Large-scale residential development takes more than putting people and equipment in the field. It requires planning across phases, coordinating each stage with the work that follows, and adjusting as schedules and priorities change.

At Ponder in Wendell, Sanford Contractors is supporting two phases totaling approximately 90 acres and 265 lots, with work on Phase 3 recently underway. The size of the project speaks to SCI’s capacity, but the day-to-day work depends just as much on close coordination and accountability.

Ponder also continues a relationship with Brookfield Residential, formerly Newland Communities, that spans more than 20 years. That history includes SCI’s site-development work across 1,500 acres at Wendell Falls, one of the Triangle’s largest mixed-use master-planned communities.

At Wendell Falls, SCI’s role grew as the community expanded and its needs changed. Early in Brookfield’s ownership, SCI worked with the owner and design team to evaluate existing infrastructure, support initial lot segmentation, and prepare for the first amenity site. Detailed budgeting, value engineering for rock excavation, and scheduling aligned with sales forecasts helped Brookfield make informed decisions and keep construction in step with the community’s larger plans.

That experience shapes the work at Ponder today. On a project of this size, phasing is about much more than dividing the acreage. Sitework, utilities, materials, inspections, and the work of other project partners all need to happen in the right sequence. Clear communication among the owner, design team, and field teams is what keeps that sequence on track.

For SCI, the move from Wendell Falls to Ponder represents more than a transition from one project to another. It reflects trust built through years of responsive planning, technical expertise, and an understanding of the owner’s goals. The acreage and lot count show SCI’s capacity; the continued relationship shows how the Sanford Contractors approaches that scale: with accountability from one phase—and one community—to the next.