FAQ

What is your philosophy around municipal planning?

We see each community as unique and individual where our job as planners is to identify those unique aspects of the community and assist in identifying the community’s own vision for the
future. This philosophy drives us to implement the community’s unique vision with the overarching theme of improving the quality of life in the community.

Can you assist with grant writing?

Yes, absolutely. We’ve assisted many communities in obtaining grants to plan for and implement projects.

How do we communicate throughout the project?

We typically provide updates via email correspondence as we move through a project along with planned meetings to gather input and feedback.

Does J Caldwell & Associates have a minimum project size?

There are no minimum project sizes. We’re happy to speak with you about any sized
project.

At what point in the project should we hire J Caldwell & Associates?

We can work with you at any time, however, earlier is always better so we can provide guidance during planning and development of projects.

How are your processes and services unique?

We provide plans that are both innovative and practical. A unique combination that assists in getting projects done at a reasonable cost with an implementation plan that can be achieved.

What’s the typical fee structure?

We typically bill hourly. We can provide a budget for larger projects where we will bill hourly up to a not-to-exceed amount.

How is the timeline determined?

We tailor project timelines to the needs of the client, coupled with the needs of the project, depending on the level of public input and client review time needed.

What is our role in the planning process vs. your role? Who handles what?

Your role as a municipality is to provide us with the overarching goals and objectives of a project. Our role is to help you identify how to get the project done.

Have you worked with other small or mid-sized municipalities like ours?

We specialize in small to mid-size municipalities. It is highly likely that we’ve worked with a community of similar land area and population.

Do you provide Highlands Plan Conformance assistance?

Yes, we specialize in working with communities that are within the Highlands Region to maximize their potential and assist in Plan Conformance where it makes sense for both the community and the Highlands Region.

Do you have experience in Climate Change Related Hazard Mitigation Studies?

Yes, we are currently working on several studies associated with Land Use Elements and can assist your community as well.

How far do you travel? Which areas of New Jersey do you serve?

We serve a broad area surrounding our office in Newton. We have planners that live throughout northern and central New Jersey to assist in communities that are more distantly located. We will typically travel up to two hours from our office.

Do you work for private clients?

Yes, absolutely. We have worked for a broad range of private clients on a variety of applications.

How do I get a quote for a private project?

Just send us an email with the project name, location, application and hearing date (if you have one) and we’ll get back to you.