The Subdivision Scorecard
Is your engineer helping you move your project forward, or just getting drawings approved? For developers, every delay affects profit. Grading, servicing, and approvals are business decisions that impact how quickly you can build, sell, and reinvest. At DSEL, we’ve seen how engineering can either support or stall a project’s success. That’s why we created […]
18 Tough Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Land Development Engineering Firm
Selecting the right land development engineering firm is more than a technical decision, it’s a strategic move that shapes the entire trajectory of your project. The right partner will anticipate challenges, streamline approvals, and engineer solutions that maximize both efficiency and profitability. The wrong choice risks bureaucratic bottlenecks, costly redesigns, and missed opportunities. Choosing the […]
What Delays Are Really Costing Builders
Delays don’t just slow you down, they set off a chain reaction that can erode your profits, timeline, and reputation before construction even begins. From carrying costs and idle trades to frustrated buyers and missed opportunities, the hidden costs of falling behind are steeper than many builders realize. This infographic breaks down what’s really at […]
Bold Moves, Stronger Teams: How Trust and Innovation Shape Land Development
When David Schaeffer proposed designing 100 acres in 10 days, the team thought it was “submission impossible”. But by organizing, automating, and choreographing every move, they not only succeeded—they set a new industry standard. Now, the 10-day subdivision is a reality for any builder who wants it. And at DSEL, we believe success should be […]
Jodi Lieberman on People, Culture, and Brand at DSEL
We recently sat down with Jodi Lieberman, DSEL’s new Chief of People, Culture, and Brand Strategy, to learn more about her vision for the company. In this Q&A, Jodi shares what excites her about joining DSEL, her career highlights, and her approach to fostering a thriving workplace culture. What excites you most about joining DSEL […]
Solving Subdivision Engineering’s Biggest Challenges
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲-𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁? 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿. Speed, efficiency, and innovation aren’t just goals—they’re the standard. When you work with David Schaeffer Engineering Ltd., you’re working with a team that anticipates challenges before they arise, streamlines approvals, and delivers solutions that go beyond the expected. You don’t […]
Blueprints for the Future: Innovations Driving Success in Land Development
“Since our inception 30 years ago, DSEL has positioned our firm as the antidote to the timeline, financial, and complexity issues that characterize our industry. We built a whole company around what you need to succeed in this environment: a high-quality design, prepared in a short period of time, followed by a speedy approval.” In […]
From the Ground Up: Lessons from the Engineering Trenches

https://youtu.be/DAWF2NJMCeM David Schaeffer, Founder and CEO of David Schaeffer Engineering Ltd. (DSEL) s a visionary leader shaping the future of subdivision engineering. In this candid talk, he shares valuable lessons from the subdivision engineering trenches.
30 Years Strong – Making the Impossible, Possible:
This year, DSEL celebrates 30 years of engineering excellence—and a mission that’s anything but ordinary. With each project, we’ve tackled complex challenges, pushed boundaries, and delivered results that seemed impossible. It’s why feedback like this from Ben Pattenick, Senior Project Manager at Mattamy Homes, means so much to us:”DSEL is probably the best engineering consultant I’ve […]
30 Years of Innovation, Excellence—and a Whole Lot of Fun at DSEL!
DSEL recently celebrated three incredible decades of turning challenges into achievements. As part of our celebrations, we’re excited to share our ‘Submission Impossible with DSEL’ video This action-packed, laugh-out-loud tribute stars our very own secret agents of engineering, Kenneth Law, P.Eng. and Ciaran Mc Kee. Whether scaling walls or tackling subdivision challenges faster than a […]