TL;DR
TL;DR: Scan-to-BIM runs $0.35–$2.00 per square foot all-in for most US commercial projects, driven almost entirely by LOD and discipline count. A 50,000 sq ft office at LOD 300 architecture and structure typically lands between $20,000 and $35,000; the same building at LOD 350 with full MEP can exceed $75,000.
Scan-to-BIM — laser scanning a building and converting the point cloud into a Revit model — costs $0.35–$2.00 per square foot all-in for most US commercial projects in 2026. Of that, scanning is typically $0.05–$0.20 per sq ft and modeling is $0.10–$1.75 per sq ft, with the modeling share driven almost entirely by two decisions: the Level of Development (LOD) and which disciplines get modeled. A 50,000 sq ft office building modeled at LOD 300, architecture and structure only, typically lands between $20,000 and $35,000 total; the same building at LOD 350 with full MEP can exceed $75,000.
This article breaks down modeling cost by LOD and discipline, shows sample project budgets, and explains why two quotes for "a Revit model of the building" can differ by 4x while both being correct.
What does scan-to-BIM cost per square foot?
Scan-to-BIM is two scopes on one invoice: field capture and modeling labor. Scanning prices by field density (covered in detail in How Much Does 3D Laser Scanning Cost in 2026?). Modeling prices by how much a technician must trace, classify, and parameterize from the point cloud.
| Modeling scope | Modeling cost per sq ft | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| LOD 200, architectural shell | $0.10–$0.25 | Generic walls, floors, roofs, openings; approximate geometry for planning and massing |
| LOD 300, architecture + structure | $0.25–$0.55 | Accurate size/location of walls, doors, windows, columns, framing; design-ready baseline |
| LOD 300, all disciplines (arch/struct/MEP) | $0.45–$0.90 | Adds ductwork, piping, conduit, equipment at design-level accuracy |
| LOD 350, MEP-dense, all disciplines | $0.75–$1.75 | Interfaces between systems modeled; hangers, connections; clash-detection ready |
Add scanning ($0.05–$0.20 per sq ft for typical commercial buildings) to get the delivered price. If you already own a usable point cloud, providers will model from supplied RCP or E57 data and you pay the modeling column only.
As with scanning, minimum project fees apply — commonly $2,500–$5,000 for a scan-plus-model engagement — so small buildings price above the per-square-foot math.
Why does LOD 350 MEP cost so much more than LOD 200 shell?
Because modeling cost is labor, and LOD multiplies labor twice.
First, higher LOD means more elements. An LOD 200 shell model of an office floor might contain a few hundred elements — walls, slabs, openings. The same floor at LOD 350 with MEP contains thousands: every duct run, pipe, fitting, VAV box, light fixture, cable tray, and the hangers and connections between them. Element count, not square footage, is what a modeler's hours actually track.
Second, higher LOD means more decisions per element. At LOD 200 a wall is a generic placeholder at approximate location. At LOD 300 its thickness, height, and position must match the point cloud within stated tolerance. At LOD 350 the modeler also resolves how systems interface — where the duct penetrates the wall, how the pipe rack is supported. Each step up roughly doubles modeling effort; going from architectural-only to full-discipline MEP in a dense building can triple it.
This is why a precise LOD specification matters more to your budget than any negotiation. The differences are covered element-by-element in LOD 200 vs 300 vs 400 for Revit models from scans. The practical rule: specify the lowest LOD that supports the decision the model must inform, and specify it per discipline — LOD 300 architecture with LOD 200 structure and no MEP is a legitimate, and much cheaper, spec than "LOD 300 everything."
What other factors move a scan-to-BIM quote?
- Building density. A 1920s mill with exposed systems and out-of-plumb everything models slower than a 2005 office. Historic fabric — ornate trim, vaulted plaster, non-repeating windows — can add 30–60% to architectural modeling.
- Above-ceiling scope. Modeling MEP requires capturing it. If systems hide above lay-in ceilings, tile-lift scanning adds field cost, and the revealed congestion adds modeling cost.
- Custom Revit families. Standard content covers common equipment. Non-standard gear — process equipment, custom air handlers, legacy switchgear — needs purpose-built families, typically $150–$500 per family.
- Tolerance and QA requirements. A model verified against the point cloud at ±1/2 inch with a deviation report costs more than one traced to visual fit. Ask what tolerance the price includes.
- Template and standards compliance. Delivering into your Revit template, worksets, and naming standards adds setup time but saves your team far more downstream.
- Domestic vs. offshore modeling. US-based modeling labor bills at roughly $45–$85 per hour; offshore teams at $18–$35 per hour. Offshore pricing looks attractive; QA burden, revision cycles, and data-security constraints (healthcare, government, data centers) are where the difference gets spent.
What do sample scan-to-BIM budgets look like?
Three worked examples, scanning plus modeling, native RVT deliverable:
| Project | Scope | Approximate budget |
|---|---|---|
| 15,000 sq ft retail bank branch | LOD 300 architectural, no MEP | $6,000–$10,000 |
| 50,000 sq ft office renovation | LOD 300 architecture + structure | $20,000–$35,000 |
| 200,000 sq ft plant, MEP retrofit | LOD 350 all disciplines, above-ceiling capture | $150,000–$300,000 |
Turnaround scales with the same factors as price: the bank branch delivers in 2–3 weeks, the office in 3–5 weeks, the plant in 8–14 weeks, usually phased by area so design work starts before the full model completes.
For context on value rather than cost: on renovation work, a coordinated existing-conditions model routinely pays for itself by preventing a handful of field conflicts. A single RFI-and-rework cycle on a mis-located structural line or congested ceiling can cost more than the entire model — the math GCs run before standardizing on the workflow is laid out in why GCs standardize on scan-to-BIM for renovations.
How should you scope a scan-to-BIM RFQ to get comparable quotes?
Four quotes for "Revit model of our building" will scatter across a 4x range because each provider assumes a different scope. Fix the scope and the quotes converge. Your RFQ should state:
- Area and building type, with floor plans or photos if available.
- LOD per discipline — e.g., LOD 300 architectural, LOD 300 structural, LOD 200 MEP, using AIA/BIMForum LOD definitions.
- Modeling inclusions and exclusions — furniture, casework, site, roof, below-grade, above-ceiling.
- Accuracy tolerance and whether a point-cloud deviation report is required.
- Deliverable formats — RVT version, plus point cloud (RCP/E57) and any 2D extractions (DWG).
- Template requirements — your template and standards, or the provider's.
A fill-in-the-blank version of this is available in the scan-to-BIM scope of work template.