I would recommend getting a contractor, soils engineer, structural engineer or general inspector to look over the property and give you a better sense of what's going on. 

Hi Garrett,Just off the top of my head, here are some of the steps you might want to take.Seek a construction lender for the job as as well as a lender for when you are stabilized.Find out what the Lender Requirements are for YOU (and your Partners and Co-signers) and for the Project, and work to meet the requirements.Open your dialog with a Lender(s) early on, and keep an eye on interest rates if they flux up you may want to reconsider doing your build.Talk to an Architectural Firm (that has built recently in the area) apartments of the size and type you are wanting.Ask them for some rough (You Spend) figures with timelines on them and see if that matches your Vision for the project (be ready to take out your checkbook for this).If it's a GO, have them recommend a General Contractor for the job (that has built recently in the area) apartments of the size and type you are wanting.If there are tax incentives tied to the project for certain renter classes have your CPA figure that into your projections.Consider any "Dirtwork" (soil engineering for poor soil) or required "Drainage" costs on your chosen site (or shortlist of sites).If it's a GO, tie up legal control of your building site.Note: Big construction can Bite you in a Big way if you have little experience in it.

One thing I can tell you is check for a soils report if you are in west LA, most likely you are on a hill and building setbacks such as H/3 requirements can really drive the cost of your foundation up.

Quote from @Kiara Sandy: You have three months to hustle and save up.

To get a more accurate quote for engineering costs the perimeter grade beam of foundation needs to be exposed (soil removed) to be evaluated... this is where I'm at right now.

@Brad Sand I tried them first.

Grading - you must have 6" in fall away for the house in the first 10' for all soil areas. 

You may be able to get away without some of the following.Civil Engineering-Drainage/Utilities/Tank $10,000-$12,000Site Survey $3,000Geo-technical/Soils Engineering $3,000Mechanical/HVAC $3,000-$4,000Electrical Engineering $2,000Structural Engineering $4,000Architectural $15,000-$20,000Landscape Design $5,000It adds up quick. 

Hire orrent a skid steer and remove 4 inches of top soil.

There is something called zone of influence but if your townhome was built properly and on 95% compacted soil this should not be an issueThis is also why you have insurance.