Knowledge Base

3D Laser Scanning Costs

3D Scan Pricing Insight

We understand that shopping around for 3D Laser Scanning Services can be a daunting task. Company A charges $3,000 to scan a building, and Company B charges $10,000 to do the same thing. If you are new to 3D scanning, this can be especially confusing. We’d like to offer some insight on how 3D scanning costs are formulated as well as some examples of scans projects that we have done and their budgetary ranges.

Pricing Model

Key Components Comprising 3D Laser Scanning Service Costs

3D Laser Scanning

On-site laser scanning is usually priced by the day and varies depending on the complexity of the job and the equipment and personnel that we must bring. The cost is primarily influenced by how large the area is that you are scanning, but also the level of detail needed. Occasionally, customers will request raw scans from the laser scanner, which is the lowest cost option plus travel.

Processing and Registration

After the laser scan is complete, we must transfer the scans to a computer workstation and do things like registration, alignment, and optimization. This could be in preparation for CAD modeling, or you may elect to receive the registered point cloud to do the modeling yourself.

3D Modeling and CAD

This step translates your point cloud into an as-built 3D CAD model in such formats such as Revit, CADworx, AutoCAD, Plant 3D, and Solidworks. Each project has unique modeling requirements, so we must have more information to provide a cost. But without knowing anything else, a rough rule of thumb is that the modeling cost is often equal or more to the scanning cost. Therefore, it is common to allocate half of the project budget to laser scanning and the other half to CAD work.

Travel

Travel costs may be unavoidable depending on the location of your scan. Our team of 3D laser scanning experts will travel nationwide to service your laser scanning needs. We have scan personnel stationed at strategic locations throughout the country to help keep travel distance and costs to a minimum.

Pricing Factors

3D Laser Scanning Cost Variation Factors

When evaluating the key pricing components, there are a number of factors that must be considered that can introduce cost variability. Some of the factors are inherent to the project being quoted, while others depend on the company producing the quote.

Level of Detail The level of detail required in the laser scan and CAD model is the main cost driver aside from coverage area. If your scan requires highly precise scanning to capture small and intricate details, the cost will be increased for both scanning and CAD modeling. For example, when scanning a factory or plant, the time and effort it takes to scan and model all 3/4 inch conduit is much greater than if you only need to see process piping that is 2 inches in diameter and greater.
Accuracy Recent model 3D laser scanners are very accurate. However, if your accuracy requirements go beyond what is typical, special equipment and techniques are needed to achieve your required accuracy, which increases costs.
Estimation Variability Often, 3D Laser Scanning companies must estimate 3D scanning and 3D modeling time based on photos (and not always the best quality photos). This requires the estimator to make a judgment call based on similar prior scan projects. Some scanning projects are so different or unique that it comes down to the estimator’s experience and skill. This can cause significant variation in estimates between vendors. This is also why it’s critically important to work with an experienced 3D Scanning company like Arrival 3D.
Company Size Larger companies that have been doing scanning for a while tend to have some “swag” with their pricing. You can very easily end up paying double what you should with these large companies. At the other end of the spectrum, there are always new businesses trying to break into the industry that are charging low ball prices, or some independent contractors that have very low overhead.
Apples-to-Oranges Comparisons Sometimes companies will quote different types of deliverables. If you are not specific enough with the required output format in your quote request, one company may quote a less sophisticated output type at a much lower cost, giving the impression that they are cheaper when in fact they are not delivering the same type of result.
Specialization There are many types of 3D scanners, and every scanner has certain strengths and weaknesses. For example, some scanners may make scanning a live human an easy task, where with other scanners it would be difficult. There are also differences in software capabilities between scanning companies. Companies with an equipment or software advantage will be in a position to bid lower.
Location The closer the scanning company or scanning team is to your project, the less travel is required, reducing costs.

Insight

3D Laser Scanning Price vs. Quality

The best advice we have is that price isn’t always indicative of the best value, and it may be a risk going with the lowest bidder (unless it is us, of course!).

You don’t want a laser scanning company willing to take shortcuts on quality. Such a company may use old or outdated equipment that has not been calibrated recently, or use unqualified or inexperienced people. You may receive deliverables prepared with unlicensed software. That is why we recommend a clear project scope so that you get what you are expecting and avoid spending a lot of money and time on something that is unusable.

Should you go with the highest bidder to ensure quality? If the same quality work can be obtained for less, then going with the highest bidder may be a waste of money. This is another reason to have a clear project scope.

There are exceptions to every rule of course, but we feel it is best to pay a little bit more to ensure good quality and your satisfaction. If you’re new to 3D scanning, good companies (like Arrival 3D) will help you figure out what is needed to make your project a success at a reasonable cost for the effort required.

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Expert 3D scanning project managers, on-site scanning technicians, and 3D modelers

Our highly experienced scanning, CAD modeling, QA, and management teams ensure high-quality project deliverables arrive on time and on budget.

Arrival 3D is a nationwide 3D laser scanning company. We have deep industry knowledge and seasoned scanning experts around the country.

3D scan deliverables to suit your project / software environment

We deliver pinpoint accurate data of as-built conditions that we use to create 3D models, 2D CAD drawings, point clouds, panoramic imaging, digital twins and more.

Industry-leading service and attention to detail

Using the latest 3D Laser Scanners, we can capture up to 2 million points per second at an accuracy of 1 mm. 3D laser scanners are safe, quiet and environmentally, friendly. The process is completely unintrusive, so you don’t have to shut down your plant or business to get it scanned. Satisfaction Guaranteed! If we fail to deliver the result that we promised, and we can’t make it right, you don’t pay.

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