At JRH Engineering & Environmental Services, “Best Value” is not a slogan—it is how we design. Our value‑engineered civil, stormwater, and foundation solutions routinely reduce hard construction costs by 15–30% while still meeting or exceeding all applicable codes and permitting requirements. We do this by optimizing earthwork, drainage, utilities, and structural systems—not by stripping out safety, quality, or durability.
JRH Engineering & Environmental Services is the premier provider of Civil engineering and Structural engineering design Solutions in the states of Texas, North Carolina, and Florida. We deliver projects that are “Done Quickly. Done Right. And for the Best Value.”
What “Best Value” Really Means for Your Project
Not cheap engineering—smart engineering
When owners search for “how to reduce site development costs” or “how to lower stormwater and foundation budgets,” they often worry that cost savings will mean cutting corners. At JRH, Best Value means:
Designs that lower total cost of ownership, not just first cost.
Solutions that fully comply with codes, NFIP/FEMA requirements, and local criteria.
Engineering that is constructible and contractor‑friendly, preventing change orders and delays.
We routinely help:
Developers maximize yield while keeping site and structural budgets under control.
Contractors hit target GMPs without redesigning projects mid‑bid.
Public agencies stretch limited capital dollars across more projects.
Typical 15–30% savings areas
Our value‑engineered designs often achieve 15–30% cost reductions in:
Civil site work
Cut/fill balance and haul reduction.
Optimized road and parking sections.
Stormwater and detention
Right‑sized ponds and underground systems.
Efficient pipe networks and structures.
Foundations and structural systems
Correctly sized footings, slabs, and piles.
Efficient framing and wind/flood detailing.
These savings come from methodical engineering and local experience, not from weakening the design.
How JRH Delivers Best Value in Civil Engineering
Optimized grading and earthwork
On many projects, dirt is one of the biggest cost drivers. JRH’s civil engineering and grading plan designs are built around:
Balanced earthwork where feasible, minimizing import/export.
Strategic pad elevation choices that reduce wall heights, fill, and pumping.
Slope and drainage patterns that limit retaining walls and complex structures.
For example, on a typical commercial pad in Texas or North Carolina, a few inches of elevation change can:
Shift thousands of cubic yards of cut or fill.
Change whether export/import is required.
Affect drive approach and ADA compliance details.
We use these levers to save money before the first yard of concrete or asphalt is placed.
Efficient utilities and pavement
JRH’s site utility design and paving layouts are focused on:
Minimizing unnecessary utility crossings and depth.
Aligning utility corridors with phasing and constructability.
Selecting pavement sections that are durable but not over‑designed for the actual loading.
Instead of a “one‑size‑fits‑all” pavement section or oversized pipes, we calibrate the design to real traffic demands and local approval standards.
Best Value in Stormwater and Detention Design
Right‑sizing detention—surface and underground
Stormwater detention often consumes 5–30% of a site’s developable area. JRH’s stormwater and detention designs aim to:
Minimize land‑take for ponds while meeting volume and rate requirements.
Evaluate underground or structured detention where land is expensive or constrained.
Leverage infiltration trenches and LID features where soil and regulations allow.
By getting the hydrology and hydraulics right the first time, we avoid:
Oversized basins that eat into building or parking area.
Extra construction cost tied up in unnecessary storage volume.
Re‑designs after review comments that blow up the budget and schedule.
Lower stormwater costs without risking compliance
Common search questions like “how to reduce detention pond cost” or “can I shrink my stormwater pond?” have a simple answer: only with solid engineering and clear documentation. Our process includes:
Selecting appropriate design storms and downstream assumptions.
Using current rainfall data (Atlas 14, local criteria).
Providing transparent modeling for reviewers, avoiding over‑conservatism and under‑design.
This is how we achieve measurable savings while still obtaining approvals on the first or second review cycle.
Best Value in Foundation and Structural Design
Matching foundations to soils and loads
Over‑designed foundations are a silent budget killer. Under‑designed foundations are a liability. JRH’s structural team:
Uses project‑specific geotechnical data, not generic tables, to size footings and slabs.
