In many ways, renovation projects are unpredictable and have never been certain, unlike in the case of construction projects. Undocumented building changes, undocumented building structures, old mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services, as well as dimensions inconsistencies, are some of the surprises that emerge during the demolition phase. For general contractors, such surprises often translate into delays, change orders, budget variances, and coordination issues.
As opposed to using legacy drawings and manual measurement of the site dimensions, more and more contractors are embracing scan to BIM process before embarking on renovation works. Using reality capture techniques to document existing conditions and creating intelligent BIM models based on the point clouds allows for a degree of certainty that other documentation processes do not offer. As renovations keep expanding in USA, UK, Europe and Australia, reality capture becomes a necessity, not an option.
The Hidden Cost of Incomplete Existing Conditions
Many renovation projects begin with drawings that are years or even decades old. During a building’s lifecycle, walls are relocated, services are rerouted, equipment is replaced, and structural modifications are made without always updating the original documentation.
When design teams work from inaccurate information, problems appear long before construction is complete. Structural beams may conflict with new ductwork, ceiling voids may prove too small for modern mechanical systems, and floor levels may vary more than expected. These issues often surface only after construction has started, when corrective action becomes significantly more expensive.
General contractors understand that every unforeseen condition discovered on-site affects productivity. Crews wait for revised drawings, subcontractors adjust installation sequences, procurement schedules change, and project costs escalate.
Why Reality Capture Changes Renovation Planning
Laser scanning produces millions of highly accurate measurements in just a few hours. The contracting team receives an overall digital model of the current building, rather than physically measuring each room or conducting a partial survey.
Next, the data is converted to building models using a Point Cloud-to-BIM process.
Such a digital base allows for making decisions prior to any demolition or construction works. Designers have reliable dimensions, engineers have a better coordination process, and contractors are able to plan installations more confidently.
Instead of responding to issues in the field, the team starts to foresee any possible problems even during the design development stage.
Coordination Starts with Precise Scan to BIM Models
Coordination issues are seldom due to bad models. The problem arises due to wrong existing conditions.
When consultants create Point cloud to BIM solutions based on outdated drawings, properly coordinated projects may still run into issues once the work starts because of reality capture.
With Scan to Revit, architects and engineers can effectively place walls, columns, beams, ceilings, mechanical systems, and service routing in the BIM model. It leads to proper multi-disciplinary coordination throughout the project’s development process.
General contractors get the following benefits:
- Earlier conflict discovery
- More accurate quantities estimation
- Greater prefabrication possibilities
- Better installation sequencing
- Less need for modifications on-site
- Decrease in reworks in construction
Rather than resolving issues in the field, contractors solve them digitally, where changes take less time and money.
Renovation Projects Benefit More Than New Construction
Reality capture provides benefits to numerous kinds of projects, yet it proves most beneficial when it comes to renovation, adaptive reuse, and historic preservation projects.
Existing hospitals, hotels, colleges, airports, factories, offices, and residential communities usually have had many modifications done over the years without any records. The mechanical room becomes more cluttered, the structure gets altered, and the utilities get rearranged at every cycle of renovations.
Creating an accurate Point Cloud to 3D Model helps see all those challenges ahead of the actual planning of construction.
For general contractors, this ensures better constructability studies while mitigating uncertainties during the bidding and implementation processes. Subcontractors are able to see the installation challenges early on and make their fabrication choices accordingly.
Supporting Better Preconstruction Decisions
Preconstruction in today’s world is not just about cost estimation. The contractors are supposed to identify risk factors, verify design assumptions, plan optimum construction sequencing, and aid owners in decision making prior to construction.
3D design models created via Point Cloud to BIM will provide accurate information for planning in various aspects of projects.
BIM models will help in:
- Construction Phasing
- Planning of temporary works
- Equipment access analysis
- Demolition planning
- Logistics Planning
- Quantification
- Coordination among trades
- Safety analysis on site
Accurate information at an early stage of the project helps reduce risks in the procurement phase and increases communication among owners, consultants, and construction teams.
The Growing Role of Digital Construction
More than ever before, construction owners require predictability in terms of schedule, budget control, and increased documentation. Digital delivery solutions have become crucial in meeting these requirements.
Reality capture fits seamlessly with BIM coordination, Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), Digital Twins, asset management systems, and facility management systems.
Its value lies not only in aiding construction processes but also in creating accurate as-built models that will serve as valuable digital assets well beyond the end of the construction process.
As digital construction becomes more prevalent, it often makes sense for contractors to be equipped with reliable building information from the very beginning of the project.9
Looking Ahead
It is anticipated that renovation will continue to be a significant portion of the global construction sector because there is increasing focus on modernization, sustainability, and reuse as opposed to redevelopment. In such circumstances, the need for accurate as-built conditions is becoming as essential as having a good design.
To general contractors, the adoption of Scan-to-BIM, scan- to-cad, and scan-to-Revit is not about the application of new technologies but about minimizing risk and uncertainties in projects. Having accurate information at the start of the projects improves coordination and minimizes surprises when it comes to constructing the projects.
With continuous development of reality capture with respect to BIM and digital construction techniques, contractors who begin renovations with accurate building information will have the advantage of managing risks and improving cooperation within the project.
