Plenty of generic Scan-to-BIM price guides exist in English — almost none built from a provider's own project data. This one is: this guide explains how the price is formed, why it falls with area, and what pushes it up — with the numbers we use every day, fitted to real 2021–2026 projects in Portugal and Germany.
A large share of a Scan-to-BIM project's cost is fixed: mobilising equipment and crew, registering and cleaning the point cloud, preparing the BIM template and families, setting up quality control. On a 300 m² building those costs outweigh the modelling itself; on 20,000 m² they almost vanish per square metre.
In our real 2021–2026 quotes with known area, the modelling price per m² closely follows a curve proportional to 1/√area, with a floor: however large the building, it never drops below €0.40–0.60/m² — every wall, opening and roof still has to be modelled by someone.
1 · Survey (laser scanning). If no point cloud exists, it has to be created. As a reference we use prices published in a Portuguese public tender for building laser scanning — bands that fall with area, plus a fixed mobilisation:
| Area (m²) | €/m² (ref.) |
|---|---|
| 0 – 750 | € 4.00 |
| 750 – 1,500 | € 3.80 |
| 1,500 – 3,000 | € 3.60 |
| 3,000 – 6,000 | € 3.40 |
| 6,000 – 10,000 | € 3.20 |
| 10,000 – 20,000 | € 3.00 |
+ €750 mobilisation per deployment. Public-tender reference with conventional LiDAR stations (5 min/position) at the top of the band; quality SLAM runs up to ~30% lower (fewer positions); dense interiors — occlusion — need more positions and push toward the top. The final value depends on access, interior/exterior scope and required density.
2 · Modelling (cloud → IFC). Translating the cloud into a structured BIM model is our core work. The price follows the 1/√area curve, multiplied by the building's complexity:
Four typical areas, in the Normal tier and at the reference scope (architecture and exposed structure): modelling appears as a ±25% band (€400 minimum job) and is added to the survey, at public-tender reference prices, for the estimated total. Same numbers as the interactive estimator, where 2D drawings, visible building services and furniture can be added on top:
| Area (m²) | Survey | Modelling (band) | Estimated total | €/m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | € 1,950 | € 688 – € 1,146 | € 2,867 | € 3.06 |
| 1,500 | € 6,450 | € 1,786 – € 2,977 | € 8,832 | € 1.59 |
| 5,000 | € 17,750 | € 3,940 – € 6,566 | € 23,003 | € 1.05 |
| 20,000 | € 60,750 | € 10,879 – € 18,132 | € 75,255 | € 0.73 |
Modelling as a ±25% band (€400 minimum job), LOD 300 / LOA20. Scope moves the curve from 0.75 (architecture only) to 1.45 (with 2D drawings, services and furniture); high complexity multiplies it by 1.35 to 1.8. The survey is a public-tender reference and adds to the total when the capture is ours. Values exclude VAT.
We deliver IFC models (2×3 or 4.3) at LOD 200–350 depending on purpose: refurbishment design, permitting, quantities, or asset management. Accuracy is declared and verifiable — LOA20 contractual, LOA30 target on most elements — and non-conforming elements are flagged via a dedicated PropertySet rather than hidden.
The highest LOD we deliver is 350. LOD 300 describes the visible surfaces captured by the scanner, with no information on construction layers; LOD 350 adds those layers by cross-referencing the point cloud with historical construction drawings, where they exist.
On heritage, add what makes HBIM its own discipline: parametric families for stonework, timber structures and window frames, temporal phases (existing / to demolish / new) and archive-ready classification.
We also produce 2D — plans, sections and elevations from the point cloud, no 3D model. In our real quotes with known area (2021–2026), building 2D sits close to BIM: median €1.20/m² vs €1.30/m².
Against the equivalent 2D — same client, same m² — BIM can run ~25% higher: dearer on paper, but the model stays. And the advantage compounds: 2D sheets derived from the model cost less than a third of from-scratch 2D (€1,290 vs €4,750).
That is the pattern the estimator follows: it covers Scan-to-BIM modelling — the survey adds on when the capture is ours — because that is where price meets value. If you only need 2D sheets, we quote to measure.
Modelling: typically €0.9–4.5/m² up to 1,500 m² and €0.5–1.3/m² above 10,000 m²; complex heritage up to ~€8/m² on small buildings. €400 minimum job — the survey, when it is ours too, adds to this. Use the estimator for your specific case.
Mobilisation, cloud registration, template and QC are fixed costs that dilute over larger areas. Price per m² follows ~1/√area, with a floor at €0.40–0.60/m².
No. If one exists we model from it; if not, we do the laser scanning at prices aligned with public-tender references (€3–4/m² + mobilisation).
We do. Plans, sections and elevations from the point cloud. BIM can run ~25% above the equivalent 2D — but 2D sheets derived from the model cost a fraction of from-scratch 2D, and the model keeps quantities, phasing and facility management. That is why BIM wins on value almost every time.
Yes. IFC 2×3 or 4.3, LOD 200–350, declared accuracy (LOA20 contractual, LOA30 target), non-conforming elements flagged. A direct base for refurbishment design, permitting and quantities.
Depends on area and complexity: a normal 2,000 m² building typically takes 2–4 weeks of modelling after the cloud is registered. The schedule is confirmed in the formal proposal.
No. All values exclude VAT. For business clients in the EU (e.g. Germany) reverse charge applies (the VAT liability shifts to the recipient): we invoice without VAT and the client accounts for it at home. For clients in Portugal, mainland VAT (23%) applies.
Tell us the location, approximate area, intended use of the model and target deadline. Let us know whether you already have a point cloud or need a survey.
If you have drawings, photographs or BIM requirements, mention them in your enquiry. We can agree how to share large files by email.
The proposal defines the elements to model, level of detail, formats, verification criteria and schedule. For heritage work, identify elements requiring bespoke modelling.