Last updated on: June 25, 2025
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Are you struggling to decide which Level of Development (LOD) is best for your Scan to BIM project? Choosing the right LOD can make or break the success of your construction, renovation, or facility management efforts.
This guide will help you understand the importance of LOD, key factors to consider, and practical recommendations to ensure your BIM model meets your project needs perfectly.
Why LOD and Scan to BIM Are Closely Connected
Scan to BIM involves converting laser scans of a building into an intelligent 3D model. Read our guide on scan to BIM for a detailed understanding. The Level of Development (LOD) determines how detailed that model will be, from simple massing (LOD 100) to highly detailed as-built conditions (LOD 500).
Choosing the wrong LOD can derail your project in terms of cost, time, and usability. Selecting the right one? That unlocks real value from your model, especially if your goals are clear.
What is LOD in BIM?
In Building Information Modeling (BIM), Level of Development (LOD) defines the degree of completeness, accuracy, and reliability of a model element at different stages of a project. It provides a standardized way to communicate how much detail is included in the model, both visually (geometry) and informationally (data attributes).
Understanding the different LOD levels helps determine what to model, how much to model, and when to model it, all of which directly impact project scope, cost, and timelines.
What is LOD in BIM?
| LOD Level | Description |
|---|---|
| LOD 100 | Conceptual geometry, basic shape and size |
| LOD 200 | Approximate geometry, placeholders |
| LOD 300 | Accurate geometry and coordination-ready |
| LOD 350 | Interfaces with other systems modeled |
| LOD 400 | Fabrication and assembly-ready elements |
| LOD 500 | As-built, verified model with metadata |
📌 Note: LOD includes both geometrical detail and data richness. It reflects the intended use of the model.
Why Choosing the Right LOD is a Big Deal in Scan to BIM Projects
Choosing an insufficient LOD can make your model unfit for its purpose. On the flip side, excessively high LOD could result in unnecessary cost and time.
Instead, think of LOD as a balancing act between:
- Project scope
- End-use
- Budget and timeline
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right LOD
1. What Is the Purpose of the Model?
Start by asking: “Why are we doing this Scan to BIM in the first place?”
Your project’s goal will define the minimum LOD required to avoid unnecessary work or inadequate detail.
- Renovation or design planning? → LOD 300
LOD 300 includes accurate geometry and spatial dimensions, making it suitable for redesigning layouts, structural planning, or making informed renovation decisions. - Clash detection? → LOD 350
LOD 350 adds interface details between systems, helping detect conflicts between architectural, structural, and MEP elements before construction begins. - Fabrication and installation? → LOD 400
This level includes fabrication-ready elements with detailed geometry and installation data, enabling precise off-site manufacturing or on-site assembly. - Asset and facility management? → LOD 500
At LOD 500, the model reflects the true as-built condition verified on-site, complete with equipment metadata, serial numbers, and specifications used for maintenance and operations.
Your end goal defines the minimum necessary LOD.
2. What Type of Space or Building Are You Scanning?
The complexity, purpose, and operational needs of a space heavily influence the LOD requirements. Choosing the right LOD here ensures you don’t waste time over-modeling simple buildings or risk critical errors by under-modeling complex facilities.
- Residential/commercial: LOD 200–300
For homes, retail outlets, or small offices, LOD 200–300 typically provides enough detail for design planning, basic documentation, and light coordination without overloading the model with unnecessary data. - Complex buildings (hospitals, data centers): LOD 350–400
These facilities have dense and critical MEP systems where coordination is key. LOD 350–400 enables detailed system interfaces, routing clarity, and clash resolution essential to avoid costly field conflicts. - FM-ready structures: LOD 500
For schools, public buildings, healthcare, or any asset-intensive infrastructure, LOD 500 delivers field-verified, data-rich models that support preventive maintenance, lifecycle tracking, and digital twins.
Don’t over-model a simple space. Don’t under-model a complex one.
3. Who Will Use the BIM Model Later?
Understanding the end users of the BIM model is crucial. Different stakeholders extract different types of value from the model. So, aligning the LOD to their specific needs prevents gaps, miscommunication, and expensive rework.
- Architects and Engineers : For design development and interdisciplinary coordination, LOD 300–350 is ideal. It offers sufficient detail for spatial validation, load-bearing analysis, and integration between trades without overcomplicating the design phase.
- Contractors and Fabricators : These stakeholders rely on highly detailed, buildable information. LOD 400 ensures elements are modeled to manufacturing accuracy with exact dimensions, tolerances, and installation data that can be used directly on-site or in fabrication shops.
- Facility Managers: Post-construction, FM teams require accurate records of installed components (LOD 500), enriched with metadata like make, model, warranty info, and maintenance schedules to support long-term building operations.
