The difference between a wireless network that consistently delivers and one that frustrates users often comes down to a single critical step: the site survey.

Reliable wireless connectivity isn’t just convenient—it’s essential. Yet most wireless network issues stem from improper planning rather than equipment failures.

But with limited IT resources and budget constraints, many organizations face a critical decision: conduct the wireless site survey in-house or hire professionals? Here’s how to navigate that choice.

When DIY Site Surveys Make Sense

While professional expertise offers significant advantages, there are scenarios where conducting your own wireless site survey is appropriate. Consider the DIY approach when:

You’re Working with a Simple Environment

Small offices with open layouts, standard drywall construction, and minimal interference can be good candidates for DIY wireless surveys, especially if they cover under 2,500 square feet, have fewer than 30 users, and require only basic connectivity.

You Have the Right Tools and Knowledge

DIY site surveys require more than guesswork. You’ll need proper survey software, an understanding of wireless signal behavior, the ability to interpret heatmaps, knowledge of wireless standards, and time for a thorough assessment.

“If you’re going the DIY route, invest in proper tools,” Tom Borkowski, founder of TPK Advanced Wireless advises. “Free apps might seem cost-effective, but they often provide incomplete data. A proper survey tool that can measure not just signal strength but also interference and throughput will save you headaches later.”

Your Requirements Are Basic

DIY surveys can work for organizations with simple connectivity needs. If you only require basic internet access, don’t rely on mission-critical applications, can tolerate brief outages, and have minimal user density with stable wireless demands, a DIY approach may be sufficient.

You’re Supplementing Existing Coverage

Expanding an existing, well-designed network is often easier than building one from scratch. A DIY survey may be suitable if you’re adding coverage to a stable network, using the same equipment, and the new area has similar characteristics to your current space.

When to Call in the Professionals

While DIY can work in some scenarios, professional wireless site surveys become essential as complexity increases. Here’s when expert help delivers the best return on investment:

Complex or Challenging Environments

Some environments pose unique challenges that require specialized expertise, such as manufacturing facilities with RF interference, healthcare settings with sensitive medical equipment, historic buildings with unconventional materials, multi-floor offices with complex signal propagation, and warehouses with constantly shifting inventory.

“In manufacturing environments, we frequently see DIY networks that work perfectly during installation but fail once production begins,” Tom explains. “That’s because they weren’t designed to account for the specific types of interference generated by operating machinery.”

Mission-Critical Applications

Professional assessment is essential when wireless performance directly affects business operations, such as in hospitals with medical devices, retail stores relying on POS systems, manufacturing floors with wireless-controlled equipment, schools supporting large numbers of users, and hospitality venues where guest satisfaction depends on connectivity.

“The cost of network downtime far exceeds the investment in a professional survey,” notes Tom. “For mission-critical applications, even a few hours of connectivity issues can translate to thousands in lost revenue or productivity.”

Specialized Requirements

Some applications require specialized expertise beyond basic coverage, such as VoIP, location-based services, real-time tracking, high-density deployments, and multi-gigabit throughput needs.

Future-Proofing Needs

Professional surveyors design networks with the future in mind, ensuring scalability, accommodating new technologies, planning for increased bandwidth demands, and providing documentation for seamless expansions.

“A properly conducted professional survey doesn’t just solve today’s problems—it prevents tomorrow’s,” Tom emphasizes. “We’re designing for where technology is heading, not just where it stands today.”

The Different Types of Wireless Site Surveys

Understanding the different methodologies can help you determine the right approach for your needs.

Passive Surveys analyze existing wireless signals without connecting to them, mapping coverage gaps and interference sources.

“Passive surveys are essential for troubleshooting existing networks,” Tom explains. “They show us exactly what’s happening in the airspace, revealing issues that users might experience but IT teams struggle to pinpoint.”

Active Surveys measure real-world performance by connecting to access points, testing throughput and connection stability.

“Site surveys are essentially about mapping the invisible,” Tom says. “We’re creating a blueprint of how radio frequency signals will behave in your specific environment, which is impossible to accurately predict without proper testing.”

AP on a Stick (APoS) Surveys simulate new deployments, validating design assumptions before installation.

“The AP on a Stick method is the gold standard for new deployments,” says Tom. “It eliminates guesswork by temporarily mounting access points exactly where we plan to install them, then measuring the actual performance before finalizing the design.”

Predictive Surveys use modeling software to estimate coverage for spaces under construction or when physical access is limited.

“While predictive surveys are useful starting points, they should always be validated with on-site measurements once possible,” Tom cautions. “Even the best algorithms can’t perfectly predict real-world signal behavior.”

Common DIY Site Survey Mistakes to Avoid

If you conduct your own wireless site survey, avoid these common pitfalls:

• Surveying at the Wrong Time – Wireless environments change drastically based on occupancy.
• Focusing Only on Signal Strength – Coverage alone doesn’t guarantee performance; interference and channel utilization matter.
• Overlooking Future Growth – Designing for today’s needs without planning for growth leads to future bottlenecks.
• Using Inadequate Tools – Consumer-grade apps and equipment often lack precision and miss critical interference sources.

“About 80% of the wireless networks we troubleshoot weren’t properly surveyed before installation,” explains Tom. “When networks are designed based on assumptions rather than data, they’re essentially built to fail.”

Ready for a Reliable Wireless Network? Contact TPK Advanced Wireless

Don’t leave your wireless infrastructure to chance. TPK Advanced Wireless brings vendor-agnostic expertise to every site survey, ensuring optimal performance without unnecessary upselling.

Whether supporting an office, retail store, warehouse, healthcare facility, or stadium, TPK’s customer-focused approach delivers cost-effective, future-proof solutions.

Contact TPK Advanced Wireless today to schedule your site survey and ensure your wireless network delivers the performance your business demands.