When The Nehemiah Company set out to develop Talia, a sprawling 612-acre master-planned community in Mesquite, Texas, they knew the scale and complexity of the project would demand meticulous precision, efficiency, and seamless collaboration. With plans to bring 2,500 new homes to families in the area, Development Manager Nipun Gadhok sought innovative solutions to streamline processes and keep the project on track. That’s when he discovered TraceAir.
"I needed a tool that would provide a comprehensive view of the entire site and allow me to stay on top of what’s happening in the field," Gadhok shared. “Since day one, TraceAir has been tremendously helpful in tracking Talia’s progress, offering a suite of tools that empower proactive earthwork management, foster seamless collaboration, and enable data-driven decision-making at every step of the journey."
Transforming Earthwork Management
Earthwork management is at the heart of Talia’s development. With plans to move millions of cubic yards of dirt—including the excavation of a large lake that will provide fill material for low-lying areas—TraceAir has been instrumental in keeping the project on track.
“So far, we’ve moved about 500,000 cubic yards of dirt. TraceAir has drastically improved our ability to monitor volumes and manage mass grading," Gadhok shared. "We avoid unexpected dirt imports or exports and keep our contractors accountable with the accurate data we get from TraceAir.”
The ability to generate cut-and-fill quantities at the click of a button has saved significant time and resources. Instead of waiting weeks for survey results, Gadhok can access updated data the next day, empowering his team to make informed decisions and maintain site balance. When unexpected challenges arise—such as franchise utilities leaving behind spoil piles—TraceAir steps in to provide quick quantity takeoffs. This allows Gadhok to efficiently bid out the work needed to remove the excess material, saving time and preventing disruptions.
Data-Driven Precision and Cost Savings
With TraceAir, any plan or file can be overlaid onto aerial imagery, providing an unparalleled ability to visualize, measure, and validate progress directly in the field. This capability reduces the need for unnecessary site visits, time-consuming manual staking, and repeated measurements.
"I can upload any file, overlay it, and use measuring tools to pinpoint exact locations," said Gadhok. "It’s so much faster and more precise. For example, with our sewer service plans, instead of staking every service manually, we simply upload the file into TraceAir and measure where each service should start. This saves significant time and ensures accuracy for our contractors."
This powerful feature also prevents costly mistakes. "Sometimes what’s happening in the field doesn’t match the plans, and this can be really hard to tell when viewing things in the field," Gadhok noted. "Overlaying the plans with what’s actually built makes discrepancies easy to identify and address before they escalate into expensive rework."
By comparing historical scan data to current conditions, Gadhok gains actionable insights into project progress and builder activity. This data informs real-time decisions, while refining future strategies for even greater efficiency. With TraceAir’s precision and foresight, the Talia team has saved countless hours and kept the project on schedule and within budget.
Streamlined Collaboration and Transparency
With multiple builders and diverse housing types spread across Talia, collaboration is not just important—it’s essential. To simplify communication and issue resolution, they use TraceAir to ensure all stakeholders have access to accurate, up-to-date data. By providing unlimited licenses at no extra cost, TraceAir ensures that builders, contractors, engineers, and even equity partners are aligned and equipped to make informed decisions.
One example of this streamlined approach is the color-coded exhibit created within TraceAir to track lot ownership by builder. "Now, when a builder calls about an issue on a lot, I can immediately see what’s happening and resolve it quickly," said Gadhok. "TraceAir saves us so much time and eliminates confusion."
The platform’s collaboration tools also extend to equity partners and investors across the U.S., providing them with direct access to real-time progress updates. "It’s much more impactful than just telling them," Gadhok added. "TraceAir enhances transparency, builds trust, and ensures everyone stays informed without extra reporting."
Leveraging Historical Data for Future Success
One of the features Nipun Gadhok values most about TraceAir is the ability to revisit previous scans and compare them to the current state of the project. “I love being able to go back to previous scans and see what the project looked like a few months ago or a year ago,” Gadhok explained. “With each scan, I can track progress and also see which builders were on site, helping me understand who was there and how long it took them to complete their work.”
This historical data is not just useful for monitoring progress—it’s a critical tool for future planning. “As we move forward, we’ll use the data captured by TraceAir to adjust our business plan,” Gadhok noted. “We’ll gain a better understanding of how long it takes for key activities like earthwork, utility installation, landscaping, and hardscaping to be completed. This will serve as the backbone for developing future communities, allowing us to become even more efficient.”
Ready to Transform Your Projects?
“TraceAir is a must-have tool,” shared Gadhok. “I recommend it to all of my developer friends because I see the value it brings to every aspect of our projects. It reduces the manual work we have to do, keeps everything on track, and helps us avoid rework. From tracking earthwork and utility installations to monitoring progress, TraceAir allows us to make smarter decisions and work much more efficiently.”
Gadhok credits TraceAir’s responsive support team and user-friendly tools for making the platform an invaluable asset. “The support we’ve received has been fantastic,” he added.
Discover how TraceAir can help you work smarter and achieve better outcomes. Schedule a demo today and see the difference for yourself.