FAQ

ARC is made up of a team of licensed architects and highly-qualified technicians who know first-hand how important accuracy is for any building project. Unlike many other scan to BIM companies, ARC was an early adopter of 3D laser scanning and the scan to BIM process, innovating scan to BIM workflows before laser scan data could even be brought into BIM.

Our highly-experienced team can produce a scan to BIM model quickly, accurately, and to spec that will be invaluable to your project whether you are planning, designing, building, or managing operations.

This technology was made for 3D laser scanning buildings, worksites and other areas that are unsafe for human surveyors. We offer a range of scanners, cameras, and other mapping technology that prioritizes worksite safety.

Using the best laser scanning technology, ARC will scan your site in its as-built condition to create a 3D building scan, giving you the most accurate building model for your project.

Old blueprints and record drawings can help with initial planning, but nothing will give you the full picture like 3D scanning for architecture. Property managers, owners, contractors, architecture firms, and designers will be able to budget and plan better with accurate and validated information that only a 3D scanning for architecture as-built can provide.

A LiDAR survey uses laser pulses to capture precise 3D site data, helping construction teams detect structural issues, measure elevations with millimeter accuracy, and plan efficiently. Its high accuracy improves design alignment, reduces errors, and enhances overall project execution.

Laser scanning provides accurate, hands-free building documentation that promotes the preservation of historical buildings without invasive or damaging techniques. The resulting data can create a precise record of a building’s specifications whether for renovation or historical registration.

ARC is a full-service building documentation company. Our services include photo imagery, photogrammetry, and laser scanning that can fulfill historical survey requirements, create a working HBIM, or support a petition of historical registration.

ARC utilizes the latest laser technologies and best practice workflows to perform its measurements. The manufacturer’s specifications for the most common laser scanners we use quote an accuracy of 2mm at 10m. Generally, the higher the accuracy requirements the higher the cost. ARC utilizes the U.S. Institute of Building Documentation Level of Accuracy (LOA) Specification. The two most commonly prescribed LOA’s are LOA20 and LOA30. The respective tolerance ranges for these LOAs are 5/8” to 2” and ¼” to 5/8”.

ARC provides on-site as-built services anywhere in the United States and can offer referrals to providers who are able to perform work internationally.

There are a number of factors that go into determining the cost to laser scan and document a building. First, we must determine the intent of what you are trying to accomplish with the scan. We then need to understand what type of building it is, how complex the building’s layout is and are there any operational constraints to operating within the space to be documented. Finally, we need to know what type of deliverables are needed (2D, 3D, CAD, BIM, point cloud, etc.).

More often than not, we can have our team on site faster than you can authorize us and coordinate access. While this isn’t always the case, it happens quite often.

Measured accuracy refers to the overall accuracy of a comprehensive set of measurements. This accuracy accounts for instrument error, operator error, error in measuring technique, random error and least count error. For laser scanning we often consider the accuracy of a registered point cloud the measured accuracy. To then take a point cloud and represent those measured points as either CAD line work or modeled elements in a BIM more error will be introduced. The accuracy of the represented lines or model elements is considered to be the represented accuracy.

This will vary depending on how quickly we can gain access to the space, what the size and complexity of the space is, are there any operational constraints and what the end deliverables are.

ARC responds to all emails and phone calls within 24 hours. We also use Zoom and Microsoft Teams to hold virtual meetings.

For our various types of services, we have developed our own QA-QC (Quality Analysis Quality Control) method of checking all our work to ensure that you have the most accurate deliverable.

We are based in Southern California in the United States. We communicate using the English language and are well educated to understand American building codes. Certain staff at ARC are fluent in both English and Spanish.

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We are in the Pacific time zone.

Half of our staff has been with ARC for 10+ years. Our professionals are more than qualified to take on your projects during demanding situations.

ARC has continued to grow its income and client network every single year since 1997. For 25 years we have developed our company into one that helps others to build itself.

We have two senior level licensed Architects who oversee all operations.

Before you hire ARC, we send you an SOQ with our qualifications, which includes examples of other projects we have completed similar to yours. We do this to demonstrate our abilities.

3D as-built models provide a comprehensive visual representation of a structure as it was actually built. It has been validated and represents the true existing conditions. On the other hand, traditional 2D record drawings typically present information in a flat 2D manner limiting their usefulness. More importantly, record drawings are rarely updated to represent changes that occurred during and after construction leaving their accuracy questionable. Relying on unvalidated information can be very risky.

Scan-to-BIM (Building Information Modeling) is the process that uses 3D laser scanning (LiDAR) to quickly and accurately capture existing conditions, which are then represented using BIM modelling techniques to create a 3D as-built model.

BIM modeling offers architects numerous advantages, including improved project visualization, and streamlined workflows that enhance data sharing and team collaboration. This results in fewer errors, efficient project management, and ultimately leads to better cost estimates and higher-quality architectural projects.

Retail as-built service providers often face challenges while operating during business hours, navigating crowded spaces, and ensuring minimal disruption to customers. Typically, this can be overcome by scheduling work to be performed outside of normal hours of operation..

Gaining access to areas when students are present can be challenging often requiring as-builts to be scheduled off-hours. However, One advantage of obtaining a campus as-built survey is having quick access to existing conditions data without having to contend with access issues in the future. In addition, having accurate data will help with agency compliance requirements.

Industrial as built documentation is often used during the due diligence period when an owner is evaluating whether to proceed with a building purchase. Information must be gathered quickly as the due diligence periods are often as short as 30 days. Cutting edge technologies such as 3D laser scanning, and advanced photo imagery can play a pivotal role in obtaining information in time to make an informed decision.

Commonly used technologies for conducting an accurate existing conditions survey include terrestrial laser scanning, advanced 3D imaging, and drone photogrammetry. These technologies produce high-resolution point clouds that can be used to create accurate 3D models for precise measurement and analysis.

As-built services are documentation and verification services often used for renovation projects, capturing deviations from original design intent plans. They help ensure legal compliance, streamline maintenance and repairs, and improve the resale value of properties.

Campus as-built services use documentation techniques, technology and process to capture and represent building data. This assists in space planning, operations, maintenance, and planning renovations by providing up-to-date and precise information.