What are as-built retail surveys?
A retail as-built survey captures the real dimensions, building structure, MEP and layout of your store environment — from walls and fixtures to merchandising zones and customer flow areas.
Whether you’re planning a store refresh, rolling out a new concept, or auditing your retail estate, our surveys provide the reliable data you need to make confident decisions to verify against existing or proposed construction.
In retail BIM workflows, verifying the existing condition of a building is often a contractual requirement.
Accurate as-built surveys confirm that construction aligns with the design brief and proposed plans, while also providing essential data for facilities management, compliance, and planned maintenance.
Who we work with
Undertake as-built surveys at any stage in your project
As-built retail surveys or ‘as-existing’ measured building surveys can be undertaken at any point in your project including:
- initial design phase
- pre-construction
- during construction
- post practical completion or
- post occupancy
These surveys provide accurate site data to support store planning, fit-outs, and facilities management.
Avoid project delays with our swift process to get accurate as-built retail surveys
Our streamlined survey process delivers precise retail as-built data quickly — helping you avoid costly delays, unexpected expenses, and increased workload.
Using HD 3D laser scanning, our surveyors capture detailed site data swiftly and accurately. For every day spent on-site, our team typically dedicates 2–3 days off-site to register the point cloud, verify it against existing drawings or proposed models, and prepare deliverables.
From this high-precision data, we produce 3D Revit building models or detailed 2D plans, sections, and elevations that reflect the exact dimensions and layout of completed retail spaces.
10 years of retail store insight for Polo Ralph Lauren
Our fast and reliable survey process helps retail teams manage fit-outs efficiently and avoid delays.
For example, in 2016 we completed 255 measured building surveys across 25 European countries in just 18 months for Polo Ralph Lauren. Since then, we’ve continued to deliver accurate as-built retail surveys over the past 10 years – demonstrating our ability to scale quickly while maintaining precision and consistency across global retail environments.
We have also delivering a decade of as-built retail survey data for luxury retailer Watches of Switzerland Group. See below for the case study.
The relationship between CADS and the Watches of Switzerland Group is critical as CADS has been the single supplier of all our KPI area (m2) and linear space (mm) data for over 10 years.
CADS was a market leader in 2012 and still is now. CADS has been our survey supplier of choice because they provide a fantastic, reliable, and quick responsive service. In terms of working together in the future, I'm very optimistic. I'm looking forward to the next 10 years!
Delivering a decade of as-built survey data for luxury retailer the Watches of Switzerland Group
For over a decade, we have been the retail survey partner of choice for luxury watch retailer the Watches of Switzerland Group, consistently providing efficient and effective as-built survey data of their extensive portfolio of UK stores.
Read case study
Supporting concession rollouts with accurate retail as-built surveys
Retail as-built measured surveys are essential for successful concession rollout programmes. By capturing precise site data before installation, retailers can ensure each concession space is accurately assessed and aligned with design requirements. This enables faster fit-outs, reduces rework, and ensures consistency across multiple retail locations.
Whether working with landlords, contractors, or internal or external store planning teams, our surveys provide the reliable data needed to streamline rollout schedules, control costs, and maintain brand standards across your estate.
Collaborating with retail teams to deliver survey accuracy and industry compliance
We work in accordance with professional and industry standards — including our ISO 9001-certified processes – to deliver accurate, dependable data for retail environments. Whether you’re planning a store refit, auditing your estate, or managing a rollout, our technical survey experts ensure precision at every stage.
By recognising the importance of good communication from the very first point of contact, we understand the full scope of your project to provide you with expert advice. This results in you receiving the best service and a practical cost-effective output for your retail projects in the present and future.
Ready to get your project started?
Complete complex retail construction and fit-out projects with ease and satisfaction by contacting our CADS Surveys experts. Simply complete the form and a member of our team will be in touch.
Complementary services to optimise your retail space
Our multi-disciplinary services help you transform and manage your store environments with confidence
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Our experienced surveyors work throughout the UK and Europe to tailor your retail survey contents to meet your project requirements and budget. CADS Surveys is well postioned to deliver rollout projects for our retail clients quickly, with minimal lead time.
Matterport retail surveys
For retailers, a Matterport Digital Twin enables the management of estate-wide design and refit projects remotely. Using these immersive 3D virtual tours colleagues can collaborate and make informed design decisions.
Measured surveys
Our experienced surveyors deliver comprehensive site survey services tailored to architects, project managers, property professionals, and contractors managing complex or multi-location projects. Operating across the UK and internationally, we ensure fast, reliable, and precise data.
