Typical Scan to BIM Prices (UK 2025)
Scan to BIM in the UK costs £600–£1,200/floor or roughly £5–£50/m² across both scanning and modelling phases. Final cost is driven by LOD level and building complexity.
Two Cost Phases
Every scan-to-BIM project has two billable stages:
| Phase | Rate | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | | On-site LiDAR scanning | £1–£5/m² | Driven by site size, access, resolution | | BIM modelling from point cloud | £4–£45/m² | Determined by LOD and disciplines in scope |
A typical 2,000m² heritage renovation at LOD 300 (Architectural + Structural) costs roughly £32,000 all-in.
LOD Cost Breakdown (Per Floor)
| LOD | What's Modelled | Cost/Floor (ex VAT) | | --- | --- | --- | | LOD 2 / 200 | Basic geometry, no MEP | £600–£800 | | LOD 3 / 300 | Full geometry, MEP rough-in | £800–£1,000 | | LOD 4 / 350–400 | Full MEP, structural, shop-drawing ready | £1,000–£1,200+ |
Adding MEP to LOD 3 pushes modelling rates to £25–£40+/m².
London Premium
Greater London typically commands a 20–30% premium over national rates due to access complexity, after-hours working, and security clearances. Express delivery adds +25%, weekend working +30%.
Key Cost Drivers
- LOD specification — biggest lever; each LOD step roughly doubles modelling time
- Disciplines in scope — Architectural only is cheapest; adding MEP 2–3× the cost
- Building complexity — ornate heritage vs. open-plan warehouse
- Floor count — multi-floor projects attract per-floor discounts
- Accuracy tolerance — survey-grade ±2mm vs. standard ±5mm
- Access constraints — occupied buildings, out-of-hours working, security clearances
- Output format — Revit (.rvt), IFC, ArchiCAD; Revit is standard for UK projects
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does scan to BIM cost per m²?
Roughly £5–£50/m² across both scanning and modelling phases. Architectural LOD 300: ~£7/m². Full MEP LOD 400: ~£10/m² or more.
Q: What is the biggest cost driver in scan to BIM?
LOD specification and disciplines in scope. Architectural-only is cheapest; adding MEP 2–3× the modelling cost.
Q: What LOD do I need for a UK refurbishment?
LOD 200–300 for most refurbishments. LOD 350–400 for MEP-heavy projects or prefabrication. LOD 500 for FM and digital twins.
Q: What is the London premium for scan to BIM?
London adds 20–30% over national rates. Express delivery adds +25%, weekend/night working adds +30%.