SITE DUE DILIGENCE AND COST ESTIMATING   Identifying the utility related issues, as a part of a site acquisition proforma, land use planning or tentative map preparation, is critical in determining how the project can be best utilized. Understanding the potential conflicts that may occur between existing utility systems and proposed project improvements in the early stages of the project will help you to determine what should be anticipated. Butsko is experienced in site due diligence by regularly performing these site studies on a weekly basis for lenders, utility companies, municipalities, developers and engineer/land planners. Butsko’s utility research includes obtaining utility company as-builts/facility maps, conducting interviews with key utility company staff and field verifying the site conditions. Accurately determining the magnitude of the utility related costs is essential to the financial success of a project. By utilizing Butsko’s site due diligence information, Butsko can perform cost estimates ranging from comprehensive and detailed to order of magnitude and ballpark. Cost estimating your utility company charges (refundable, non-refundable/taxable), contractor costs (contractor provided material) and facility relocation costs will only be as accurate as your familiarity of the CPUC or utility company rate applications, design methodologies and construction standards. Butsko has extensive work experience with local regulated and non-regulated utility companies. Butsko’s knowledge of each utility provides us with a good foundation to accurately determine utility and applicant responsibilities and the related costs.