3D Laser Scanning Surveys

We capture buildings, structures and congested services as registered point clouds using Leica RTC360 and BLK360 scanners. Based in Lymington with an office in London, we scan across Hampshire, Dorset, the South Coast and nationwide.

When to scan

The point cloud becomes the trusted baseline for design, coordination and verification when record drawings are missing, out of date or wrong.

Refurbishment and fit-out where the existing drawings cannot be trusted
Plant rooms, risers and ceiling voids before MEP design
Checking installed works against the design (see as-built surveys)
Heritage and listed buildings with irregular geometry
Facade and roof condition records, combined with drone capture
Pre-contract records that settle later disputes about what was there
Vessels and marine structures for refit and fabrication (see marine scanning)

How we capture

A scan plan sets station positions for full coverage with overlap. The Leica RTC360 captures 2 million points per second with HDR imagery at each station; the BLK360 handles tight spaces, risers and plant rooms. Targets or cloud-to-cloud registration in Leica Cyclone REGISTER 360 produce a single aligned dataset with a registration report showing residual errors.

Where the survey must tie to the Ordnance Survey grid or a site control network, we set control using the DJI Matrice 4 RTK positioning or supplied survey control. Roofs, high facades and sites are captured by drone and merged with the terrestrial scans.

Deliverables

Registered point cloud in E57, RCP/RCS, LAS or PTS, structured by level and zone
Registration report and scan coverage plan
HDR panoramic images at every station, viewable without specialist software
Optional: 2D plans, sections and elevations, Revit or IFC models, or CAD models
Packaged to your naming conventions and uploaded to your CDE

Accuracy and what affects it

Manufacturer range accuracy for the Leica RTC360 is 1.9 mm at 10 m. A registered building dataset is typically within 2 to 5 mm overall. Real-world accuracy depends on line of sight, glazing and reflective surfaces, the size and complexity of the building, and the control and registration strategy, so we agree the tolerance that matters for your use before we survey and report against it.

Typical programme

Day 1: site capture, 500 to 1,500 m² per day for most buildings. Within 48 hours: registration and QA. From 3 to 15 working days: drawings or models, depending on scope and level of detail.

Our process

A straightforward, professional workflow:

Scope and planning
Areas, access, working hours, constraints, required outputs and formats.
Site capture
Efficient scanning plan to achieve coverage with minimal disruption.
Registration and data preparation
Point cloud alignment, cleaning where appropriate, and segmentation for usability.
QA and checks
Registration checks, review of coverage, and documentation of any limitations.
Delivery and handover
File set packaged in agreed formats with simple guidance on how it’s structured.

Recent laser scanning projects

Canary Wharf industrial complex: 700,000 sq ft, 4,500+ scan stations captured in three weeks with RTC360, BLK360 and mobile scanners working in parallel, modelled to LOD 300 in Revit.
Portland Lodge, Dorset: 40-bedroom hotel scanned ahead of refurbishment, delivered as a Revit model and 2D CAD.
Adanac Park, Southampton: industrial unit scanned as the baseline for fit-out and services design.
Loobert Road, London: terraced house, internal and external, for extension and refurbishment design.

Frequently asked questions

Is laser scanning better than a measured survey with a total station?

For whole buildings, yes: a scan records every surface rather than the dimensions someone chose to take, so you can re-measure from the point cloud without a return visit. Total stations still have a place for setting control and individual high-precision points.

Can you scan an occupied building?

Yes. Scanning is non-contact and quiet. We work around occupants, out of hours if needed, and plan stations to keep people out of the data.

What file do I give my architect?

An RCP/RCS point cloud links straight into Revit and AutoCAD; E57 works with everything else. We also supply HDR panoramas so the team can walk the building from their desks.