I've done similar to what I think you are going at, so take a breath. Grid in Maya is hard to set up or use, using power of 2 measurements helps ensure modular fitting (some form of numbering which is divisible by the base which would be the smallest 'unit' you have, for instance the smallest being 16 units, therefore…
There are quite a few times I have textured before I even began modeling a thing, just to get to the point here is a 3dmotive building video that uses the same techniques - http://www.3dmotive.com/training/udk/modular-building-workflow/?follow=true I think it just comes down to what you are working on, sometimes texturing…