If your civil engineering firm is spending too many hours on HydroCAD models — or struggling to turn stormwater reports around fast enough — outsourcing this work to a specialized team may be the most practical solution available today.
At A2Z Civil Engineers, based in Vietnam, we provide HydroCAD outsourcing services to civil engineering and land development firms across the United States. This article explains how the process works, what you can expect, and which projects are the best fit.
What Is HydroCAD Outsourcing?
HydroCAD outsourcing means delegating your stormwater hydrology and hydraulics modeling to an external team that operates HydroCAD software on your behalf. The external team receives your project data — topographic information, site plans, soil data, and local jurisdiction requirements — then delivers a completed HydroCAD model and stormwater report.
Your licensed engineer reviews and seals the final output. The outsourced team handles the computation, node setup, pond sizing, and report generation — the time-consuming production work.
What Work Can Be Outsourced to an External HydroCAD Team?
A2Z Civil Engineers currently holds a 90-node HydroCAD license, which covers the vast majority of residential and commercial stormwater projects. Here is what our team handles for US clients:
- Pre- and post-development hydrology modeling (TR-20, TR-55, Rational Method)
- Detention and retention pond sizing and routing
- Pipe network hydraulics and sizing
- ADS StormTech chamber design and layout
- Stormwater management reports (narrative + calculations)
- Erosion and sediment control calculations
- Storm and Sanitary Analysis (SSA) modeling as a complement to HydroCAD
How the Process Works — Step by Step
The workflow is straightforward and does not require any change to your internal process or software setup:
Step 1 — You send project inputs: Site plan (PDF or CAD), topographic data, soil report, local stormwater requirements, and any pre-existing drainage area maps.
Step 2 — We confirm scope and timeline: A2Z reviews the inputs within 24 hours and confirms what can be delivered and by when. Most standard residential projects are completed within 2 to 4 business days.
Step 3 — We build the HydroCAD model: Our team sets up subcatchments, reaches, ponds, and links according to your project parameters and local standards.
Step 4 — We deliver the model and report: You receive the HydroCAD project file (.hcp), a PDF report with all calculations, and supporting documentation for permit submission.
Step 5 — You review and seal: Your licensed PE reviews the output, requests any revisions, and stamps the final report. A2Z handles revisions at no additional charge.
Which US Firms Benefit Most from HydroCAD Outsourcing?
This service is most valuable for:
- Small to mid-sized civil engineering firms with 2 to 20 staff that regularly take on land development projects requiring stormwater analysis
- Firms experiencing peak-season workload spikes who need additional modeling capacity without hiring
- Land surveying firms expanding into civil design support for their clients
- Sole practitioners who want to offer complete site design services without building an in-house hydrology team
Why Work with a Vietnam-Based Outsourcing Team?
US-based civil engineers who outsource HydroCAD work to Vietnam typically cite three advantages:
Cost: Labor costs in Vietnam are significantly lower than in the US. Most firms reduce their stormwater modeling costs by 40 to 60 percent compared to in-house production.
Turnaround: Vietnam’s GMT+7 time zone means our team works while your office is closed. You send files at the end of your day and receive results the next morning.
Consistency: Because our team focuses exclusively on civil and survey drafting and modeling, the output quality is consistent across projects. We follow your templates, naming conventions, and local jurisdiction standards.
How to Get Started
If you have a stormwater project in hand right now, the fastest way to evaluate whether outsourcing works for your firm is to send us one project as a test.
We do not require a long-term contract. You send us the project inputs, we deliver a completed HydroCAD model and report, and you decide whether the quality and turnaround meets your standards before committing to further work.
To discuss your project or request a quote, contact A2Z Civil Engineers at contact@a2zce.com or visit a2zce.com.