Typical Service Rates (UK 2025)
| Pricing Model | Typical Cost (ex VAT) | | --- | --- | | Per hour (bureau, send-in parts) | £14–£150/hr | | Per day (on-site mobile specialist) | £800–£1,500/day | | Small parts (bureau scan) | £80–£400/project | | Small building measured survey | From £350–£800 |
Simple individual components: shoe last £80, car bumper £150, casting £90, sculpture £130.
London vs. Rest of UK
| Cost Factor | UK Average | London | | --- | --- | --- | | Small-scale start price | From ~£350 + VAT | From ~£495 + VAT | | On-site day rate | £800–£1,200/day | £1,000–£1,500+/day | | Travel overhead | Minimal | Congestion, ULEZ, parking |
Central London adds Congestion Charge, ULEZ fees, and parking on top of the base survey rate.
Buy vs. Hire Analysis
| Option | Cost | Best For | | --- | --- | --- | | Consumer/pro handheld | £289–£1,400+ | Frequent in-house use, R&D | | Professional/metrology-grade | £8,000–£20,000+ | High-accuracy engineering, inspection | | Short-term hire (self-operated) | From £900/week inc. training | One-off projects, trialling technology | | Bureau scan (send parts in) | £80–£600/project | Small parts, ad hoc use | | Hire operator on-site | £1,000–£1,500/day | Complex on-site, construction surveys |
What Drives the Cost
- Part or site size — larger objects need more scan setups and longer processing
- Complexity — partitioned buildings, intricate parts with undercuts cost more than open geometry
- Surface finish — matte surfaces scan efficiently; reflective, black, or glossy surfaces need coating or additional passes
- Required accuracy — higher tolerances require more scan positions and tighter registration
- Deliverables — raw point cloud is cheapest; BIM models significantly increase cost
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does handheld 3D scanning cost per hour?
Bureau rates: £14–£150/hr depending on complexity. Mobile on-site specialists: £150–£300/hr. Full day rate: £800–£1,500/day.
Q: What is the London premium for scanning?
London adds £200–£500/day on top of standard UK rates due to congestion, ULEZ, and parking overheads.
Q: Should I buy or hire a handheld scanner?
Hire for one-off projects, trialling technology, or infrequent use. Buy for frequent recurring use (more than ~10 days/year) — professional units start from £8,000.
Q: What is the biggest cost driver?
Deliverables — raw point cloud is cheapest; full BIM/Revit models can cost 5–10× more than the scan itself.