When you’re prospecting in Texas, timing is everything. Each step of the building process brings a different set of players into focus.
By setting the right Latest Project Stage filter, you can align your outreach with the moment those contacts become active. This makes your calls, emails, and meetings more relevant and better timed.
Why Project Stage Filters Matter
Construction projects don’t move in a straight line, but most follow a familiar sequence: land changes hands, entitlements are approved, designs are drawn, permits are pulled, and trades mobilize on site. At each stage, a different type of stakeholder becomes the decision-maker or gatekeeper.
With Mercator, you can filter projects by stage to zero in on the right contacts at the right time, whether you’re chasing early visibility with owners or catching trade work closer to project close.
Here are the contacts you can get in front of at each project stage:
Who to Target at Each Stage
Land Title Change
Earliest signal that something is moving.
Owners – new property owners initiating development.
Developers – buying up parcels for future projects.
Numbered Companies – shell entities used to hold land (our AI matches these to operating companies!).
Rezoning / Plats
Entitlement work starts here.
Owners/Developers – still hands-on for plats.
Survey Companies – running land surveys.
Architects – brought in for early site planning.
Engineers – designing infrastructure and utilities.
Development Permits / Site Applications
Plans are formalizing, momentum builds.
Owners – making go/no-go decisions.
Architects – submitting stamped drawings.
Engineers – filing civil and structural documents.
Accessibility Compliance
Required step in Texas to ensure designs meet state standards before construction proceeds.
Owners/Developers – responsible for ensuring compliance filings are in place.
Design Firms (Architects, Engineers) – often listed as the filing party.
Note: Not all Acessibility Compliance statuses are early stage signals. "Project Registered" is the early stage signal, you're looking to select if you're hoping to get ahead of breaking ground.
Building Permits
Shovel-ready. Big contracts are awarded.
General Contractors (GCs) – officially on the project.
Trade Permits (MEP Permits)
Specialized scopes are lined up.
Electrical Trades
Mechanical Trades
Plumbing Trades
Getting Even More Specific
Within each stage, you can refine further using sub-filters under Latest Project Stages > Statuses. This lets you control when in the process you learn about a project, whether you want to spot it as soon as it’s filed or wait until the permit is issued and work is ready to start.
✅ Pro Tips:
If you’re selling to General Contractors, start at the Building Permit stage.
If you’re targeting Architects or Engineers, shift earlier to Rezoning/Plats and Development Permits.
And if you want to get ahead of everyone, watch Land Title Changes to catch owners and developers before design even begins.