Level of Development (LOD) defines the level of detail and accuracy of a BIM model, encompassing both geometry and data attributes, and enables project teams to communicate clearly about expectations at various stages of the project. Laser scans of buildings create raw data, and converting this into a useful 3D model requires selecting the right LOD, because the level of detail affects how the model can be used, how reliable it is, and how much effort will be needed to produce it.
Scan to BIM projects link directly with LOD, since a low LOD may save time but fail to support design or construction decisions, while a high LOD adds cost and complexity without always providing practical benefits. Projects gain real value when the LOD matches the intended purpose, timeline, and budget, allowing teams to extract accurate information efficiently.
This article by ViBIM explains what LOD means in BIM, how to choose the right LOD for your scan to BIM project, and how to document requirements clearly, so readers can improve project outcomes, avoid costly mistakes, and understand how to choose the LOD effectively.
What is LOD in BIM?
Building Information Modeling uses Level of Development (LOD) to show how complete and reliable a model element is. It covers both geometry and data attributes, and it provides a standard way to communicate details. Scan to BIM relies on LOD because the chosen level affects the model’s usefulness, data content, and project decisions, and selecting the right LOD helps align expectations among stakeholders.
Project teams follow six main LOD stages and the following table summarizes these six levels for Scan to BIM:
| LOD Level | Description & Key Features |
| LOD 100 – Conceptual | Generic forms/blocks showing massing, spatial needs, and zoning. Approximate geometry. |
| LOD 200 – Schematic | Rough size, shape, and location using generic systems or assemblies. Spaces defined by bounding elements. |
| LOD 300 – Design Development | Accurate, coordinated geometry with dimensions, placement, and detailing. Includes non-geometric data. |
| LOD 350 – Construction Detailing | Elements show connections, interfaces, and supports. Quantities, shapes, and orientations captured. |
| LOD 400 – Fabrication | Fabrication-ready model with component details, shop drawings, and supplier specs. |
| LOD 500 – As-Built / Operational | Verified geometry reflecting installed conditions, full metadata, and O&M data for lifecycle management. |
Why the right LOD matters in Scan to BIM?
Selecting the right LOD matters for Scan to BIM projects for six reasons:.
- Ensures model suitability and cost-effectiveness: Choosing a low LOD can make a model inadequate for its intended use, while an overly detailed LOD increases costs and delays. Balancing scope, purpose, and budget allows the model to provide practical value without unnecessary effort.
- Provides structure and clarity to the modeling process: Defining LOD creates a clear framework for what each model stage should include, which helps teams coordinate design and execution. Clarity reduces ambiguity and improves overall project outcomes.
- Reduces guesswork and inconsistencies: A well-specified LOD limits assumptions and prevents conflicting interpretations during construction. This guidance minimizes rework and supports smoother, more predictable project progress.
- Supports accurate cost estimates and verified specifications: LOD establishes a foundation for precise budgeting and specification verification, allowing teams to plan financially with confidence. Accurate data prevents over- or underestimations that can disrupt schedules.
- Clarifies deliverables and improves accountability: Each LOD stage defines what must be delivered, enabling team members to understand their responsibilities. Clear expectations enhance quality and make progress easier to monitor.
- Aligns with project milestones for progress tracking: LOD stages match project phases, enabling systematic scheduling and evaluation of model development. Using scan data efficiently ensures that each stage meets its intended objectives.
How to choose the right LOD for your Scan to BIM project?
Project teams choose the right LOD for a Scan to BIM project by linking the level of detail to the model’s goal, matching it with the type and complexity of each space, and aligning it with the future users who will rely on the model. Teams also adjust LOD to fit budget and timeline constraints, ensure it reflects point cloud accuracy, and follow relevant industry standards such as ISO 19650, PAS 1192, and AIA guidelines, so that each stage of the model supports its intended purpose and performance.
Set the LOD based on your model’s goal
Project teams start by asking, “Why are we doing this Scan to BIM in the first place?” because the project’s goal defines the minimum LOD needed to avoid wasted effort or insufficient detail. Lower LODs such as 100–200 suit concept design, general data collection, and budgeting, offering smaller file sizes that are easy to share and render efficiently, while higher LODs support more demanding applications.
- Renovation or design planning → LOD 300: Accurate geometry and spatial dimensions make this level suitable for redesigning layouts, structural planning, and informed renovation decisions.
- Clash detection → LOD 350: Interfaces between systems are included, helping identify conflicts between architectural, structural, and MEP elements before construction.
- Fabrication and installation → LOD 400: Detailed geometry and installation data enable precise off-site manufacturing or on-site assembly.
