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.
Yes. You can adjust cost assumptions, rent projections, financing terms, and development timelines. Test your own underwriting assumptions or use our market-based defaults.
No. Feasibility Check shows what's possible and which strategies are optimal. You still need architects for design development and construction documents. But this helps you brief architects with the right program before spending $25K-$50K on preliminary design.
Unlimited. Test as many strategies as you want. Compare 5, 10, or 20 scenarios side-by-side. Find the optimal solution through iteration.
Yes. Export complete financial models, comparison tables, and scenario reports to Excel, PDF, or share directly with partners and lenders.
Feasibility Check works for multifamily, mixed-use, commercial, and industrial projects. If your project type isn't covered by standard templates, Enterprise tier offers custom modeling.
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.