Point Cloud Survey Surveyors UK and London Guide
Point cloud survey surveyors capture buildings as 3D point datasets. Here is what they do and how to choose one.
What Point Cloud Surveyors Deliver
| Format | Use | File Size | | --- | --- | --- | | E57 | Universal format | Large | | RCP/RCS | AutoCAD, Recap | Medium | | LAS | GIS applications | Medium | | PTS | Simple viewing | Small | | XYZ | Basic analysis | Small |
Point Cloud Accuracy
| Scanner Type | Relative Accuracy | Absolute Accuracy | | --- | --- | --- | | Terrestrial (FARO) | ±1mm | ±2mm | | SLAM (FJD Trion P1) | ±15mm | ±20mm | | Mobile (BLK2GO) | ±10mm | ±15mm | | Drone LiDAR | ±30mm | ±50mm |
Choosing a Point Cloud Surveyor
| Factor | What to Check | | --- | --- | | Scanner type | FARO, Leica, Trimble, FJD | | Registration | Cloud-to-cloud accuracy | | Delivery format | RCP, E57, LAS | | Drawings from scan | DWG option | | BIM delivery | Revit / IFC |
How to Choose a Point Cloud Surveyor
Choosing a point cloud surveyor requires understanding the delivery formats, the accuracy bands, and the five factors for choosing a point cloud surveyor. The five point cloud delivery formats and their use and file size are E57 (the universal format for point cloud data, suitable for any downstream software, typically large file size, with the typical project producing 1 to 50 GB of point cloud data depending on the property size and the scan resolution), RCP/RCS (the AutoCAD and Recap format, suitable for downstream CAD production, typically medium file size, with the typical project producing 0.5 to 25 GB of point cloud data), LAS (the GIS applications format, suitable for downstream GIS analysis, typically medium file size), PTS (the simple viewing format, suitable for quick viewing of the point cloud, typically small file size), and XYZ (the basic analysis format, suitable for downstream analysis scripts, typically small file size). The four point cloud accuracy bands by scanner type are terrestrial FARO (relative accuracy plus or minus 1 mm, absolute accuracy plus or minus 2 mm, suitable for the highest accuracy work including heritage and complex geometry), SLAM FJD Trion P1 (relative accuracy plus or minus 15 mm, absolute accuracy plus or minus 20 mm, suitable for fast scanning in occupied spaces), mobile BLK2GO (relative accuracy plus or minus 10 mm, absolute accuracy plus or minus 15 mm, suitable for fast scanning in large open spaces), and drone LiDAR (relative accuracy plus or minus 30 mm, absolute accuracy plus or minus 50 mm, suitable for large open sites and corridor mapping). The five factors for choosing a point cloud surveyor are scanner type (FARO, Leica, Trimble, FJD, with each having different accuracy bands and use cases), registration (the cloud-to-cloud accuracy, which should be agreed before commissioning, with the typical accuracy of plus or minus 2 to 5 mm for a well-registered point cloud), delivery format (the format, with E57 as the universal format, RCP for AutoCAD, and LAS for GIS), drawings from scan (the DWG option for the derived CAD drawings, with the level of detail and the scale), and BIM delivery (the Revit or IFC option for the derived BIM model, with the LOD and the level of detail). The cost bands are terrestrial FARO (1,000 to 3,000 pounds ex VAT), SLAM FJD Trion P1 (300 to 1,500 pounds ex VAT), mobile BLK2GO (800 to 2,000 pounds ex VAT), and drone LiDAR (1,500 to 5,000 pounds ex VAT). The OS National Grid with Ordnance Datum Newlyn heights is the UK convention. A signed accuracy statement is the QA evidence for downstream design, BIM coordination, and construction use, and all icelabz point cloud surveys are issued under the RICS Measured Surveys of Land, Buildings and Utilities standard (3rd edition).