3D Laser Scanning Scan to BIM As-builts

Outdated drawings, missing dimensions, and field assumptions kill schedules and budgets. OAR’s 3D Laser Scanning service captures existing conditions as they truly are: precise, verified, and delivered in whatever format your team needs to make confident decisions.

OAR provides 3D Laser Scanning, Scan to BIM, and as-built documentation for construction, industrial facilities, and infrastructure projects. Based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, we serve the Northeast: Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. We also support projects nationwide for BIM and digital delivery work.

WHY IT MATTERS

Accurate data, delivered fast. So your team builds from what's actually there

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Fewer Chargebacks, Less Rework

OAR’s scanning services reduce: Change orders Field conflicts Budget surprises. When your team works from accurate conditions drawings generated by OAR: RFIs decrease Suppliers quote from real measurements Less surprises derail schedules
A single unverified elevation thwarted an otherwise well-planned mechanical room install. The fabricator built to drawings, the hanger crew shows up, and nothing fits. One scan of that space would have caught it. That is the math every project manager eventually does, sometimes one change order too late.
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Move Faster at Every Phase

OAR’s reality capture and scanning accelerate and informs all stages of design, construction, and closeout: Scans of existing structures save weeks of field visits Contractors can use the scans to bid more accurately Scans help trades coordinate and fabricate to field conditions Reduce redundant site visits for everyone One authoritative document of truth on the project means better quality
There is a version of every project where someone gets sent back to site to remeasure a ceiling height because nobody trusts the drawings. Fabrication holds. The install crew sits idle. We have watched that sequence enough times to know that the fastest thing you can do on a project is capture it right the first time.
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One Model, Every Stakeholder on the Same Page

Unforeseen field conditions cause delays. But so does miscommunication. When every trade, every engineer, and every owner’s rep work from the same verified dataset, conflicts get resolved on screen instead of in the field. Responsibilities are clear. Decisions are documented. The record builds itself.
We have learned the lesson of what happens when you hand over deliverables and walk away. You get a call a year later asking why something does not fit. That usually is not a data problem. It is a communication problem. The scan was accurate, but it lived on one person's hard drive. OAR goes beyond the scan and delivery to help you harness your data for better decision making and outcomes.
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Better ROI Across the Whole Project

OAR doesn’t deliver your data and walk away... we understand that a scan supports: Design Coordination Fabrication Deviation analysis Progress monitoring Closeout documentation So that even if this is your first time using scanning or you think you can get more out of this helpful technology, OAR is your partner to help you identify and maximize ROI
Most point clouds get used once and filed. That is not a technology problem. It is a delivery problem. We structure every dataset so it stays useful across phases, teams, and timelines without needing to go back to site and capture it again. One scan or sequenced scanning, working across the full life of the project. OAR is more than a scanning partner, we also provide BIM/VDC and digital delivery services and consulting of which scanning is often an essential part.
Understanding the work

What is 3D Laser Scanning?

3D laser scanning captures millions of precise measurements of existing buildings, facilities, or infrastructure using LiDAR technology. The output is a point cloud: a dense, spatially accurate 3D dataset that can be measured, navigated, and converted into Revit models or CAD drawings for design coordination, fabrication, and facility management.

Scan to BIM converts point cloud data into intelligent Building Information Models. OAR develops Revit models at LOD 100-350, modeling architectural, structural, MEP, and fire protection systems from laser scan data. The result is a construction-ready model for coordination, renovation, and retrofit projects.

Our laser scanners emit rapid pulses that measure distances to surfaces, capturing spatial data at millions of points per second. The result is a high-density point cloud with millimeter-level accuracy, providing a complete 3D record of existing conditions, far more accurate and comprehensive than traditional surveying methods.

Is this right for your project?

You need 3D Laser Scanning when...

The building has been modified, expanded, or neglected since the last as-builts were drawn. You are designing against assumptions. We capture what is actually there so your team can design and coordinate from verified reality.

Send Us a Message →

Your architects, engineers, or designers need accurate 3D documentation before they can start, especially in retrofit, renovation, or expansion projects. We deliver point clouds and models in the format your team uses.

