Renovating an existing building often starts with a surprisingly basic problem: nobody really knows its exact geometry.
The available drawings may be decades old. Walls have been moved, roofs modified, extensions added and installations changed. Some plans survive only as poorly scanned PDFs. In other cases, reliable documentation simply does not exist anymore.
But renovation planning requires exactly the opposite: accurate measurements and a reliable picture of what is actually there.
At Adlerwind, we combine drone-based LiDAR with terrestrial 3D laser scanning to capture both the exterior and interior of existing buildings.
The drone covers roofs, façades and areas that are difficult or impossible to reach from the ground. Terrestrial scanners capture interiors and accessible parts of the building in high detail.
We then combine these datasets into a single digital representation that can be used for CAD, Scan-to-BIM, quantity take-offs and renovation planning.
Why we combine two technologies
Terrestrial laser scanners are extremely effective inside buildings and around accessible façades. They can capture millions of measurement points within a short period of time and provide a highly detailed representation of existing geometry.
But they have one very simple physical limitation:
They can only measure what they can see.
On an existing building, this often leaves gaps exactly where renovation planners need information: roof surfaces, dormers, chimneys, courtyards, upper façade sections and other difficult-to-access areas.
This is where the drone comes in.
Using LiDAR and high-resolution imaging, we can capture the building from perspectives that are not available from the ground.
This allows us to document and measure:
- roof surfaces, slopes and structures,
- dormers, chimneys and drainage systems,
- difficult-to-access façade areas,
- courtyards and extensions,
- surrounding terrain and immediate site conditions.
In many cases, this can be done before scaffolding is installed and without anyone having to access the roof.
The aerial and terrestrial datasets are then combined into one coordinated point cloud.
The result is a much more complete picture of the existing building than either technology could usually provide on its own.
What the planner actually receives
Our goal is not simply to produce the largest possible point cloud.
A few hundred million measurement points may look impressive on a technical specification sheet, but they are not particularly useful if the architect first has to turn them into something they can work with.
So we design the deliverables around the next stage of the project.
Depending on the requirements, we can provide:
Georeferenced point clouds for further processing and documentation.
2D as-built drawings, including floor plans, sections and elevations.
3D and BIM as-built models for architectural and technical planning.
Roof and façade measurements for estimating and material planning.
Orthophotos and GeoTIFFs for scaled documentation and GIS workflows.
Typical delivery formats include IFC, Revit (.rvt), DWG, E57, GeoTIFF and PDF.
The required level of detail is agreed before the project starts. A model for an early feasibility study does not need the same level of detail as one intended for detailed construction planning.
From site visit to BIM model
1. We first determine what you actually need
Before scanning anything, we discuss the building and what the data will be used for.
Is the project about a roof renovation? Energy retrofit? Complete as-built documentation? Quantity take-off? Tendering? BIM?
The answer determines what needs to be captured and what level of accuracy makes sense.
We then plan scanner positions, the UAV operation and any necessary regulatory approvals.
2. We capture the building
Where site conditions allow, drone surveying and terrestrial laser scanning can be completed during the same site visit.
Exterior scanning is contactless. For occupied buildings, interior scanning is coordinated in advance with the client, property manager or occupants.
For aerial surveys, we use professional RTK drones and LiDAR sensors. Terrestrial 3D laser scanners complement the aerial data by capturing areas that cannot be surveyed effectively from above.
3. We bring the datasets together
After the survey, individual scans are registered, checked and cleaned.
Aerial and terrestrial measurements are combined within a common coordinate system. Where required, the project can be georeferenced to the official ETRS89/UTM coordinate system.
The result is a consistent point cloud representing the captured building.
4. Measurement data becomes planning data
Our work does not necessarily stop with the point cloud.
Depending on the project, we use it to produce floor plans, sections, elevations, area calculations or an as-built BIM model at the agreed level of detail.
The client therefore receives more than raw survey data. They receive the information needed for the next stage of planning.
Where this approach is particularly useful
Roof renovation
Complex roofs are difficult to measure reliably from the ground.
