How Does Laser Scanning Reduce the Costs Associated with Rework?
Laser scanning equipment provides a 360-degree rendering of a site by sending and receiving light rays. In just a few minutes, millions of data points can be collected, so it's a fantastic tool to use as part of construction work. That said, laser scanning systems can be quite expensive, and that alone often turns people away from the idea. What they don't realise is that laser scanning can dramatically reduce the costs associated with rework.
The Cost of Rework
Studies from construction work across the country have shown the mean direct and indirect cost of rework as 6.4% and 5.9% of contract value, respectively. In the vast majority of cases, rework isn't something that can be avoided entirely. Projects can be huge, with numerous workers involved throughout. However, cutting down on those percentages can raise your profits significantly when the contract value reaches into the thousands or even millions of dollars. You'll also complete work faster by reducing the amount of rework.
How Laser Scanning Reduces Rework
Laser scanning helps prevent rework in more ways than one. These are just a few of the key advantages it brings to the table.
Accuracy
Laser scanning is extremely accurate. Exact measurements and locations are provided thanks to the steadiness of the base and the elimination of possible human error. Greater distances won't pose an issue since laser beams are direct regardless of the distance involved. At shorter distances, you can often count on sub millimetre accuracy
Eliminates Overlap
During most construction projects, there is significant overlap between workers from different trades measuring the same space more than once. Laser scanning produces data that can be used by all workers. With a 3D scan conducted, any measurement can be provided at any time. The chance of confusion is reduced, and there's far less chance of mistakes being made when one single scan is worked from.
Analysis and Exploration
Basic measurements can only go so far, especially during planning phases. With the 360-degree maps provided by laser scanning technology, you can virtually visit any room at any time from anywhere. This means being able to carry out superior options analysis before getting started, which means contractors will be less likely to make errors that need to be put right.
Laser scanning may seem like an unnecessary expense, but the truth is that such methods can result in considerable savings by slashing the amount of rework you need to handle.