What Is 3D Laser Scanning?
3D laser scanning uses LiDAR technology to capture millions of data points per second, creating a precise digital point cloud model of a building, structure, or landscape — typically to ±2mm accuracy.
A terrestrial laser scanner sweeps 360° × 300°, recording X, Y, Z coordinates for every visible surface. Multiple scan positions are registered into a single unified point cloud. What traditionally took a survey team several days can now be completed in hours.
Services Offered
| Service | Description | | --- | --- | | Measured building surveys | As-built floor plans, elevations, sections in 2D CAD | | Topographical surveys | Land surveys with ground features, levels, and contours | | Point cloud data | Raw data in .E57, .RCP, .PTS, .LAS formats | | 3D Revit/BIM models | Scan-to-BIM for design coordination | | Heritage and listed buildings | Non-contact scanning for sensitive structures | | Construction quality control | Proposed vs. as-built comparison | | Structural health monitoring | Comparing scans over time to detect movement | | Virtual tours | 360° interactive walkthroughs with remote measurement |
Outputs and Formats
| Format | Use | | --- | --- | | Point cloud (.E57, .RCP, .LAS) | CAD/BIM import, archiving | | 2D CAD drawings | Planning, building control, design | | 3D Revit/BIM model | Design coordination, clash detection | | TruView/JetStream portal | Online viewing and remote measurement | | 360° imagery | Virtual site tours |
Indicative Costs (London 2025)
| Project Type | Indicative Cost (ex VAT) | | --- | --- | | Small building / single floor | £500–£1,500 | | Medium commercial building | £1,500–£5,000+ | | Large or multi-storey (full BIM) | £5,000–£15,000+ | | On-site day rate | From £800/day |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How accurate is 3D laser scanning in London?
Modern FARO and Leica scanners achieve ±2mm accuracy — suitable for all construction, planning, and BIM documentation requirements.
Q: What can 3D scanning be used for in construction?
As-built verification, quality control, BIM clash detection, structural monitoring over time, heritage recording, and virtual site tours for remote inspection.
Q: How long does a London 3D scan take?
On-site scanning: a few hours for a small property, 1–3 days for larger buildings. Final deliverables: typically 1–2 weeks. Some providers offer 48-hour turnaround for urgent projects.
Q: Is 3D scanning suitable for occupied buildings?
Yes — it is completely non-contact and non-disruptive, making it ideal for occupied commercial buildings, hospitals, schools, and heritage sites.