- Asset and facility management → LOD 500: Verified as-built conditions with full equipment metadata support operations, maintenance, and lifecycle management.
Match LOD to the type and complexity of the space
Space complexity and operational needs shape the appropriate LOD, and selecting the right level prevents over-modeling simple structures while avoiding errors in complex facilities:
- Residential or commercial → LOD 200–300: Homes, small offices, and retail spaces benefit from moderate detail for design planning, documentation, and basic coordination, keeping models lightweight and manageable.
- Complex buildings → LOD 350–400: Hospitals, data centers, and dense facilities require detailed system interfaces and routing clarity to support clash detection and prevent costly on-site conflicts.
- FM-ready structures → LOD 500: Schools, public buildings, and healthcare facilities need field-verified, data-rich models that support preventive maintenance, lifecycle tracking, and digital twin applications.
Align LOD with the model’s future users
Understanding who will use the BIM model guides the selection of the right LOD, and matching LOD to user needs prevents miscommunication and costly rework while maximizing the value extracted from the model:
- Architects and Engineers → LOD 300–350: Design teams benefit from enough detail for spatial validation, load analysis, and coordination between disciplines without overcomplicating the model.
- Contractors and Fabricators → LOD 400: Construction teams require buildable geometry with precise dimensions, tolerances, and installation information that can be applied directly on-site or in fabrication.
- Facility Managers → LOD 500: FM teams rely on field-verified data enriched with equipment metadata, serial numbers, and maintenance schedules to manage long-term building operations effectively.
Adjust LOD to fit your budget and timeline
Project budgets and timelines guide the selection of LOD, and adjusting the level of detail helps balance cost with functionality while avoiding over-modeling or unnecessary work:
- Architectural → LOD 300: Visual accuracy and layout validation provide sufficient detail for coordination without modeling every finish or minor component.
- Structural → LOD 350: Precise dimensions and connection points support clash detection and documentation in critical load-bearing areas, reducing construction conflicts.
- MEP → LOD 400 (where needed): Detailed routing, fitting geometry, and fabrication-ready data apply selectively in complex systems like hospitals or laboratories to maximize efficiency and accuracy.
Aligning LOD with point cloud accuracy
Scan quality and point cloud accuracy define how detailed a BIM model can become, and aligning LOD with the available data prevents errors and unnecessary rework. Misaligned scan and LOD goals create the 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.
- Low-resolution scans → LOD 200–300: Basic geometry and conceptual designs provide sufficient visual representation but lack the precision required for coordination, fabrication, or as-built documentation.
- High-resolution, well-registered scans → LOD 400–500: Detailed capture of MEP systems, structural components, and equipment metadata supports fabrication-ready models and facility management.
How to clearly specify and record LOD requirements?
Defining and documenting Level of Development (LOD) requirements in a Scan to BIM project begins with six key points in the BIM Execution Plan (BEP) or project scope, which guide modelers and keep project expectations clear:
- Specify LOD per discipline: The BIM Execution Plan should clearly define the level of development for each specialty, including architecture, structural, and MEP, so modelers understand the expected detail and can work consistently across trades.
- Provide element-specific examples: The project documentation should include examples for various LOD stages, such as LOD 200 or 300, illustrating the expected geometry, dimensions, and information for each building component to facilitate accurate modeling.
- Detail metadata and parameters: Each model element should include specified attributes such as material, manufacturer, or performance data, which helps teams maintain consistency and enables proper integration with analysis or FM tools.
- Establish file naming and deliverables: The project scope must set clear naming conventions and deliverable requirements so teams can share, track, and exchange models efficiently without confusion or duplication of effort.
- Use the LOD matrix for tracking: A matrix included in the BEP assigns responsibilities, monitors compliance, and communicates requirements, which minimizes misinterpretation, scope creep, and costly rework during project execution.
- Clarify modeling intent and constraints: The documentation should clearly state what is being modeled, who will use the model, the required accuracy, and project limitations, allowing teams to plan effectively and avoid delays or misalignment.
The article on how to choose the LOD has explored different strategies for selecting the right level of development, covering alignment with space complexity, end-users, budget, timeline, and point cloud accuracy, as well as clear documentation practices. We have shown practical steps to avoid over-modeling, prevent errors, and deliver models that meet project goals efficiently.
ViBIM focuses on providing BIM Modeling services from Point Cloud data, specializing in Revit as the primary authoring tool on the Autodesk platform, and delivering solutions for building surveys, existing and as-built phases, as well as design and engineering projects. Contact us today to discuss your Revit modeling requirements and receive a complimentary quote.
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