The price depends on the specific project, not on a fixed rate
The price for 3D building scanning is not based on a fixed rate per square metre. It depends on the surface area, the number of storeys, the complexity of the façades and the expected deliverable, ranging from a rough survey to the most detailed modelling. Two comparable buildings can differ in price by several thousand francs.
Factors affecting the price of a 3D building scan
The floor area and the number of storeys form the basis of the calculation, but several other variables have a greater impact on the final quote. A curved façade, an irregular attic or a technical basement cluttered with service ducts require more scanning stations and more processing time than a simple rectangular structure. On site, the scan often takes around one hour per 100 m² of interior floor area or façade, but this rate varies significantly depending on the equipment used and the complexity of the premises.
The raw output of a laser survey is a point cloud – a collection of millions of coordinates measured by the scanner – which serves as the basis for all subsequent deliverables. The more obstacles there are in the field of view – such as furniture, partitions or technical equipment – the more scan points are needed to cover the obscured areas.
The accessibility of the site also affects the cost of the quote. An occupied site, restricted access or limited visiting hours prolong the on-site measurement process.
Finally, the type of deliverable makes all the difference. A simple scan, intended to verify volumes or check a layout, can be processed in a matter of hours.
A BIM model (Building Information Model), modelled to a precise LOD (Level of Detail) and coordinated with the MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) systems, requires significantly longer post-processing. A quotation based on a raw point cloud, without classification of elements, will inevitably cost less than a project delivering a model ready for such coordination.
With these variables established, the following orders of magnitude provide a concrete point of reference.
Typical price ranges in French-speaking Switzerland
The ranges below correspond to the estimates our studio produces for comparable projects, based on quotations from French-speaking Switzerland. They cover the on-site survey and initial processing of the point cloud, excluding a complete BIM model unless otherwise stated.
| Type of building | Approximate floor area | Price range | Associated deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villa, survey of external façades only | 150 to 250 m² floor area | From CHF 1,000 | Point cloud |
| Villa or house, interior and exterior | 100 to 250 m² | CHF 1,500 to 2,000 | Point cloud and DWG drawings |
| Small block of flats or flat | 300 to 800 m² | CHF 2,000 to 3,500 | Point cloud, as-built drawings |
| Commercial or mixed-use building | 1,000 to 3,000 m² | CHF 4,000 to 9,000 | BIM model, LOD 200 to 300 |
| Industrial site or technical building | Over 3,000 m² | Fixed-price quote, generally from CHF 10,000 | BIM model LOD 300 to 350, MEP coordination |
These figures are indicative only. A firm quotation will be confirmed following a site visit or analysis of existing plans, as two buildings of the same floor area may require very different numbers of scan stations depending on their internal geometry.
What the price actually includes
The invoiced amount covers a series of operations, not just the time spent on site. The laser survey often represents only part of the work. The bulk of the work then takes place in the office, during the alignment and cleaning of the point cloud.
Next comes the conversion to the final deliverable. For a typical renovation project, this typically involves a LOD 300 BIM model, with a tolerance of a few millimetres depending on the equipment and the scope of the project, delivered in Revit format, accompanied by as-built drawings in DWG format for coordination with the HVAC engineering firm.
A ‘scan-to-BIM’ project generally includes the following deliverables:
- the raw point cloud, in E57, RCP or LGSX formats
- the BIM model at the agreed LOD, in Revit or Archicad
- as-built drawings in DWG format (elevations, sections, floor plans)
- an accuracy report indicating the tolerance achieved
Why two quotes for the same building may differ
The difference rarely comes down to the hourly rate alone. A static scanner, set up at each station, produces greater accuracy than a handheld scanner, but requires more set-ups and therefore more time on site.
Post-processing is just as important, and the level of care taken varies greatly from one firm to another. In the case of a building with dense HVAC systems in an urban area, where the public consultation period is set at just a few weeks, a slapdash processing of the point cloud will come back to haunt you later, during the coordination of technical trades, in the form of rework and undetected conflicts.
How to obtain a reliable estimate
A client preparing a request for a quotation can save time by gathering some information before making initial contact. The approximate floor area of the building, the number of storeys and the intended use of the deliverable (compliance check, preliminary design, planning application dossier) are sufficient for an initial cost estimate.
Existing plans, even if old or incomplete, also help to estimate the complexity of the survey. Their absence does not prevent the scan from being carried out, but it generally increases the processing time, as there is a lack of reference points to cross-check the measurements taken on site.
Without a site visit or detailed plans, a quotation remains a broad estimate, to be refined once more details of the project are known.
Key points to bear in mind before requesting a quote
The cost of a 3D survey depends on the floor area, the complexity of the building, the capture method and the final deliverable requested – whether a raw point cloud or a BIM model at a specific Level of Detail (LOD). The same building can result in very different quotations depending on what is actually delivered.
Specifying these deliverables from the outset in the quote request, whether sent to AB 3D Scanning or any other service provider, remains the most direct way of obtaining a quotation tailored to the actual project.