Just as a solid foundation is crucial for the stability of a building, an accurate site survey is the foundation for a company’s renovation or remodel, providing the necessary groundwork to build upon and ensure stability and success.
This article explains what a local site survey team does, the types of surveys, how they work, and more.
What are Site Surveys?
An architectural site survey is where Architectural Technologists and Space Planners (like DedON!) and other construction professionals (like you!) gather detailed information about a site where a building or development project is planned.
As-built site surveys thoroughly examine the current state of a given space, including decor and structural elements, Utilities, Existing Equipment information, and other relevant factors. They provide vital site-specific data to help you make the big decisions about leasing, purchasing, and the size of the construction project, from a light remodel to a full renovation.
Key Components of an As-BuiltSite Survey
An As-Built site survey might include many things. Here are seven of the most common components:
- Floor and fixture plans: Detailed site measurements, including dimensions, walls, structural elements, and fixed and non-fixed fixtures.
- Elevations: External and Internal Elevation details and flooring details, including slope.
- Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP):: Identifying existing utilities such as water, gas, electricity, and sewer lines and capturing data on current equipment, panel details, locations, serial and service information.
- Reflected Ceiling Plan: This is a detailed view of the ceiling layout, including light fixtures, ducts, panel placement, etc.
- Accessibility: Confirm and report on ADA-related items.
- Photo Sets: Supportive images that align with the survey layout and MEP items captured. Often, photo-bubble callouts are used in the drawings to ensure continuity.
- 3D Virtual Walkthrough: An optional 3D Immersive experience that enables you to walk through the captured space and see all elements as though you’re there, in-person.
Site surveys are essential for creating accurate architectural designs and improving the potential of construction projects being completed on-time and on budget.
Next, we’ll explore some types of architectural site surveys that a firm may provide for our clients.
Types of Site Surveys
Just as there’s a key for every lock, there are site surveys to fit every project type. Our clients, for example, often require specific site surveys to ensure their stores are optimally located and equipped to meet business needs and regulatory requirements. The following are the common types of site surveys we encounter.
Location Survey
A location survey analyzes potential sites for a new location, considering factors like foot traffic, visibility, accessibility, and proximity to competitors.
Our surveys can include information about environmental factors, such as energy efficiency, waste management, and sustainability practices. We can identify opportunities for green building certifications or sustainable design improvements from that data.
Location survey teams can also analyze parking availability, traffic flow, and ease of access to the new site. This information helps ensure sufficient parking for customers and smooth traffic management.
Building Condition Survey
A building condition survey assesses the physical condition of an existing building to identify necessary repairs, renovations, or updates to meet compliance standards. A site surveyor can also help you form a demolition plan if your vision includes tearing down an existing building and creating a new one.
Space Planning Survey
Measures a space’s internal dimensions and layout to determine the best fixtures, displays, and customer flow arrangement. It ensures efficient use of space and enhances the shopping experience.
Space planning can also include mapping out existing utilities and services, such as water, electricity, and HVAC, to identify any upgrades or modifications needed to support your vision for the finished space.
Finally, we can assess the site’s visibility from various vantage points and use that to suggest potential locations for signage. Doing this ensures that signage complies with local regulations while maximizing brand visibility.
Accessibility Survey
This type of survey ensures a site complies with accessibility standards and regulations, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Accessible Canada Act (ACA). It focuses on entryways, aisles, restrooms, and other aspects to accommodate all customers.
Security Survey
This type of site survey evaluates a business’s security needs, including the placement of security cameras, alarms, and other measures. It helps design a secure environment for customers and staff.
Market Analysis Survey
A market analysis survey evaluates the area’s demographic, economic, and social characteristics surrounding a location. It also provides insights into the target customer base, spending habits, and market demand.
By conducting these surveys, retailers and other businesses can make informed decisions about site selection, store layout, and operational improvements to enhance customer satisfaction and business performance.
When Do You Need a Site Survey?
You may wonder whether your project needs a site survey. What is the litmus test for determining whether a site survey is a good investment?
Like a flight plan for a pilot or technical cues for a stage show, a site survey ensures all relevant factors in a construction project are evident so the operation can proceed smoothly. That’s why they are crucial for new construction projects, property purchases, renovations, and expansions.
Do you need help deciding whether a site survey suits you, or are you at the right stage to involve a company like DedON? Call 1 (877) 863-3366 to book a consultation.
Benefits of Conducting a Site Survey
The benefits of conducting a site survey are vast and involve time and cost savings, among other things. Here are some potential benefits from a local site survey by DedON.
- Accurate Planning
Getting precise measurements and detailed information about the site is essential for accurate planning and design. Proper planning reduces the risk of errors and unexpected issues during construction and may identify potential hazards and site-specific challenges, such as soil stability, flooding risks, and environmental concerns.
- Compliance with Local Regulations & Environmental Factors
A site survey can help avoid legal issues, fines, and project delays by identifying the local area’s zoning laws, building codes, and other regulatory requirements.
A site survey can more thoroughly investigate environmental issues, ensure the project complies with environmental regulations, and support sustainable practices.
- Cost Savings
Site surveys benefit costly construction projects by helping identify necessary expenses ahead of time. They also allow for accurate budgeting and resource allocation and can prevent costly mistakes and rework by providing accurate site data from the outset.
- Enhanced Communication & Informed Decision-making
When multiple stakeholders are involved, a site survey helps provide a common reference point for everyone, including architects, engineers, contractors, and clients.
The comprehensive information in a site survey supports informed decision-making about site selection, design, and construction methods. That means that stakeholders can better understand the site’s constraints and opportunities.
- Optimized Design and Improved Efficiency
Site surveys can show whether the project’s design fits the site’s characteristics, including topography, existing structures, and utilities. Ultimately, this benefits the project by enhancing the space’s functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability.
- Increased Property Value
One overlooked benefit of a thorough site survey is that it can help a project maintain high standards, potentially increasing the space’s value over time. It can also help identify areas for future development, improvements, and expansions, further expanding the project’s overall value.
Overall, conducting a site survey is a crucial step that provides valuable insights and ensures that projects are well-planned, compliant, and successful.
What Is a DedON Site Survey?
One of the most essential things an architectural site survey must be is accurate. Even the most simple site survey should be precise.
When you work with DedON, you get years of experience conducting site surveys and creating realistic starting points for new construction, expansions, and renovations.
We provide clients with a transparent, accurate, and thorough 3-step roadmap for all site surveys. Here’s how our site surveys work.
1. First Contact
Our team comes to understand your project’s scope and timelines, collaborating with your team to develop a project plan and quote.
2. Site Survey Team in Action
Our site survey team visits your location to gather site information precisely. All collected data goes through DedON’s rigorous quality assurance process to ensure alignment with your project’s objectives. From this, we create resources that allow you to experience your space virtually.
3. Space Planning Asset Handoff
Upon completing your space planning project, we will give you a comprehensive list of customized and documented deliverables so you can effortlessly access them. Every aspect of your site survey and space plan is live on a secure server.
Conclusion
Don’t leave your site survey to an inexperienced individual or firm. Trust a company with the experience and technology to produce a complete and thorough site survey for your construction project for the first time.
Since 2003, DedON has been capturing accurate real-world conditions in site surveys for clients like Walmart, Shell, Macy’s, and Loblaw, making us one of the most trusted local architectural site survey providers.
Ready to see what a site consultation can do for your build?