A site survey measures the actual WiFi coverage in a location before purchasing any access point – it identifies dead spots, interference, and the number of access points needed based on wall materials. Without this measurement, installing equipment based on guesswork can result in blind spots that are discovered after the business has already complained. Ditap Tecnología offers a discount on this project.
Published on July 30, 2026. Editorial review: September 29, 2026. Prices are net references; confirm the scope in a proposal.
The scene repeats itself: someone buys three access points and haphazardly distributes them throughout the office. Two months later, there’s a meeting room with no Wi-Fi and a hallway where two networks are fighting over the same channel. A site survey—measuring before purchasing, not guessing afterward—prevents this.
Why doing it blindly (or “winging it”) turns out to be expensive.
A poorly positioned access point isn’t a minor issue: it leads to hours of complaints, visits to reposition the antenna, and, in a hotel or business with customers, ultimately results in a poor rating that’s difficult to recover from. The cost of conducting an initial site survey is significantly less than the cost of reinstalling afterward, and at Ditap Tecnología, this initial survey cost is deducted from the project when the installation proceeds.
What does a website survey measure?
It’s not simply strolling around the office, looking at your phone to see how many scratches it has. A professional site survey meticulously records, point by point, the layout:
- Signal strength (RSSI) In every area, including corners and enclosed rooms.
- Channel interferenceunique and from neighboring networks that share the same spectrum.
- Building materialsReinforced concrete and metal structures absorb the signal much more than a gypsum wall.
- Expected device densityIt’s not the same to have an office with 15 notebooks as it is to have a conference room with 200 cell phones connected at the same time.
- Critical areasserver room, cash register, reception area, any location where a WiFi outage halts sales.
Using that data, we can create a heat map of actual coverage, not estimated coverage, and from that, we can determine how many access points are needed and where each one should be placed.
From dead zones to measured coverage
In a hotel environment, simply increasing internet speed doesn’t automatically solve the problem of a room with no Wi-Fi signal. The study allows us to differentiate between connection capacity, signal coverage, and interference from nearby networks. Subsequently, we measure the improvement at the same points on the floor plan. A new measurement then allows us to compare the signal and capacity with the initial state.
How many access points do I need for each type of space?
This is a practical rule for assessing terrain, not an exact calculation: each building has its own unique physics. It serves as a starting point before taking precise measurements.
| Type of space | Land reference | What makes the calculation complicated. |
|---|---|---|
| Open office, with light walls. | One access point every 150 to 250 square meters. | Closed rooms with concrete walls. |
| Warehouse or shed | One access point every 300 to 500 square meters, depending on ceiling height. | Metal shelves, very high ceilings. |
| Hotel per floor | Approximately one room for every two to three feet of hallway width. | Thick walls separating rooms, and plumbing. |
| Commercial space with connected clients. | One per 100 to 150 square meters during peak occupancy hours. | Metal-coated glass panels, metal boxes. |
How is it done in practice
First, we measured the empty building with a test access point to establish a baseline. Then, we simulated the actual occupancy (with the expected number of devices) and made adjustments. Only then do we quote for the final equipment – either UniFi or Aruba – depending on what the company already has or prefers.
The order matters. Measuring with the building empty and without furniture in place results in an overly optimistic coverage – a metal cabinet or a shelf filled with products will absorb signal just like a wall. Therefore, the second step – simulating actual occupancy – is not optional: this is where the areas that appeared covered on paper are actually uncovered in practice.
Separate networks, not just one for everything.
A site survey also determines how many logical networks are needed, not just how many access points. For a business with clients, a minimum reasonable separation should be three: a management network, a guest network, and a network for cameras or access control devices, each on its own VLAN with firewall rules to control traffic between them. Without this separation, a compromised device from a guest network would be on the same network as the point-of-sale system or security cameras – something a well-executed site survey resolves before any equipment is turned on.
What do you take with you in the end?
A before-and-after coverage map, detailing the exact quantity and location of each. Your company’s Wi-Fi access pointAnd separate networks, categorized by use, with verified rules to prevent guests from accessing the administration network. The site survey isn’t an extra step; it’s the difference between a one-time installation and a two-step installation.
Technical reference
The Ubiquiti WiFi diagnostic guide Explain the importance of reviewing interference and channels. The quantities of equipment listed in this guide are indicative – they do not replace actual measurements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a website survey typically last?
Between two and four hours in an office or medium-sized space, depending on the number of floors and the size of the area.
Does it work if I already have access points installed?
Yes: a site survey of an existing network reveals where there are too many or too few devices, and helps to avoid over-purchasing in case of unexpected needs.
What exactly is being measured?
Signal strength, interference from other networks and equipment such as microwaves, and the number of devices each point can support without becoming saturated.
Is the result simply a report?
No: this is a coverage map showing the recommended number and location of access points, which also helps to quote the project without unexpected surprises.
