3D Laser Scanning Rent Vs Buy Vs Hire
Laser Scanning Equipment Rental vs. Laser Scanning Equipment Purchase vs. Hiring a 3D Laser Scanning Service
3D laser scanning is the most effective solution for documenting the existing conditions of a building or site. A laser scanner maps millions of surface points and creates a high-resolution, geometrically-precise point cloud of a site. The result is a complete and accurate set of real-time data, which can be mined for information or processed into customized 2D CAD drawings and 3D BIM models at any level of detail.
3D laser scanning provides critical data for many types of projects. It allows users to gather a substantial amount of spatial data quickly and easily. Accurate data can accelerate planning and keep projects on-time and on-budget. 3D laser scanning can be used for:
- Construction
- Architecture
- Engineering
- Renovation
- Design Planning
- Asset Management
- Facility Modifications
- Prefabrication
- Construction Sequencing
- Cost Estimation
- Mixed Reality and Augmented Reality
- Custom Analysis and Calculations
There are three options to think through when considering 3D laser scanning for your project. Renting a LiDAR scanner for a short period of time, purchasing a LiDAR scanner, or hiring a professional 3D laser scanning company to perform the work for you.
Common Equipment Used For 3D Laser Scanning
Option 1: Renting Laser Scanning Equipment
Many companies rent 3D laser scanning equipment to document the existing conditions of a site. Renting a laser scanner requires some product knowledge. It is helpful to know which scanner has the correct range and accuracy for your project. Renting a scanner could also be a good option if you need a specialized laser scanner that you might not use on an ongoing basis.
Make sure you are educated on how to use the laser scanner. Much time can be spent learning to use the equipment. Time and money can also be spent fixing mistakes which arise from the scanner’s improper use. Your team member needs to be thoroughly trained on how to use the technology to obtain accurate site data.
There are in-person and online training courses for 3D laser scanning systems and software. Classes can cover 3D measurement workflows, alignment, registration, data cleanup, target usage, and software*.
- A complete Leica 3D training and support package is available for $2,985.
Additional 2-hour courses are available for $450 each session and include:
- Alignment & TIN’s
- Basic Cyclone Features & Operations
- Basic Cyclone Registration
- Cloud to Cloud Based Registration
- Data Clean-Up Training Class
- HDS Laser Scanning Field Operations Training Class
- Target-Based Registration
*Source: Onsite-Online Training (wide-format-inkjet.com)
However, merely knowing how to operate a LiDAR scanner is only about 10% of what you need to know to provide accurate measurements for your site or facility. After laser scanning a site, the point cloud must be registered, and deliverables, such as CAD drawings and BIM models, are created. Do you have the knowledge and resources to register the data and create the right deliverables for your project?
In most cases, a specialized team of CAD and BIM design specialists will take data from a LiDAR scan and create the point cloud registration, drawings, maps, and models. If you do not have someone in-house capable of creating those deliverables, you will need to hire a team to make them for you. The cost for creating such items can be near $0.50 per sq/ft depending on complexity.
With a scanner rental, there is no need to worry about servicing or maintaining the equipment. However, there can be additional charges such as targets, tripods, batteries, charger, USBs, and shipping. Most scanner rental companies also require proof of insurance and account pre-approvals. In addition to renting a laser scanner, you may have to rent CAD software packages to process the data and create the necessary deliverables.
Based on actual marketplace supplier quotes, the average cost for renting a 3D laser scanner* is:
- $743 /day
- $3,046 /week
- $9,188 /year
*Based on Actual KWIPPED Marketplace Supplier Quotes
Autodesk is a global leader in software for designers, builders, engineers, manufacturers, and production teams. Below is the cost of a yearly subscription to their software:
- Leica Cyclone Register 360 Plus - $4,460 /year
- Autodesk AutoCAD - $1,955 /year
- Autodesk Revit - $2,805 /year
- Autodesk Civil 3D - $2,680 /year
- Navisworks - $3,210 /year
*Source: Autodesk: Autodesk | 3D Design, Engineering & Construction Software
GPRS does not provide LiDAR scanner rentals. We train and deploy hundreds of elite Project Managers who are experts in 3D laser scanning to assess the scope of your project and our Mapping & Modeling team produces the highest quality data and deliverables using state-of-the-art equipment, software, and processes.
Option 2: Purchasing Laser Scanning Equipment
If you have a continuing need for laser scanning, then buying a laser scanner could be the best solution as long as you have a trained staff who can optimize its use. There is a significant learning curve to attaining proficiency in 3D laser scanning. It is a capital investment, but it can cut costs, and allow you to respond quickly when laser scanning opportunities arise. Make sure you know which scanner is right for your long-term use.
