If you’ve ever had to break the news of a surprise change order to a client, you know the drill. The sigh. The frustration. The dreaded, “Why wasn’t this caught earlier?” It’s the moment no contractor enjoys—and the moment that eats away at trust, profit margins, and timelines.
But here’s the kicker: most change orders aren’t about poor craftsmanship. They’re about bad information at the start.
Why Change Orders Keep Popping Up
Maybe the as-built drawings were outdated. Maybe that wall wasn’t actually where the plan said it would be. Maybe a pipe was hiding behind a ceiling panel that no one thought to check.
By the time your crew discovers it, framing is up, subs are delayed, and your carefully planned budget takes a hit. Multiply that by a few trade conflicts, and you’re looking at serious overruns.
The LiDAR Advantage
This is where LiDAR scanning changes the story. With a single site scan, FirstLook Services captures millions of data points to build a hyper-accurate model of your space—down to a fraction of an inch. No guessing. No assumptions.
We then convert that scan into a Revit model that reflects real-world conditions. Suddenly, your team isn’t working from legacy drawings or rough estimates. They’re working from reality.
The Payoff: Less Risk, More Confidence
- Catch conflicts early: That misplaced column? You’ll see it in the model before it slows your jobsite.
- Reduce RFIs: When the model is accurate, your subs ask fewer questions and move faster.
- Protect margins: Fewer surprises mean fewer costly fixes and more profit staying in your pocket.
In short, LiDAR helps you spot problems before they become line items.
Why Contractors Are Making the Switch
We’ve seen it across warehouses, schools, hospitals, and retail retrofits. Contractors who used to struggle with unexpected scope changes now have projects that stay on budget—and clients who actually believe them when they say, “We’ve got this under control.”
Because the truth is, when your plans match reality, change orders become the exception—not the rule.
Ready to keep your next project change-order free?
Contact FirstLook Services today and let’s talk about how a LiDAR scan can save your bottom line.
