Know Your Project'sProfitabilityin Minutes
Archiwise automates financial pro formas, zoning analysis, and market demand assessment for any site, revealing profitability and risks in minutes, not weeks.
- •Model different unit mixes and build strategies
- •Compare ROI, yield, and downside across scenarios
- •Choose the path that maximizes value before hiring consultants
Why Traditional Feasibility Studies Leave Money on the Table
Most feasibility analysis tests one scenario: "Can we build what we want?" But the better question is: "What should we build to maximize return?" Traditional studies are expensive, slow, and test only the developer's initial concept-missing better alternatives entirely.
Architect Preliminary Design
The Process:
- •Describe your vision to architect
- •Wait 2-3 weeks for schematic design
- •Get preliminary cost estimate
- •Discover it doesn't pencil (or barely works)
- •Revise and iterate ($$$)
Consultant Feasibility Study
The Process:
- •Hire feasibility consultant
- •Provide program requirements
- •Receive static report with financial model
- •No scenario comparison
- •Pay again to test alternatives
In-House Spreadsheet
The Process:
- •Build pro forma in Excel
- •Estimate costs from past projects
- •Guess at buildable SF from zoning
- •Hope your assumptions are close
- •Discover errors after commitment
The Hidden Costs: What Gets Missed
Better building configuration that adds 3 units
+$210K
Parking trade-off that saves cost but only reduces units by 1
+$120K
Mixed-use option that qualifies for better financing
+$140K
Phasing strategy that accelerates cash flow
+$90K
Different unit mix better matched to demand
+$150/unit/mo
Total Opportunity Cost: $600K-$1M+ in unrealized value per project
From Parcel to Pro Forma to Optimized Strategy in Minutes
Six steps that transform feasibility from a binary yes/no into strategic optimization.
Automated Buildable Envelope
ArchiWise automatically generates the maximum buildable envelope based on all zoning setbacks, height limits, FAR, lot coverage, parking requirements, and code-compliant dimensional constraints.
The Intelligence: You see exactly how much buildable volume exists before spending on architectural design.
Unit Mix Optimization
Test multiple unit mix scenarios: studio-heavy (maximize density), 1BR/2BR balanced, 2BR/3BR family-focused, mixed-income (density bonus compliance), or micro-units. For each mix, calculate total unit count, rentable SF efficiency, parking requirements, construction cost, and market rent.
The Intelligence: Find the mix that maximizes NOI while fitting the envelope and meeting market demand.
Development Strategy Comparison
Compare fundamental strategy options: Residential-only vs. Mixed-use, For-rent vs. For-sale (condos), Market-rate vs. Affordable density bonus, Surface vs. structured parking, Single vs. phased development.
The Intelligence: See which fundamental strategy delivers best risk-adjusted return.
Construction Cost Modeling
Estimate construction costs based on building type, construction method, unit size and count, parking type (surface, podium, underground), location-specific factors, finish level assumptions, and soft costs.
The Intelligence: Real cost estimates, not guesses. Understand budget before committing to design.
Financial Modeling & Sensitivity
Generate complete pro forma for each scenario: development budget, revenue projections, returns analysis (ROI, IRR, Cash-on-Cash, yield on cost), and sensitivity testing (what if rents are 5% lower? Costs 10% higher?).
The Intelligence: Know your returns and downside risk before capital commitment.
Scenario Ranking & Recommendation
ArchiWise ranks all scenarios by highest IRR, best risk-adjusted return, fastest time to stabilization, lowest capital requirement, and most by-right (least approval risk).
The Intelligence: See which strategy is objectively best-not just which one you thought of first.
How Developers Use Feasibility Check to Maximize Project Returns
Scenario:
R-3 lot, can build 22-26 units depending on configuration. Developer assumes 2BR family units are optimal.
IRR Comparison
Scenario Comparison
| Strategy | Units | Cost | IRR |
|---|---|---|---|
| A: 24×2BR | 24 | $5.1M | 14.2% |
| B: 28×1BR | 28 | $4.8M | 16.8% |
| C: Mixed | 26 | $4.95M | 15.1% |
| D: 22×3BR | 22 | $5.3M | 13.4% |
| E: Density Bonus | 26 | $4.9M | 15.9% |
Winner:
Scenario B (28× 1BR units) delivers 16.8% IRR - 2.6% higher than original concept
Outcome:
"We would have built 2BR units because that's what we always do. Feasibility Check showed 1BR units delivered 2.6% higher IRR. Market demand supported it. That optimization added $340K in project value."
Feasibility Analysis Proves Your Strategy Pencils
See how Feasibility Analysis fits into the complete framework for confident development decisions.
Complete Example: 6 Scenarios Tested
R-4 zoning, 15,000 SF lot | Can build 32-38 units | By-right path available
IRR by Scenario
Winner: Scenario 3
Decision: Commit capital to Scenario 3 with full confidence it's the optimal strategy.
Developer Success Stories
"We were locked into building 2BR units. Feasibility Check showed 1BR units delivered 2.6% higher IRR. Ran the numbers, confirmed market demand, redesigned. That 30-minute analysis added $340K in project value. Now we test every assumption before committing to design."
"We assumed we needed full parking compliance. Feasibility Check compared 4 parking strategies. Dropping from 32 spaces to 20 saved $1.6M in structure costs. We lost 2 units but gained 190 basis points of IRR. Game changer."
"Residential-only felt simpler. Feasibility Check showed mixed-use delivered 1.7% higher IRR and qualified for SBA 504 financing at 50bps lower rate. That interest savings alone was worth $180K NPV. We went mixed-use. Best decision of the project."
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs are based on location-specific RSMeans data, recent project costs, and building type benchmarks. Accuracy is typically ±10-15% for preliminary analysis. Always get contractor bids for final budgets, but our estimates are reliable for go/no-go decisions.
Stop Guessing Which Strategy Works Best. Test Them All.
Join developers who optimize returns by testing multiple scenarios before committing to design-finding the strategy that maximizes value, not just the first idea that works.