Scan to BIM Workflow Guide 2025: LOD, Pricing & Best Practices

TL;DR: The Project Manager’s Guide to Scan-to-BIM

• The Workflow: A 4-step process: Capture (Laser Scanning) → Process (Registration) → Model (Revit) → Validate (QA/QC).
• LOD (Level of Development): Don’t overpay. Use LOD 200 for spatial planning, LOD 300 for construction docs, and LOD 350/400 for precise clash detection.
• The Cost: Pricing typically ranges from $0.10 to $10.00 per sq. ft., driven by architectural complexity and MEP density.
• The Value: Clash detection in Revit using point clouds can prevent $15,000+ in field change orders per conflict found.
• Case Study: How we used this workflow to document the complex heritage geometry of St. Basil’s Church.

The “Black Box” Problem in Construction

For many architects and facility managers, Scan to BIM services feel like a black box. You hire a scanning company, they wave a laser around, and weeks later, a Revit file appears. But what happens in between? And why does one quote cost $5,000 while another costs $20,000?

The difference lies in the workflow.

In 2025, point cloud to BIM is no longer just about “tracing” walls. It is a rigorous engineering process involving noise cleaning, scan registration, and semantic modeling.

• Semantic modeling means identifying each element – wall, pipe, beam , so the model is intelligent, not just geometry.

A poor workflow results in “heavy” models that crash your computer and walls that aren’t straight. A professional workflow delivers a Digital Twin that is ready for construction.

This guide pulls back the curtain on the iScano workflow, explaining exactly how we turn point cloud data into actionable BIM models and how you can scope your next project to avoid overspending.

Step 1: Reality Capture (The Foundation)

Garbage in, garbage out. You cannot build a precise Revit model from bad scan data. Our workflow begins with selecting the right hardware for the specific environment.

• Terrestrial Scanners (Leica/FARO): Used for mechanical rooms, complex heritage facades (like St. Basil’s), and areas requiring high-precision, sub-centimeter accuracy.
• Mobile LiDAR (NavVis/SLAM): Used for long corridors, warehouses, and large commercial office shells where speed is the priority.

Best Practice: We often use a “Hybrid” approach mobile scanning for the big picture, terrestrial scanning for the high-detail mechanical tie-ins.

Step 2: Processing & Registration (The Cleanup)

Before modeling begins, the raw data must be “registered” (stitched together). This is where many budget providers fail, leading to “drift” errors across large buildings.

We use software like Trimble RealWorks and Autodesk ReCap to:

1. Align Scans: Locking individual scans together using survey control points.
2. Clean Noise: Removing “ghost” points caused by moving people, cars, or reflections (mirrors/windows).
3. Decimate: Reducing the file size without losing geometric detail, so your Revit team can actually open the file.

Step 3: The Modeling Phase (Point Cloud to Revit)

This is where the heavy lifting happens. Our BIM technicians import the point cloud into Revit and begin the modeling process. But it is not just tracing; it is interpreting.

The “Wall Straightening” Dilemma

Real buildings are never perfect. Walls lean. Floors sag.

• As-Built (True): We model the wall exactly as it leans (critical for heritage/analysis).
• Design Intent (Orthogonal): We straighten the wall in the model to 90 degrees (ideal for renovation planning).

Decision Point: We define this with you before we start. For St. Basil’s Church, we modeled the “True” deformation of the roof trusses to aid structural analysis. For a modern office fit-out, we usually model to “Design Intent.”

Step 4: QA/QC & Clash Detection

The final step is validation. We don’t just send the file; we prove it fits.

Clash Detection in Revit

Using tools like Navisworks Manage, we run an automated clash detection routine. We check our new 3D model against the original point cloud data to ensure no pipes, beams, or ducts were missed.

• Hard Clashes: A pipe running through a steel beam.
• Soft Clashes: A maintenance clearance zone blocked by a cable tray.

Finding these issues digitally costs $0. Finding them on the construction site costs thousands.

LOD Guide: What Level of Detail Do You Need?

One of the biggest drivers of Scan to BIM cost is the Level of Development (LOD). Requesting “LOD 500” for everything is the fastest way to blow your budget.

LOD Level	Best For	Description
LOD 200	Space Planning	Generic placeholders. “There is a wall here, roughly this thick.” Good for leasing and volume studies.
LOD 300	Construction Docs	Accurate geometry. “This is a 6-inch metal stud wall.” Standard for most renovation permits.
LOD 350	Coordination	Includes interfaces and supports. “This pipe has a hanger here.” Critical for MEP coordination.
LOD 400	Fabrication	Manufacturing level. Every bolt and weld. Used for steel detailing and pre-fab spools.

Note on LOD 500: LOD 500 is verification-level modeling and is rarely required outside of facility management or commissioning. It requires extensive field verification of non-geometric data (serial numbers, install dates).

Pro Tip: Use a “Mixed LOD” strategy. Model the mechanical room at LOD 350 for clash detection, but the office drywall at LOD 200 to save money.

Pricing: How Much Does Scan to BIM Cost?

In 2025, pricing for Scan to BIM services varies based on complexity and MEP density.

• Architecture (Shell & Core):$0.10 – $0.30 / sq. ft.
  • Walls, windows, floors, columns.
• Architecture + Standard MEP:$0.40 – $0.75 / sq. ft.
  • Adds visible ducts, major pipes, and lighting.
• High-Density Industrial / Heritage:$1.00 – $10.00+ / sq. ft.
  • Refineries, power plants, or ornate churches like St. Basil’s.

Note: These are modeling costs. Scanning fees are separate (typically project-based).

Case Study: St. Basil’s Church (Toronto)

The Project: Documenting a 170-year-old heritage landmark with complex Gothic Revival architecture and hidden roof structures.

The Challenge: No accurate blueprints existed. The “as-built” condition included over a century of undocumented shifts and renovations.

The Solution:

1. Hybrid Scanning: Used terrestrial scanners for the high nave ceiling and detailed stained glass.
2. Mesh Modeling: Converted the point cloud into a high-fidelity mesh to capture the organic curves of the plaster vaulting.
3. Outcome: St. Michael’s College received a complete Heritage Digital Twin, enabling them to plan a multi-million dollar roof restoration with zero guesswork.

Read the part of the case study: Historic Building Preservation at St. Basil’s

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion: Build It Twice (First Digital, Then Physical)

The old adage “measure twice, cut once” has been replaced by “model once, build confidently.” Scan to BIM is the ultimate risk mitigation tool for renovation and construction. By identifying clashes and verifying geometry before a contractor steps on site, you protect your budget and your schedule.

Ready to digitize your asset?

Contact iScano’s BIM Team to get a custom quote for your next project.

References

1. NavVis. (2024). The definitive guide to scan-to-BIM.
2. Autodesk. (2025). Scan to BIM: Benefits and How It Works.
3. BIMForum. (2023). Level of Development (LOD) Specification Guide.
4. Pinnacle Infotech. (2025). BIM Clash Detection: A Detailed Guide.