4 min read
When D.R. Horton’s Memphis division tripled its homebuilding pace over two years, the team faced an overwhelming challenge: how to manage and track multiple fast-moving land development projects at once. Traditional survey methods—typically one at the beginning and one at the end—left massive gaps in visibility.
Without continuous updates, critical issues had the potential of going unnoticed until it was too late, resulting in costly delays, change orders, and potential multi-million-dollar losses. Compounding the challenge, managing sites spread across wide territories meant hours lost to windshield time and inefficient communication, putting additional strain on a team already operating at full capacity.
To meet the demands of rapid expansion, D.R. Horton’s Memphis division implemented TraceAir—a site intelligence platform designed to give homebuilders greater visibility and control across active projects. Shortly after the rollout, Land Development Project Manager Brandon Byrd stepped in and quickly became the division’s go-to expert on the platform. From day one, he saw the potential to use TraceAir not only to monitor progress but to prevent costly issues before they escalated.
What began as a land development solution quickly expanded to support the entire division, from field teams to leadership. “Our acquisition, vertical construction, purchasing, estimators, stormwater, and sales teams all use TraceAir to work more efficiently and avoid costly missteps. Purchasers are using it to measure and estimate materials more accurately, and our sales agents are using it to help buyers visualize where their home is and what it’s near. It’s exciting to see everyone continue to discover new ways to use TraceAir,” shared Brandon. “Even division presidents and senior leadership rely on the platform to stay informed, make data-driven decisions, and get a clear view of progress across all of our communities.”
TraceAir is so much more than just a land development tool—it’s become the platform our entire division relies on. With unlimited licenses, everyone from acquisitions, construction, sales and leadership can access the same data, stay aligned, and make faster decisions without the miscommunications or delays we used to deal with.”
— Brandon Byrd, Land Development Project Manager, D.R. Horton, Memphis Division
Since adopting TraceAir, the Memphis team has seen significant, measurable returns, and with the time and money saved across projects, the platform quickly pays for itself.
On one project, Brandon and his team used TraceAir to identify a lot layout issue early—before staking—which saved the team an estimated $50,000 in redesigns and rework. In another case, they used TraceAir’s site analysis tools to confirm that expensive retaining walls weren’t necessary, resulting in $300,000 in savings. “Problems that once took weeks to resolve—and required surveys, site visits, and endless back-and-forth with contractors—can now be solved in under an hour with TraceAir,” Brandon explained.
The platform has also reduced windshield time and made site meetings more efficient. Instead of driving two hours to check a job site, Brandon can review the most recent scan and coordinate with contractors remotely. Even internal and executive meetings have shifted from static presentations to live walkthroughs in TraceAir, streamlining communication and increasing alignment.
“In meetings where we used to rely on PowerPoint or Excel, we now go straight into TraceAir. We can jump into any project we’re discussing, zoom in on a specific lot, a monument, a pool, a specific house—whatever we need. It’s become our go-to interactive tool where we can show cross sections, elevation data, and visuals to anyone on the team, instantly.”
One of the most critical—and expensive—aspects of land development is managing earthwork. Inaccurate grading can lead to unstable lots, drainage problems, and costly rework. With TraceAir, the team can proactively monitor site elevation, track cut-and-fill volumes, and catch issues early, before they escalate into delays or budget overruns.
Instead of relying on outdated survey snapshots or waiting weeks for confirmation, they now have access to accurate, up-to-date site data. “My favorite tool within TraceAir is Compare Surface,” shared Brandon. “With one click, it allows me to see where the site stands against the design grade and make sure we’re on schedule and getting exactly what we paid for. I also love to overlay our project plans to make sure everything is lining up as planned.”
This level of visibility allows the team to catch issues early, giving contractors time to correct course without disrupting schedules or budgets. It also helps verify that billed work reflects actual progress in the field, reducing the risk of overpayment or disputes.
“We’re talking about hundreds of acres and millions of dollars. If something goes wrong, it’s not just a small setback—it’s a massive risk. TraceAir helps me protect myself, protect our division, and protect our company. And if a question ever comes up later, I can pull up a scan from weeks or months ago to see exactly what happened and when. That historical data is incredibly powerful.”
For D.R. Horton’s Memphis division, TraceAir is more than a nice-to-have—it has become an essential part of how they operate. What began as a land development solution is now used on every project, supporting teams across every stage of the build process.
From acquisition and planning to grading and billing verification to material estimating and sales support, TraceAir brings clarity, accountability, and coordination to complex development work. “I would highly recommend TraceAir—the value is undeniable, which is why we use it on every project. The platform is straightforward, the support is outstanding, and the TraceAir team is always great to work with.”
With measurable time and cost savings, fewer mistakes, and better alignment across teams, TraceAir has become more than a tool—it’s a competitive advantage. To learn how your projects could benefit from TraceAir, schedule a demo with our team.
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