In construction and renovation, the foundation for successful project execution often begins with an accurate site survey.
The Critical Role of a Site Survey
DedON specializes in delivering precise, detailed surveys that allow architects and engineers to tackle each project confidently, avoid costly errors, reduce tolerances, and enable a streamlined, predictable process.
In this article, we’ll explore how DedON’s comprehensive site surveys empower architects and engineers to make informed decisions early in the design process. Through real-world examples, we’ll highlight the consequences of relying on incomplete surveys and illustrate how accurate site data can distinguish a streamlined project from a costly setback.
Why Architects and Engineers Rely on an Accurate Site Survey
Detailed surveys are the backbone of effective planning. For architects, precise measurements mean they can design without adding unnecessary tolerances, leading to a cleaner and more purposeful design.
Engineers, meanwhile, benefit from knowing exact spatial configurations, structural limitations, and other critical data points, which helps them avoid issues during construction and allows for efficient material use.
When surveys are not accurate and complete, architects and engineers are left to make assumptions that can lead to disruptions, redesigns, and increased expenses. This reality is evident in several DedON case studies that showcase the impact of thorough surveys—and the pitfalls of cutting corners.
Real-World Examples: DedON’s Case Studies on the Value of Comprehensive Surveys
Here are three real examples that illustrate why DedON always suggests having an accurate site survey before starting a construction or renovation project.
Case Study 1: Avoiding Structural Surprises in Fashion Retail
A prominent fashion retailer chose a lower-cost, quick-turnaround survey provider to expedite their project. The provider’s survey was $200 cheaper and promised results one week faster than DedON’s. With this decision, the retailer initially felt they saved time and money, gaining early confidence in their project timeline.
The project involved merging three mall spaces into a single, larger store, which required constructing a demising wall opening. However, a critical oversight was discovered during construction: a structural cross-brace within the demising wall was missed in the initial survey, causing an immediate halt to construction.
The project was delayed as the design team had to reconfigure the layout to account for the structural elements, incurring additional design and labour costs. The final store opening was delayed, leading to lost sales and significant disruption to planning for all stakeholders involved.
“Choosing a low-cost provider often creates an illusion of speed, but you only see the real impact when downstream issues start popping up. With this client, this illusion resulted in a six-week delay, massive change orders, and six figures in stoppage costs—all due to missing structural details that a more comprehensive survey would have caught.” – Stephen, DedON
Had DedON been chosen for the survey, this issue would have been identified during the initial assessment, saving time and money while avoiding unnecessary setbacks. This example underscores the importance of seeing the overall project cost and investing in a survey provider with a reputation for precision, even when initial costs appear higher.
Case Study 2: Scaling Success for a Major U.S. Bank
In planning a rebranding initiative across California, a central U.S. bank required detailed surveys to determine the exact conditions of its branches. DedON was tasked with surveying half of the bank’s branches in Southern California, while a more prominent engineering firm handled the remaining locations in the state’s northern half.
The bank’s initial budget assumed branch sizes averaging 4,000–5,000 square feet, with some branches reaching 15,000 square feet. However, DedON’s surveys revealed that the average branch size was 7,500 square feet, with the largest branch surpassing 30,000 square feet. This significant discrepancy allowed the bank to adjust its plans early, focusing resources on the highest-performing branches for maximum budget impact.
In contrast, the surveys conducted by the other firm lacked the same level of detail and, therefore, the ability to properly identify exact sizes and make. This left the bank with insufficient data on those branches, which led to inflated costs as they had to overcompensate for unforeseen spatial requirements.
“Big brands often move fast, focused on their core business, not keeping track of their spaces in detail. Our survey’s accuracy allowed the bank to trust their budget and plans, bringing specific resources exactly where needed. In contrast, Northern California’s vague plans inflated costs as they had to overcompensate.” – Stephen, DedON
By providing precise square footage and a clear picture of each branch’s interior condition, DedON enabled the bank to make informed decisions, avoiding mid-project budget overruns and incomplete renovations. Without DedON’s accurate data, the bank could have exhausted its budget prematurely, leaving it with unfinished branches and unmet project goals.
Case Study 3: The High Cost of “Fast and Cheap” for a High-Value Shop-in-Shop
A fashion brand chose a quick, inexpensive survey provider for a high-profile project involving a flagship store in a prominent NYC location, aiming to expedite the design and installation of their 10,000-square-foot shop-in-shop.
Unfortunately, the survey’s inaccurate dimensions led to a significant mismatch between custom fixtures and the actual space, requiring the manufacturing of new fixtures and causing a ten-day delay in the shop’s opening.
“Opting for someone cheaper might save a few hundred dollars on paper, but the consequences downstream—like lost sales, delays, and extra construction—can be catastrophic. In high-stakes flagship locations, brands are ultimately buying ‘insurance’ against change orders by investing in a reliable survey upfront.” – Stephen, DedON
The shop’s delayed opening, estimated at $10,000 in daily revenue, resulted in $100,000 of lost sales—not to mention increased construction costs and additional fixture shipping fees.
A minor cost-saving decision in survey selection ultimately led to a substantial loss. DedON’s more meticulous survey would have provided the accurate dimensions needed, saving the project from last-minute changes and ensuring an on-schedule launch.
The Consequences of Using Cheaper or Less Detailed Site Surveys
The case studies we’ve outlined reveal a consistent theme: while cheaper survey options may seem like a way to save money upfront, they often result in far greater costs down the line.
Only accurate & whole surveys can lead to confident design assumptions, which lead to cost & time staying on-target downstream.
With DedON’s detailed survey process, architects and engineers can design confidently, knowing the information they’re working with is accurate. This level of certainty leads to more efficient workflows, reduced risk of change orders, and, ultimately, a more successful project outcome.
How DedON Empowers Architects and Engineers Through Comprehensive Surveys
DedON’s surveying process is tailored to meet the specific needs of each project, offering architects and engineers the critical information they need to make confident decisions. Here’s how:
- Advanced Technology: DedON employs the latest technology to capture precise data, reducing the risk of human error and ensuring that every measurement counts.
- Clear Documentation: Each survey includes CAD drawings, PDF reports, and high-resolution images, allowing for a thorough understanding of spatial and structural details.
- Collaboration with Clients: DedON works closely with clients to align project goals, ensuring surveys capture all necessary details and allow for accurate designs.
By providing trusted information upfront, DedON helps architects and engineers streamline their designs, eliminate the need for excessive tolerances, and reduce overall project risks.
3 Key Takeaways for Architects and Engineers
- Accurate Site Surveys Prevent Delays and Rework: Precise surveys help identify structural, HVAC and spatial realities early on, minimizing last-minute, expensive surprises.
- Detailed Data Reduces Tolerances, Maximizing Usable Space: With exact measurements, architects can design with greater precision, potentially increasing the merchandise capacity of retail displays.
- Investing in Quality Surveys Yields Long-Term Savings: Although quality surveys require an initial investment, the reduction in downstream costs often far outweighs the savings from cheaper, less thorough surveys.
Design with Confidence—Choose DedON for Accurate Surveys
Architects and engineers are only as influential as the information they work with. Choosing a precise survey provider like DedON equips design and engineering teams with the accurate data they need to execute projects seamlessly.
DedON’s commitment to thoroughness and quality has led to numerous successful outcomes for clients, from fashion retailers to significant banks, enabling them to achieve “magical results” through precise planning.
Ready to prevent costly delays in your next project? Contact DedON today to discover how our accurate site surveys can set the foundation for success.