Chooses between shallow, mat, and deep foundations based on actual soil profiles and building loads.
Coordinates with civil grading so foundation elevations and slopes work together.
This often produces:
Shorter piles or piers where soils permit.
Thinner slabs and optimized reinforcement patterns where achievable.
Fewer grade beams and unusual details, reducing forming and steel.
Integrated wind, flood, and gravity design
In Texas, North Carolina, and Florida, structural design must account for:
High wind loads (hurricanes, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms).
Flood and scour in mapped floodplains.
Conventional gravity and serviceability requirements.
By integrating windstorm and flood considerations into foundation and frame design, we avoid:
Last‑minute strengthening that blows up steel and concrete quantities.
Conservative “band‑aid” fixes that get permits but waste money.
Instead, we design an efficient load path from roof to soil that meets or exceeds code while protecting the budget.
Why Businesses, Developers, and Agencies Choose JRH
One partner for civil, structural, and environmental
Many owners search for “civil engineering firm near me,” “structural engineer for foundations,” or “stormwater consultant Florida/Texas/North Carolina.” With JRH, you don’t need three firms—you get one integrated team.
We provide:
Civil Engineering (site, grading, utilities, detention).
Structural Engineering (framing, foundations, windstorm, flood‑resilient design).
Environmental and stormwater compliance (SWPPP, water quality, wetlands coordination).
Land development support (concept planning, feasibility, preliminary layouts).
This integration:
Reduces coordination errors and RFIs.
Prevents over‑design caused by discipline silos.
Shortens permitting timelines, which also saves money.
Multi‑state experience with local nuance
We actively practice in:
Texas: urban and Gulf Coast projects with floodplain and expansive soil issues.
North Carolina: piedmont and coastal projects with detailed flood and stormwater rules.
Florida: hurricane, storm surge, and intense rainfall environments with tight stormwater and foundation requirements.
Because we see similar problems across three states, we can:
Apply the best, most cost‑effective solutions from one market to another.
Avoid repeating mistakes or over‑conservative habits.
Communication that protects time and money
Poor communication is one of the most common reasons projects run late and over‑budget. JRH’s culture is built around:
Regular, proactive updates during design and permitting.
Direct, honest advice when there is a cheaper, easier, or safer way to meet the goal.
Responsiveness during bid and construction to prevent schedule slips.
This is a core part of how we deliver work that is “Done Quickly. Done Right. And for the Best Value.”
Common Questions About JRH’s Best Value Approach
“How can you really cut 15–30% without cutting corners?”
We focus on:
Eliminating waste, not strength—removing unnecessary concrete, steel, and dirt.
Aligning with actual code and permitting requirements, not myths or outdated rules.
Integrating all disciplines, so no one is oversizing their portion to compensate for unknowns.
The result is lean, compliant designs—not compromised ones.
“Will value engineering delay my project?”
At JRH, value engineering is built into our initial design, not bolted on at the end. That means:
Fewer redesign cycles.
Less re‑work after bids or reviews.
Faster permit approvals and smoother construction.
Saving weeks or months of schedule is, itself, a major cost saving.
“Can you review an existing design and find savings?”
Yes. We often provide:
Peer reviews of civil, stormwater, or structural packages.
Alternative design options that preserve performance while lowering cost.
Side‑by‑side cost and risk comparisons so owners can make informed decisions.
Getting Best Value on Your Next Project with JRH
Whether you are a developer in Dallas, a municipality in Raleigh, or a property owner in Orlando, JRH can:
Review your site and program for civil, stormwater, and structural constraints.
Propose value‑engineered concepts that reduce hard costs while staying fully compliant.
Deliver permit‑ready drawings and calculations that your contractors can build efficiently.
JRH Engineering & Environmental Services is the premier provider of Civil engineering and Structural engineering design Solutions in the states of Texas, North Carolina, and Florida. We are committed to making every project “Done Quickly. Done Right. And for the Best Value.”
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