Based on actual marketplace supplier quotes, the average cost for purchasing a 3D Laser Scanner is $46,951*.
Below are 3D laser scanner equipment purchase estimates from FLT Geosystems*.
- Leica BLK360 - $18,000
- Leica RTC360 - $85,000
- Leica P40 ScanStation - $85,000
Based on FLT Geosystems Supplier Quotes*
There are in person and online training courses for 3D laser scanning systems and software. Classes will cover 3D measurement workflows, alignment, registration, data cleanup, target usage, and software.
- A complete Leica 3D training and support package is available for $2,985.
Additional 2-hour courses are available for $450 each session*
- Alignment & TIN’s
- Basic Cyclone Features & Operations
- Basic Cyclone Registration
- Cloud to Cloud Based Registration
- Data Clean-Up Training Class
- HDS Laser Scanning Field Operations Training Class
- Target-Based Registration
*Source: Onsite-Online Training (wide-format-inkjet.com)
Do you have resources available to register the point cloud data and create the right deliverables for your project, whether that be the point cloud, 2D CAD drawings or 3D BIM models? Note, there are additional investments of purchasing software, hardware, firmware, maintenance, and calibration year-in and year-out.
Autodesk is a global leader in software for designers, builders, engineers, manufacturers, and production teams. Below is the cost of a yearly subscription to their software:
- Leica Cyclone Register 360 Plus - $4,460 /year
- Autodesk AutoCAD - $1,955 /year
- Autodesk Revit - $2,805 /year
- Autodesk Civil 3D - $2,680 /year
- Navisworks - $3,210 /year
*Source: Autodesk: Autodesk | 3D Design, Engineering & Construction Software
GPRS does not sell LiDAR scanners. We train and deploy hundreds of elite Project Managers who are experts in 3D laser scanning to assess the scope of your project and produce the highest quality data and deliverables using state-of-the-art equipment, software, and processes.
Option 3: Hiring A Laser Scanning Service
Hiring a 3D laser scanning service may be the best choice for your company. An experienced 3D laser scanning professional is able to provide quick and accurate field documentation and expert insight to your project. Experienced 3D laser scanning companies work efficiently, staying up on the latest trends in technology, workflow, and software. A service will allow your company to spend less time recording site data – and ensures the data is accurate, meaning fewer labor hours and reduced costs and change orders. Hiring a professional 3D laser scanning service can be the best use of your company’s time and money.
GPRS trains and deploys hundreds of elite Project Managers to assess the scope of your project and produce the highest quality data using state-of-the-art equipment, software, and processes. Point clouds, 2D and 3D deliverables are created and quality inspected by our team of in-house engineers and CAD technicians.
- To see the equipment GPRS uses for laser scanning data capture, click here.
- To see the software GPRS technicians are trained in, click here.
- To see the wide range of GPRS 3D laser scanning deliverables, click here.
GPRS trains and deploys hundreds of elite Project Managers to assess the scope of your project.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Service?
The cost of 3D laser scanning depends on the size and complexity of what is being scanned. GPRS can price 3D laser scanning jobs quickly because we have experience in a wide variety of industries for all scopes of work. We work with clients to determine what site data needs to be collected and what deliverables need to be created.
Here is a list of items the GPRS Project Manager will assess when determining the scope and cost of your 3D laser scanning project.
- Location
- Scope of work
- Square footage
- Site images
- Site plans
- Building or site complexity
- Building or site access and occupancy
- Deliverables
- Level of detail (if CAD drawings or 3D modeling is needed)
- Project timeline
- Special requirements such as night or weekend scanning
To request a quote from a GPRS Project Manager, click here.
The Choice To Rent, Buy, Or Hire A Service
Many general contractors outsource laser scanning to service providers that specialize in this capability. Investing in any technology doesn’t come cheap. It might make more sense to use a service and see the value before investing in the equipment and software.
Why Call GPRS Laser Scanning?
GPRS is one of the top laser scanning service providers in the United States. We have project managers in every market equipped with 3D laser scanners to quickly document accurate site data.
Our project managers undergo an extensive training program to ensure their competence in laser scanning equipment, field knowledge, and providing the best possible results for every project. Our CAD technicians constantly advance their education to improve efficiency and expedite deliverables for clients. Constant personal development enables us to provide the best quality and service.
When you hire GPRS, you know you’re hiring the most accurate in the business who will get the job done right – and fast – the first time.
For more information on hiring a 3D laser scanning service, contact GPRS today at Laser@gprsinc.com or 419-843-7226.
