One of the most common questions we hear at Laser Scan Chicago is: "How long will the laser scanning take?" It's a fair question: understanding the timeline helps you plan your project, coordinate site access, and set realistic expectations with your team. The honest answer is that it depends on several key factors, but we can give you a clear breakdown of what drives scan time and what typical projects look like from start to finish.
Factors That Affect Laser Scanning Time
Building Size
The square footage of a space is the most obvious driver of scan time. A compact retail space might take a couple of hours, while a sprawling industrial facility could require multiple days of fieldwork. As a rough rule, a scanner captures a sphere of detail around each position, so larger buildings simply require more positions to achieve complete coverage.
Complexity and Obstructions
A wide-open warehouse scans much faster than a hospital corridor packed with equipment, pipes, and partitions. Complexity matters as much as raw size. Tight mechanical rooms, layered ceiling systems, and cluttered interiors all require additional scan positions to eliminate shadows and blind spots. Historic buildings with ornate details or irregular geometry also take longer than modern, open-plan structures.
Number of Scan Positions
Each scan position takes roughly 2–5 minutes to complete, depending on the scanner settings and desired point density. But setup, target placement, and moving between positions adds time. In practice, a skilled crew can complete 15–30 scan positions per hour in a clean, accessible environment. Dense or restricted spaces may reduce that rate significantly.
Site Conditions and Access
Occupied buildings, restricted access floors, security checkpoints, and elevator wait times all add to the clock. Projects that require after-hours or weekend access: to avoid disrupting tenants or operations: may stretch the schedule even if the scan itself is fast.
Typical Timelines by Project Size
Small Projects (Under 5,000 sq ft)
A single-floor office suite, a small restaurant, or a residential unit typically takes 2–4 hours of field time. These projects are straightforward, require fewer scan positions, and can often be completed in a single visit with a two-person crew.
Medium Projects (5,000–50,000 sq ft)
Mid-size commercial spaces, multi-floor office buildings, and light industrial facilities generally require 1–2 full days of fieldwork. Coordination increases: multiple floors, stairwells, mechanical rooms, and exterior areas all need coverage.
Large Projects (50,000+ sq ft)
Large-scale facilities such as hospitals, warehouses, campuses, or multi-building complexes can take 3–10 days or more of field scanning. These projects are often phased, with scanning teams working section by section to ensure complete and consistent data capture.
Field Time vs. Processing Time
It's important to distinguish between time spent on site and total project turnaround. The field scan is just the first step. After data collection, the point cloud must be registered (stitched together from all scan positions), cleaned, and delivered in the requested format: whether that's a raw point cloud, a BIM model, or 2D drawings.
As a general guideline:
- Registration and QC: Typically 1–2 days for small-to-medium projects
- BIM modeling or CAD drafting: Adds several days to weeks, depending on scope and level of detail
- Final deliverable review: 1–3 business days
Total project timelines: from first scan to final deliverable: commonly run 1–3 weeks for most commercial projects. Expedited turnaround is often available when schedules are tight.
How to Reduce Scan Time
A few practical steps can help keep your project on schedule:
- Clear the site ahead of time. Removing portable equipment, furniture, and storage from scan areas reduces obstructions and speeds up data capture.
- Provide complete building access. Coordinating all keys, codes, and escorts in advance eliminates downtime on the day of scanning.
- Define scope clearly. Knowing exactly which areas need to be scanned: and which don't: prevents unnecessary coverage and revision.
- Schedule during off-hours. Scanning an unoccupied space is faster and produces cleaner data than working around active operations.
Get a Project-Specific Estimate
Every project is different, and the best way to understand your timeline is to talk through the specifics. Laser Scan Chicago provides detailed project assessments before mobilizing, so you know exactly what to expect before fieldwork begins. Contact us to discuss your building and get a realistic scan schedule tailored to your needs.