LiDAR scan explained: how we capture an existing space at 4mm tolerance

Field-measuring a kitchen with a tape can take 4 hours and still miss the out-of-square corners that trip up custom cabinetry. A LiDAR scan captures everything at sub-4mm tolerance in 45 minutes. Here's how it works.

The hardware

We use a tripod-mounted LiDAR scanner that sweeps the room with a low-power laser, capturing roughly 200,000 points per second. Each point has a precise 3D position relative to the scanner. To capture a whole room (including under cabinets, behind doors, and inside closets), we move the scanner to 4-6 positions and let the software stitch the sweeps together.

The software

The output is a point cloud: millions of (x, y, z) coordinates. We import that into Rhino or Revit and overlay our design on top. The point cloud shows us which corner is 7mm out of square, which wall has a slight bow, which floor slopes from one side to the other.

Why it matters for custom millwork

Custom cabinetry is 1-2mm tolerance work. If the wall is 5mm out of square and we don't know about it, the cabinet doesn't fit. With a scan, we design around the existing condition: we make the casework slightly wider on the high side, slightly narrower on the low side. The install is fast and clean because the cabinets are already correct for the space.

When you'd skip a scan

A scan costs $850 for a single room. For a small project (single vanity, simple built-in), the scan cost can exceed the field-measure value. For a whole-kitchen reconfiguration, a scan saves the project from itself.