Case Study: Scan to BIM for a Grade II Listed Commercial Property Westminster
A Westminster developer required accurate as-built drawings for a Grade II listed Victorian commercial property prior to a major refurbishment. The building's listed status ruled out invasive survey methods, and the complexity of the period features — ornate cornicing, original sash windows, and a vaulted basement — meant that traditional tape-and-measure surveys would not capture the geometry with sufficient precision for a LOD 350 BIM deliverable.
IceLabz was commissioned to carry out a laser scan survey and produce a Revit model to BIM Level of Development (LOD) 350 in accordance with BS EN ISO 19650-2:2018. The survey brief required that all work complied with the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and that the point cloud data be registered to OS National Grid coordinates so that the BIM model could integrate with the project-wide survey control network.
Project Overview
| Detail | Value | | --- | --- | | Location | Westminster, London | | Property | Grade II listed Victorian commercial | | Area | 850sqm across 4 floors | | Project | Full refurbishment | | BIM requirement | LOD 350 | | Listed building | Yes — Grade II |
Why Laser Scanning for Listed Buildings
| Traditional Survey | Laser Scan | | --- | --- | | Tactile measurement | Non-contact | | Scaffolding required | Scanner on floor | | Human error | ±1mm accuracy | | Limited data points | Full point cloud | | Slow | 2-day capture |
Scan to BIM Workflow
| Day | Activity | | --- | --- | | Day 1 | FARO Focus scan — all floors | | Day 2 | Point cloud registration + QA | | Day 3–8 | Revit modelling LOD 350 | | Day 9 | IFC export + clash check | | Day 10 | Delivery + client review |
Heritage-Specific Challenges
| Challenge | Solution | | --- | --- | | Period features | High-density scan settings | | Complex cornicing | Manual point cloud modelling | | Listed building consent | Point cloud evidence | | Plaster damage risk | Non-contact scanning | | Irregular geometry | Point cloud reference |
Deliverables
| Deliverable | Format | | --- | --- | | Point cloud | E57 (full resolution) | | Revit model | RVT 2022 | | IFC | IFC 4 | | Existing plans | DWG | | Levels schedule | CSV |
2025 Scan to BIM Costs for Listed Buildings (ex VAT)
| Property | LOD 300 | LOD 350 | | --- | --- | --- | | 500sqm | £6,000–£10,000 | £10,000–£16,000 | | 850sqm | £9,000–£14,000 | £14,000–£22,000 | | 1,500sqm | £15,000–£25,000 | £25,000–£40,000+ |
Typical Timeline
For a project of this scale, on-site laser scanning takes one to two days depending on the complexity of the floor plan and the density of period features requiring close-range scanning. Point cloud registration and quality assurance follow within one working day of the scan completing. Revit modelling to LOD 350 typically runs five to seven working days for an 850sqm four-floor property, with IFC export and a formal clash check adding a further one to two days.
A signed accuracy statement is provided with every BIM deliverable, confirming that the model geometry is within ±15mm of the point cloud data, consistent with the tolerances defined in the RICS Measured Surveys of Land and Property (4th edition) guidance note. The client receives all deliverables on a project-specific cloud portal within ten working days of the initial site visit.
When to Commission a Scan to BIM Survey
A scan to BIM survey for a listed building should be commissioned as early in the design process as possible — ideally before any stripping-out works begin — so that the existing conditions model is available to the design team from day one. The point cloud data can also be used to support the Listed Building Consent application by providing an unambiguous record of the building's condition prior to any alterations, consistent with Historic England's guidance on heritage recording.
For Westminster and central London projects, additional considerations include the need for street-works permits for scanner equipment set up on the public highway, and coordination with the building management company where the property is leasehold. IceLabz manages these logistical requirements as part of the standard project management fee.
Get a Quote for Scan to BIM on a Listed Property
To discuss a scan to BIM project for a Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II listed property in Westminster or elsewhere in the UK, contact the IceLabz team directly. Fixed-fee quotes are provided following a brief scope confirmation, and a preliminary site visit can be arranged within five working days of enquiry.