Send Us a Message →

Steel, mechanical, or specialty components need to be shop-fabricated to precise field dimensions. Guessing means rework. Our Scan to BIM models give fabricators the verified geometry they need before a single piece is cut.

See how scan data powers coordination →

Building owners, facility managers, or insurers need accurate records of what is built, not what was designed twenty years ago. We deliver as-built documentation in the format your operations team can use.

Send Us a Message →

When designers, contractors, and owners all need to see the same building, a shared point cloud or model eliminates conflicting interpretations. We host your data in Cintoo Cloud or Autodesk Construction Cloud so every stakeholder has access.

Send Us a Message →

In industrial facilities, MRFs, or power plants where HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection must all fit within tight spaces, laser scanning provides the verified baseline for 3D MEP coordination and clash detection.

Explore BIM Coordination & Virtual Construction →

What you get

From field conditions to usable data. In your format, on your timeline.

OAR delivers 3D Laser Scanning data in multiple formats, from raw point clouds to construction-ready Revit models. Choose the deliverable that matches your project workflow.

01

3D Point Clouds

The raw truth of your facility.

3D Point Clouds

  • High-density, full-color LiDAR scan data
  • Navigable, measurable, and shareable across your project team
  • Formats: .RCP,. RCS,. E57,. LAS,. PTS
  • Compatible with Revit, Navisworks, AutoCAD, and most BIM platforms

Best for: Any project needing verified existing conditions. The starting point for Scan to BIM, coordination, and fabrication.

02

Scan to BIM Revit Models

Construction-ready models built from scan data.

Scan to BIM Revit Models

  • LOD 100-350 Revit models: architectural, structural, MEP, fire protection
  • Built from point cloud data, not design intent
  • Ready for BIM coordination and clash detection workflows
  • Format: RVT (native Revit)

Best for: Retrofit and renovation projects. Coordination programs requiring verified existing conditions. Fabrication-ready shop drawing production.

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As-Built CAD Drawings

2D documentation from 3D scan data.

As-Built CAD Drawings

  • Plans, sections, elevations, and details extracted from scan data or Revit models
  • For teams that need 2D documentation alongside 3D
  • Format: .DWG (AutoCAD)

Best for: Design teams working in 2D. Permit sets. Facility documentation and compliance records.

04

Point Cloud Meshes

Lightweight 3D surface models for visualization.

Point Cloud Meshes

  • Smaller file sizes than raw point clouds
  • Accessible to non-technical stakeholders
  • Formats: .OBJ, .FBX

Best for: Client presentations, planning reviews, and stakeholder walkthroughs where full point cloud access is not required.

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Field Verification & Deviation Analysis

Know exactly where reality diverges from design intent.

Field Verification & Deviation Analysis

  • Point cloud compared against design intent models or fabrication drawings
  • Deviations identified, quantified, and documented
  • Deliverable: deviation report or interactive web portal with color-mapped results

Best for: Steel fabricators verifying installed work. General contractors checking field conditions against design. Any team that needs to confirm what was built matches what was designed.

Our process

Field to deliverable. No black box.

01

Understand the purpose

1 consultation call

Before we bring equipment on site, we need to know what you are going to do with the data. A scan for shop fabrication is scoped differently than a scan for facility documentation. We start by understanding your project goals, accuracy requirements, and downstream workflow.

02

Plan and mobilize

1 to 3 days on-site

We plan field logistics including access, safety, scan coverage, and schedule, then deploy the right equipment. LiDAR, SLAM, photogrammetry, or a combination. We verify coverage and calibration on-site before we leave.

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Process and build

3 to 5 business days for point clouds. Revit models are scope dependent

Raw scan data is registered, cleaned, and QA checked. Then we build your deliverables: Revit models, CAD drawings, meshes, hosted environments. Every model is checked against the source data before delivery.

04

Deliver and stay available

Ongoing

We review deliverables with you, make revisions, and hand off finals in your preferred format and platform. If your project evolves and you need updates, additional views, or coordination support, we are already fluent in your facility.

Work we've done

3D Laser Scanning in the field.