Pro Tip: Involve downstream users early to avoid rework later.
4. What Is the Available Budget and Timeline?
Higher LODs like 400 and 500 demand more modeling time, skilled resources, and validation efforts, so they come with higher costs. Before committing to an ultra-detailed model, evaluate whether the added detail directly supports project goals or just inflates the budget.
If your project doesn’t require fabrication-level precision or long-term asset management, a strategic mixed-LOD approach can deliver the right value without overspending.
- Architectural: LOD 300 : Sufficient for visual accuracy, layout validation, and general coordination without detailing every finish or component.
- Structural: LOD 350 : Offers precise dimensions and connection points, ideal for clash detection and construction documentation in critical load-bearing areas.
- MEP: LOD 400 (where needed) : For complex MEP systems (e.g., hospitals or labs), this level ensures detailed routing, fitting geometry, and fabrication-ready data applied selectively where it adds the most value.
Smart Planning Tip: Define the LOD per discipline and scope in your BIM Execution Plan. This avoids over-modeling, balances cost with functionality, and ensures the model supports your actual project timeline.
5. What Level of Accuracy Is Required from the Point Cloud?
The quality of your scan data directly impacts how detailed your BIM model can be. Here’s how to align scan resolution with the right LOD:
- Low-resolution scans → LOD 200–300
Suitable for basic geometry and conceptual design. Lacks precision for coordination, fabrication, or as-built documentation. - High-resolution, well-registered scans → LOD 400–500
Essential for capturing intricate details like MEP elements, structural components, and equipment metadata required for fabrication or facility management. - Misaligned scan and LOD goals = risk of rework
If you plan for LOD 400+ but use low-quality scans, the model will lack accuracy—leading to inconsistencies, errors, and costly revisions.
Pro Tip: Involve your Scan to BIM provider early to align scanning accuracy with LOD expectations—this avoids mismatched deliverables.
Sample LOD Recommendations Based on Use Cases
| Use Case | Suggested LOD |
|---|---|
| Schematic Design | LOD 200 |
| Design Development & Coordination | LOD |
| Construction Documentation | LOD 350–400 |
| Fabrication/Prefabrication | LOD 400 |
| Facility Management | Facility Management |
How to Define and Document LOD Requirements Clearly
Vague expectations lead to scope creep and rework. Document LOD decisions clearly in your BIM Execution Plan (BEP) or project scope.
Your documentation should cover:
- LOD per discipline
- Element-specific examples
- Metadata and parameters expected
- File naming and deliverables
Clarity here means fewer change orders and smoother execution.
Final Thoughts: Choosing LOD is Not One-Size-Fits-All
A well-defined LOD prevents downstream issues, saves budget, and ensures project success. Before starting, get crystal clear on:
- What you’re modeling for
- Who will use it
- How accurate it needs to be
- What your constraints are
Strategic clarity now = successful outcomes later.
Ready to Start Your Scan to BIM Project with the Right LOD?
At United-BIM, we specialize in tailor-made Scan to BIM solutions with the right LOD for your use-case—whether that’s for design, construction, or facility management.
🎯 Let us help you make the most of your scan data.
📩 Request a Free Consultation
Key considerations include defining the model’s purpose, understanding the end-users, ensuring adequate point cloud quality, evaluating budget and timeline constraints, and clearly specifying LOD per discipline to ensure the model meets project expectations.
Yes, starting with a lower LOD (e.g., 200–300) is common in early design or coordination phases. The model can be upgraded to higher LODs like 400–500 later for construction or facility management—assuming the point cloud data supports higher accuracy.
When the end-use isn’t clearly defined, it's best to model at LOD 300 with clean geometry and good organization. This provides a solid, scalable base that can be enhanced later without starting from scratch.
Many RFPs and contracts mention LOD loosely or inconsistently. It’s important to seek clarification and define expectations clearly in the BIM Execution Plan, including LOD matrices and specific element examples, to avoid misunderstandings.
Over-modeling can result in unnecessarily large files, longer processing times, coordination inefficiencies, and inflated costs—especially when modeling elements that don’t support the model’s actual purpose.
About the Author
Coordination Manager / VDC Manager at United BIM
With over 10 years of experience in the AEC industry, Akash Patel is a seasoned Coordination Manager and VDC Manager at United BIM. His expertise lies in managing complex MEP-FP coordination projects and leveraging cutting-edge BIM technology to ensure seamless collaboration and precision. Akash is dedicated to delivering high-quality, detailed models that meet the demands of modern construction. He is passionate about optimizing workflows and driving innovation within the BIM field.
