Engineering Resources &amp; Guides

What Is a Soils Report?

The foundation of your foundation — what a geotechnical investigation includes, when you need one, and why it matters.

What Is a Grading Plan?

The civil engineering plan that shapes your site — cut, fill, drainage, and everything the grading contractor needs.

What Is Compaction Testing?

How field testing verifies your earthwork meets engineering specifications — and what happens when it doesn't.

What Is a LID Report?

Low Impact Development — San Diego's framework for treating stormwater before it leaves your site.

What Is a WQMP?

Water Quality Management Plan — the stormwater compliance document required across OC and LA County.

What Is a Hydrology Report?

The analysis that calculates stormwater runoff and sizes the drainage infrastructure to manage it.

What Is Slope Stability Analysis?

How engineers determine whether a hillside will stay put — and what it takes to build safely on California slopes.

What Is a SWPPP?

Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan — keeping sediment on your site and regulators off your back during construction.

What Is a Percolation Test?

The field test that measures how fast water drains through your soil — critical for seepage pits and stormwater BMPs.

What Is a Street Improvement Plan?

Sidewalks, curb and gutter, ADA ramps — the public frontage work most jurisdictions require with your building permit.

Project Guides

Project-Specific Guides

You're building something specific. Here's the engineering you'll need, broken down by project type.

Project Guide01

ADU Engineering Guide

Building an ADU? Here's every engineering deliverable you'll need — soils report, grading plan, and more.

Project Guide02

Hillside Development Guide

Slope stability, retaining walls, and specialized foundations — what hillside projects require in Southern California.

Project Guide03

Retaining Wall Engineering

When do you need a geotechnical report for a retaining wall? Here's the answer, plus what's involved.

Project Guide04

Pool Engineering Guide

Pool soils reports, foundation engineering, and what your contractor needs from the geotech before breaking ground.

Project Guide05

Commercial Development Guide

Site engineering for commercial projects — geotech, civil, and the coordination that holds it together.

Project Guide06

Addition & Remodel Guide

Adding to an existing structure? Here's when you need new engineering and what's typically required.

Tools & Reference

Interactive Tools

Interactive Tool

Project Requirements Checker

Not sure what engineering your project needs? Answer a few quick questions and get a customized list of deliverables for your specific project type, location, and stage.

Try it free →

Reference

Engineering Glossary

Searchable glossary of geotechnical and civil engineering terms used in Southern California construction — from ASTM standards to zone transitions.

Browse glossary→

Engineering Insights

The Moment Blog

Practical guides on soils reports, grading, stormwater, permits, and what engineering actually costs — written by engineers who do this work every day.

Read the blog→

From the Blog

Engineering Insights

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Civil5 min read

The Art of Grading for Civil Engineers

Grading is more than moving dirt — it's the process that shapes the land for safe construction, proper drainage, and long-term stability.

Geotechnical5 min read

The Importance of Soil Sampling and Soil Testing

Soil testing is one of the most critical steps in any construction project. Here's what it reveals — and why skipping it puts your project at risk.

Geotechnical5 min read

What Can a Geotech Do for You?

Geotechnical engineering is the discipline that makes everything above ground possible. Here's what geotechs do — and why their work matters for every construction project.

Civil5 min read

The Civil Engineer: Grading, Drainage & Hydrology

Civil engineers turn raw land into functional developments. Here's how grading, drainage, hydrology, and LID reports work together to make that happen.