7 Questions to Consider Before You Request a Quote
for 3D Laser Scanning, CAD Drawings, BIM Models, or Digital Twins
Preparing the right information before you request a quote for 3D laser scanning services can bring huge benefits.
Tell your 3D laser scanning company everything they need to know about your project up front and you will speed up the quoting process, streamline the work, and save yourself a lot of time and money.
To give you a head start on gathering information for your provider, we reached out to Nate Baker, GPRS 3D Laser Scanning Service Line Leader, who is an elite technician with years of field experience. Here are the seven things – according to Baker - that you should know (or try to figure out) about your project before requesting a quote.
Question 1: What will be your final use application of the data, drawing and/or model?
The 3D laser scan company will need to know what goal you want to achieve by obtaining a laser scan or a 3D model. Without that information, Baker says, a provider cannot advise you on the best possible approach to the project.
If you aren’t sure of your final use application, here are a few examples for reference:
- Obtaining an accurate record of a historical building
- Gathering window measurements
- Generating 2D floor plans of an office for space management
- Creating a detailed scan to BIM model of an industrial facility
- Performing clash detection as part of planning to move a large piece of equipment
Question 2: What is the scope of work?
To give you an accurate quote, your 3D laser scanning service provider near you will need to know the details of the space you want them to capture.
Gather information like:
- How many square feet?
- How many levels?
- Is it occupied?
- Does the project cover the interior? Exterior? The roof? All three?
- Does the space include a lot of glass or other highly reflective surfaces such as stainless-steel piping?
PRO TIP: Don’t think that requesting 2D floor plans for your five-story building is going to save you money. Most service providers will create 2D floor plans using 3D models as guides, which means they are generating the 3D model anyway.
Question 3: What file types are needed?
“It’s not enough for you to tell us to scan the building,” says Baker. “We need to know what files you want us to provide to you on the back end. Many people don’t think about this ahead of time, and I would say it’s absolutely critical for us to know that, in order to give our clients a quick turnaround.”
Gather information like:
- Should the point cloud be colorized or intensity map?
- Do you want the provider to create a 3D model?
- Do you also need 2D floor plans, elevations or reflected ceiling plans?
Question 4: What level of detail is required for the 3D BIM model?
If you want a 3D BIM model as your final deliverable, your provider will need to know how much of the space you want modeled and how detailed you want the modeling to be for each feature. These details may sound unimportant to know so early in the 3D laser scanning process, but Baker explains that they can have a huge effect on how the provider scans your asset—and as a result, can change the price of your project drastically.
To figure out what level of detail you require, answer these questions:
- Do you want a true as-built model or digital twin, or are you looking for a design-intent model that shows plumb walls and 90° angles?
- Are you looking for a basic 3D model, with architectural elements like columns and beams only?
- Or are you looking for something more detailed, for instance a model that includes MEP?
- How detailed do you want your model? Do you want all pipes two inches and up modeled? Or all pipes ½ inch and up?
- Do you want elements in different rooms modeled at different levels of detail?
Question 5: How do you want the data delivered?
Once you have decided on a set of final deliverables, Baker says, your provider will need to know how to get the data over to you. Since there are a wide variety of options, you’ll need to tell the provider which ones will work best for you.
Jot down some quick information, like:
- What software are you using?
- What version is the software?
- What file format would you like your data in?
- Do you want it mailed on a hard drive? Or shared online?
PRO TIP: Baker warns that you should be extra careful to verify your software specs. His team has dealt with cases in the past where a client has asked for files in a specific format—for example, they requested a Revit format—and then found out that they couldn’t open the file because their version of the software is a previous version.
Question 6: What is the project timeline?
Your provider will also need to understand your project timeline. This information will help them work within your schedule and avoid disruption on the job site.
Think about:
- Do you need a purchase order to begin work?
- How long will it take to get approval?
- Is your timeline strict? For example, do you need the provider to capture an industrial facility on a single day during a planned outage?
- Is your timeline flexible? If you need the provider on-site next week, does the day matter?
- What is your budget for 3D laser scanning? Does laser scanning and modeling need to be completed at once? We can execute projects in multiple stages. For instance, some clients will ask us to 3D scan and model one area of a building in an initial phase and revisit the remainder of the building at a later date.
- When do you absolutely need the deliverable by?
PRO TIP: Budget enough time for your provider to turnaround the data and deliverables after capture. After scanning, point cloud data is imported and registered. Registration is crucial to the quality of the final product. Registration errors, if not mitigated and resolved, can easily propagate and multiply further down the process. 3D modeling is a far more precise process carried out by CAD technicians. A reputable provider will clearly communicate the project timeline.
Question 7: How will the 3D laser scan company access the site?
Are you looking to scan a site that is restricted (like a processing plant) or one that can only be scanned at night (like an airport terminal)? Your provider will need to know your site access plan to complete their work.
Record information like:
- Is there security?
- Are there areas the provider will need security’s help to access?
- Will they need a manager to let them in?
- Will the manager or an escort need to be there for the scanning?
- Will they need to scan at night? If so, during what hours is the site open for scanning?
- Are there approvals, training, drug testing or other entry requirements before being allowed on-site?
- Will we need to work around staff, customers, etc. or will the building or space be vacant?
Answer these questions to expedite 3D laser scanning & receipt of your drawings and models
Baker says that answering these seven questions ahead of time can speed up your 3D laser scanning and 3D BIM modeling projects significantly.
“There’s always going to be some back and forth,” he says. “A reputable 3D laser scanning service like GPRS can help you determine your needs, explain the benefits of one approach versus another, and even talk you down from buying something you don’t need. Answer these questions the best you can, and this will give you a head start. You can 100% save yourself money by gathering this information before requesting a quote.”
If you’re considering laser scanning and need help answering these questions or determining if laser scanning is right for you, contact GPRS today. Our team can assess your needs and help you determine the best course of action.
