Post-Strip-Out Laser Scan Surveys: Capturing the True State of Your Building

By Steve Bury | 26th November 2025
Post-Strip-Out Laser Scanning

Refurbishment projects are full of surprises. Once walls come down, ceilings are opened, and finishes are removed, what remains is the real building - not the one shown on historic drawings. At this critical stage, an accurate record of the existing structure is essential. That’s where our Post-Strip-Out Laser Scan Surveys come in.

 

Post-strip-out scanning provides a precise digital snapshot of the building in its exposed state - revealing structural elements, service runs, MEP installations, risers, and hidden features that may never have been documented. This allows design teams, contractors, and project managers to make informed decisions before committing to costly works.

 

Why Post-Strip-Out Scanning Matters

Strip-out works reveal the truth behind the finishes. Beams appear where no one expected, old services turn up in unexpected voids, and structural additions from past refurbishments suddenly become visible.

 

A survey carried out before strip-out simply cannot show:

 

 

By capturing the building after strip-out, we deliver data based on actual conditions - not assumptions.

 

High-Precision Laser Scanning: The Foundation of Your Digital Model

We use advanced terrestrial laser scanners to record the geometry of the stripped-out environment in millimetre-level detail. Depending on the project, we either tie into an existing site control network, or - if none exists - we can establish a new control network, gridlines, and datums as part of the process.

 

This ensures that:

 

  • Every floor is tied into a consistent and reliable coordinate system
  • Design teams receive a model aligned to the correct grid and datum
  • Fit-out works can be set out accurately during construction
  • All future surveys and trades work from the same unified reference

 

If the building has no usable control or grid layout, we establish one using total stations, digital levels, scan targets, and temporary control lines - creating a robust framework for the scanning, modelling, and later fit-out phases.

 

Revit & IFC Models Based on Reality - Not Guesswork

Following the laser scan, our in-house team can convert the point cloud into a highly accurate Revit or IFC model. These models are produced to reflect the true stripped-out condition of the building, showing all structural and exposed MEP elements.

 

Your model can include:

 

✔️ Structural frames, beams, columns & cores ✔️ Voids, risers, slab edges & structural openings ✔️ Exposed MEP and service routes ✔️ Retained partitions and existing fabric ✔️ Open ceiling void geometry and plant features

 

The result is a dependable, accurate base model ready for architectural, structural, and services design. No more relying on outdated drawings or assumptions.

 

A Matterport Tour to Complement Your Survey

Alongside the point cloud and BIM models, we also provide a high-definition Matterport tour of the stripped-out building.

 

This immersive 360° walkthrough enables your team to:

 

  • Review the site remotely in high-resolution imagery
  • Examine exposed services and junctions visually
  • Share site information with colleagues or contractors instantly
  • Reduce unnecessary site visits
  • Capture evidence of pre-fit-out conditions clearly and permanently

 

Matterport gives you the context and visual clarity that even the best drawings can’t provide.

 

The Result? Certainty, Clarity & Control

A Post-Strip-Out survey gives your project a complete and verified digital foundation. Combined with newly established control points, datums, and gridlines where needed, your fit-out team gains:

 

  • Accurate, coordinated data from day one
  • Full visibility of structural and service conditions
  • Reduced risk of clashes and rework
  • Smoother communication between design, construction, and client teams
  • A reliable coordinate system to support the entire fit-out lifecycle

 

If your project depends on knowing exactly what’s there - and ensuring that new works can be set out with absolute confidence - our Post-Strip-Out Laser Scan Survey package is essential.

 

Ready to Get Started?

Whether you’re planning a CAT A/CAT B fit-out, refurbishment, MEP upgrade, or change-of-use project, our complete package gives you everything you need:

 

Laser scanning + Revit/IFC modelling + Matterport tour + control/grid establishment = Total clarity

 

Call us now on 01905 622495 to get help with your latest project.