Related projects

Life Sciences Campus Renovation: 350 Clashes Resolved Before Mobilization — $450K in Avoided Rework 

Midwest MRF Documentation: LOD 300 As-Built Model of a 100,000 SF Active Recycling Facility 

Michigan MRF: Lifecycle BIM Coordination from Concept to Commissioning 

What teams say

From the field

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Our laser scanners capture measurements with accuracy of plus or minus 3 to 5mm depending on equipment and range. Point cloud registration accuracy is verified against control points before processing. For most construction and industrial applications, this level of precision eliminates field conflicts and fabrication errors.

Field scanning typically takes 1 to 3 days depending on facility size and complexity. Point cloud processing takes 3 to 5 business days. Scan to BIM Revit models take 2 to 4 weeks depending on LOD requirements and project scope.

A point cloud is raw scan data: millions of measured points showing what exists. A Revit model is a 3D model built from that scan data, with parametric building components that can be coordinated, quantified, and used for construction and operations. Point clouds are best for visualization and measurements. Revit models are required for BIM coordination and fabrication.

OAR uses professional-grade LiDAR scanners (Leica, Faro, Trimble) for high-accuracy building interiors, SLAM-based systems for rapid capture in complex environments, and drone-based photogrammetry for large outdoor sites. Equipment selection depends on project accuracy requirements, site conditions, and timeline.

Point clouds: .RCP, .RCS, .E57, .LAS, .PTS. Revit models: .RVT. CAD drawings: .DWG. Meshes: .OBJ, .FBX. Hosted environments: Cintoo Cloud, Autodesk Construction Cloud.

We scan both. Interior spaces use tripod-based LiDAR for maximum accuracy. Exterior sites use SLAM systems or drone-based systems depending on size and terrain. We have captured everything from cramped mechanical rooms to multi-acre industrial facilities.

Yes. OAR delivers as-built point clouds, 3D Revit models, and 2D plans, sections, and elevation views in the format your project requires.

Cost depends on facility size, complexity, access constraints, and deliverable requirements. Send us a message with your project details and we will put together an accurate proposal.

General Contractors & Construction Managers: verified existing conditions before design, fabrication, or retrofit. Eliminates field surprises and protects your schedule.

MEP Subcontractors: scan data as the foundation for fabrication and coordination. Your assemblies fit because the geometry was verified before shop drawings were produced.

Owners & Facility Managers: accurate as-built documentation for operations, compliance, and future capital planning. One source of truth that stays useful after the project closes.

Engineering & Environmental Firms: existing conditions documentation to support design, analysis, and reporting without repeated site visits.

Where we work

Service areas

Field work in the Northeast. BIM and digital delivery anywhere.

Regional

3D Laser Scanning │ Scan to BIM │ As-builts

Connecticut · Massachusetts · Maine · New Hampshire · New York · Rhode Island · Vermont

We mobilize across the Northeast for site capture, existing conditions, and as-built documentation. We work in occupied facilities, active industrial sites, and tight shutdown windows. Scan-to-delivery in 2 to 3 weeks.

Working on a project outside the Northeast? Let’s talk. We are always open to figuring out how to make coverage work when the project calls for it.

What happens after the scan?

For most of our clients, laser scanning is where the project starts, not where it ends.

Once we have captured your facility, our BIM Coordination & Virtual Construction team can resolve conflicts in 3D before your crew arrives on site. And if you are building a long-term scanning and BIM capability, our Digital Delivery & Implementation team can design the systems and training to make it repeatable.

Our technology

Professional-grade laser scanning technology.

LiDAR Scanners

Leica RTC360, Faro Focus, Trimble TX series for high-accuracy building capture (plus or minus 3 to 5mm accuracy)

SLAM Systems

GeoSLAM, NavVis for rapid capture in complex or confined environments

Photogrammetry

Drone-based capture for large outdoor sites and infrastructure

Processing Software

Autodesk ReCap, Leica Cyclone, Faro Scene for point cloud processing

BIM Platforms

Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, BIM 360, Autodesk Construction Cloud

Hosted Environments

Cintoo Cloud, Autodesk Platform Services for web-based point cloud access

Ready to start?

Tell us what you’re working on.