How Do I Choose a 3D Laser Scanning Company?

How Do I Choose a 3D Laser Scanning Company?

When it comes to getting as built drawings of a building, nothing is more important than the quality of the data. And in order to gather accurate data about a building on the very first try, you need to rely on a professional solution. Bringing in a 3D laser scanning company will save you time and money in the long run by ensuring your drawings and models are accurate. With so many laser scanning companies out there, how do you choose which one will be best for you?

In this article, we will walk through the 5 "E's" you should look for when choosing a laser scanning company: Expertise, Equipment, Experience, Extension of your Team, and Exceptional Clientele.

1. Expertise

Providing a good experience means expert service from start to finish. The firm you choose should be viewed as much more than just a one-time partner. Rather, look for someone who is interested in building long-term relationships. If you have questions, concerns, or need to meet with someone to change the direction of your project, you should never waver on knowing that your needs will be taken care of. The best laser scanning companies are those with decades of experience meeting the needs of top architects, owners, developers, and general contractors.

Existing Conditions understands the language of buildings and ultimately what an architectural set of drawings should include. We provide an unmatched level of trust and accuracy with every single one of our clients. We have been trusted for over 27 years to provide detailed, reliable, and accurate existing conditions surveys.

Our upper management boasts degrees and backgrounds in the architectural industry, providing us with a strong foundation of knowledge. Moreover, our team includes skilled members with extensive experience in building information modeling. Each member has received training from industry professionals, they have the equipment, experience, and expertise to provide you with the information that you need. They get the job done right on the first try.

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2. Equipment

When you need accurate existing conditions drawings, the last thing you should do is to send someone out with a tape measure and do it manually by hand. This way of collecting measurements is not only outdated, as discussed in this article, but can also come at a cost for your company in more ways than one.

One of your colleagues leaving their desk to go into the field costs you time, especially when that employee may not be best equipped to gather the correct measurements in the first place. Let's face it – tape measures have existed for hundreds of years because they are inexpensive and easy to manufacture, not because they have construction-grade accuracy. While they're great for taking a quick linear measurement, such as an approximate window dimension, they aren't made to measure large spaces. Misapplication of the tool unfortunately invites a significant risk of mistakes in your drawings.

A huge margin for human error such as this can cost you more time if you need to go back and regather that data in the future. Why not get it right the first time with laser scanning? This is why turning to a laser scanning company seems like the right way to go. But how do you ensure that the firm you choose is reliable?

Just about any novice firm can click on an "add to cart" button and add laser scanning to their repertoire of services, provided they have enough capital. However, just because someone has a laser scanner, doesn't mean they know how to get you what you need.

Not every laser scanning company can provide reliable and accurate data. The best firms will be able to tailor their scope of work to meet your specific project's needs. Collecting important measurements and seamlessly integrating that data into a drafting program such as AutoCAD or Revit does not come to a firm as a result of purchasing the right equipment. Just as buying the best hammer in Home Depot doesn't make you a master carpenter. It takes the skill of a qualified, experienced laser scanning company to create a comprehensive, reliable, digital drawing of your building. That firm will take on the difficult measurement activities for you so you can get back to doing what you do best.

Here at Existing Conditions, we spend millions of dollars on the latest 3D laser scanning and aerial drone technology, so you don’t have to. With a deep understanding of the technology and decades of experience, we provide our clients with the most accurate and reliable digital drawings of their buildings.

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3. Experience

Had a bad experience with Reality Capture firms in the past? Existing Conditions has over a 90% client retention rate and more than 25 years of experience in the building industry, we have seen it all. All building types, scope of work, and access conditions. We know how to successfully navigate challenges, and get the job done. Whether you're talking about a lawyer, a doctor, or a laser scanning company, at the end of the day, experience matters. The laser scanning company you choose should know what they are doing, inside and out, top to bottom, from kickoff to delivery.

If you're working with an experienced firm, these factors are non-negotiable. Experience is important because it allows a laser scanning firm to apply past lessons learned on-site to your project. Effectively, by hiring an experienced firm you are able to benefit from the thousands of hours that the firm's team has spent in the field doing the exact type of work that you require of them.

