To upgrade, expand or maintain existing buildings, contractors have historically faced a colossal challenge: Understanding precisely what exists within the building’s infrastructure, and where. Without that knowledge, contractors and their clients lose efficiencies and often incur delays and extra costs.

Baker Group has eliminated that challenge. “We have invested in a top-of-the-line 3-D laser scanner – the only one of its kind in Central Iowa,” says Kyle Rehn, P.E., Mechanical Engineer.

This highly sophisticated 3-D laser technology enables Baker Group’s design team to visit the job site and map every inch of the environment – before construction begins. “We don’t have to wait until construction begins to see what we’re working with,” Rehn says.

Collected data is then applied to Baker Group’s building information modeling (BIM) software to construct digital five-dimensional models (XYZ positions, time and cost). This allows the designers to locate equipment and route piping, ductwork or electrical wiring through the space with unfaltering accuracy.

Scans facilitate prefabrication, which saves time and money. Rehn explains: “The scans and modeling technologies allow us to prefabricate piping and ductwork, which go in perfectly. The time savings is phenomenal. This also eliminates any surprises and unexpected costs.

“The owner also gets to see the piping and/or ductwork within the 3D Model prior to fabrication and can tweak the component placements or routing before construction begins,” he says.

3-D scanning can also help inform building acquisitions as well as provide before-and-after construction blueprints for historical records and insurance purposes.