A drone can capture roof surfaces, slopes, dormers, chimneys and other structures, often without requiring roof access beforehand.
This provides a reliable basis for tendering, estimating and material planning.
Façade renovation and insulation
Façade surfaces and relevant geometry can be derived from the point cloud.
This supports insulation design, quantity take-offs and preparation of façade works while ensuring that calculations are based on the building that actually exists rather than a drawing that may be decades out of date.
Energy renovation
Energy calculations depend on reliable building geometry.
A digitally captured as-built model can provide the geometric basis for subsequent energy and retrofit planning and simplify collaboration between energy consultants, architects and engineers.
Where useful, the geometric survey can also be supplemented with thermal data.
Quantity take-offs
A significant amount of uncertainty in renovation projects comes from differences between drawings and reality.
Current as-built data makes it possible to calculate areas, lengths and volumes from the actual building geometry rather than estimates.
That creates a stronger basis for tendering and cost calculations.
Condition documentation
The building can also be documented in detail before construction work begins.
This creates a traceable digital record of the existing condition that can be referenced during and after the renovation.
Professional drone operations involve more than owning a drone
On buildings in dense urban areas, collecting the measurements is only part of the job.
The other question is whether the flight can legally and safely be carried out in that location.
Depending on the aircraft, location and operating scenario, professional UAV missions may require additional risk assessments or operational approvals.
Adlerwind is supported in this area by Bergstone GmbH, including the preparation of more complex operating scenarios and regulatory processes for professional UAV operations.
For our clients, this means something very practical:
We consider the regulatory feasibility of the flight during project planning, rather than discovering a problem on the morning of the survey.
Operations are carried out by appropriately qualified remote pilots. Project data is processed in compliance with GDPR requirements and stored on infrastructure in Germany.
The technology behind the survey
For LiDAR surveys, we use professional RTK UAV platforms, including the DJI Matrice 350 RTK, together with appropriate LiDAR sensors.
LiDAR uses laser pulses to measure distances and create a three-dimensional point cloud of the environment.
Depending on the project, we can combine this with high-resolution photogrammetry, terrestrial laser scanning or thermal imaging.
But adding more technology is not the objective.
The objective is to choose the right sensor and workflow for the information the project actually needs.
What does Scan-to-BIM cost?
Pricing depends mainly on building size, accessibility, required level of detail and the final deliverables.
As a general indication:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Scan-to-BIM for energy renovation | from €5.00/m² |
| Scan-to-BIM for roofs & existing buildings | from €7.00/m² |
Prices exclude 19% VAT.
UAV surveying is quoted individually because flight complexity and regulatory requirements can vary significantly by location.
After a short initial briefing, we provide a project-specific quotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the on-site survey take?
For a typical renovation project of around 800–1,200 m², the actual data capture can often be completed within one day. Larger or more complex buildings may require additional time.
Do we need scaffolding for the survey?
In many cases, no scaffolding is required simply to measure the roof and exterior. This is one of the main advantages of combining UAV surveying with terrestrial laser scanning.
Can you scan an occupied building?
Yes. Exterior surveying causes very little disruption. Interior scanning is coordinated in advance with the owner, property manager or occupants.
Can our architects work directly with the data?
Yes. Depending on the project, we can deliver IFC, Revit, DWG and E57 files as well as conventional PDF drawings.
What if we only need the roof?
That is also possible. Not every project requires a complete BIM model. We can survey individual parts of a building, such as a roof measurement for a planned renovation.
Good renovation planning starts with good as-built data
With existing buildings, reality is often more complicated than the drawing sitting in the archive.
Our job is to capture that reality as completely and accurately as the project requires and turn it into data that architects, planners and construction companies can actually use.
Drone LiDAR for difficult-to-reach areas. 3D laser scanning for the building and interiors. Scan-to-BIM for the next stage of planning.
All within one coordinated workflow.
Send us the address, building type and scope of the survey. We will assess the most suitable approach and prepare a project-specific quotation.
Adlerwind® — a brand of Bergstone GmbH, Berlin sergey@adlerwind.de · +49 176 2018 2399