However, budget constrictions in the building industry are a very real thing, and they can sometimes cause professionals to shy away from hiring a more experienced firm. Weighing companies by cost alone is tempting, but ultimately you'll want a laser scanning company that can provide you with the most accurate data. Sometimes, this higher quality service can end up costing you a bit more upfront, but will help you by providing accurate service the first, and only, time. In many cases, the cost of working with an experienced firm is lower than that of working with a newer firm, since the younger company may be baking in their own uncertainty into the project cost.

Ideally, you should look for a laser scanning company that:

• Works off your pre-established template of standards (if applicable)
• Tailors their scope of work to meet your needs
• Has worked on buildings similar to yours with similar objectives
• Communicates with you throughout the entire data-gathering process in case any changes need to be made
• Understands the context of your questions and has answers ready to go

You get the service that you pay for, and in this situation, you want to make sure the drawings you receive are worth your money.

4. Extension of Your Team

When it comes to accurate as-built drawings of your building, relying on a professional solution is paramount to ensuring the quality of the data. By choosing Existing Conditions, you can trust us to be an extension of your team, providing the expertise and support you need throughout the project.

By entrusting us as an extension of your team, you can focus on what you do best while we take care of the intricate measurement and data collection tasks. Our experienced professionals work closely with your architects, engineers, and project managers to ensure that all aspects of the project are executed with precision and attention to detail.

By working together, we seamlessly integrate our services into your project workflow, providing the necessary expertise, equipment, and technology to gather accurate data and create comprehensive digital drawings. Our goal is to make the process as efficient and streamlined as possible, allowing you to stay focused on your core responsibilities.

Clear and constant communication is at the heart of our collaboration. As your dedicated project partner, we serve as your single point of contact, keeping you informed at every stage of the data gathering and drawing creation process. You can trust that we are always ready to address any questions, concerns, or changes that may arise, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.

By trusting us as an extension of your team, you can have confidence in our years of experience working with top architects, owners, developers, and general contractors. Our reputation is built on delivering detailed, reliable, and accurate existing conditions surveys.

We are committed to maintaining the highest level of professionalism and dedication throughout our partnership, as shown by our client testimonials.

“Kurt and his team have truly become partners and an essential part of our digital workflow. Their rapid response combined with their attention to detail starts every project in our office off on the right foot. We can't imagine doing a project without them.” - Michael Samra, Partner, Studio Troika

Let us be your eyes in the field, do what the best architects in the country doing by having us be an extension of their team, their 3D scanning and BIM department. We will handle everything from field crew access to drawing delivery with a single point of contact.

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5. Exceptional Clientele

It is no accident that the best architects, builders, and building owners trust Existing Conditions to document their most valuable assets, and here’s why.

When looking for a 3D laser scanning company, you will want to look for a company that has a great portfolio. But not only that, you'll want to make sure that their clientele is strong as well. Why should the company have a great history of working with the best architects and builders?

A 3D laser scanning company that has a strong history of working with the best-renowned architects and builders demonstrates its ability to meet the highest standards of quality and precision. Top architects and builders often have rigorous requirements and demand accurate data for their projects. By having a successful track record with such esteemed clients, a laser scanning company proves its capability to deliver exceptional results and meet the exacting standards of industry leaders.

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Collaborating with the best architects and builders provides a laser scanning company with invaluable experience and exposure to cutting-edge projects. These collaborations enable the company to stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and industry practices. The knowledge gained from working alongside top professionals allows the company to enhance its expertise, refine its methodologies, and continuously improve the quality of their services. As a client, you can benefit from this accumulated expertise and confidence that comes from a laser scanning company's established relationships with industry leaders.

Opting for a laser scanning company with a proven history of working with top architects and builders is a testament to their expertise, quality, and ability to deliver accurate as-built drawings. It demonstrates their commitment to excellence and their capability to meet the tight deadline requirements of prestigious clients. By choosing a company with an extensive portfolio and clientele, you can have confidence that you are partnering with a trusted and reliable company that will deliver the accurate data you need for your project.

Take the first step towards project excellence and let us be your eyes in the field so you can focus on what you do best. Contact us today to experience the difference with Existing Conditions.