Laser Scanning, Scan to BIM, Scan to CAD & 3D Modeling

The Drafting Company (TDC) is a US-based specialist in reality capture and digital documentation, offering nationwide laser scanning services combined with conversion of point cloud data into BIM models, CAD drawings, and 3D models. The company operates under the domain thedraftingcompany.com and positions itself as a focused, single-discipline provider rather than a broad outsourcing generalist, which is worth understanding before you engage.

TDC's core service chain is straightforward: on-site laser scanning → point cloud processing → structured digital deliverable. Every service they offer traces back to that single workflow. That focus is a genuine differentiator; they are not trying to be everything to every outsourcing buyer. If you need reality capture converted into usable design documentation, this is a purpose-built shop. If you need general back-office support, HR, or finance outsourcing, look elsewhere.

**What They Actually Do**

The service catalogue breaks into three clusters:

1. *Laser Scanning and CAD Conversion*, On-site laser scanning feeds into CAD outputs including plans, elevations, and sections. Sub-services include CAD Remastering, Paper and PDF to CAD Conversion, standard CAD Conversion, and Laser Scanning to CAD. The paper-to-CAD offering is useful for facilities teams working with legacy documentation, older as-built drawings that exist only on paper or as scanned PDFs get converted into editable CAD files, which matters for renovation planning or facility management.

2. *BIM Modeling and As-Builts*, This is where TDC goes beyond basic drafting. They produce Revit-based BIM models at LOD 200, 300, and 500, explicitly noting that deliverables are "not dumb solids", meaning the models carry structured element data rather than just geometry. Services here include Revit As-Built BIM, Revit Modeling, BIM Modeling, BIM As-Built, and Laser Scanning to BIM. LOD 500 delivery means the model is verified to represent actual installed conditions, which is relevant for facilities management, handover documentation, and operations teams who need accurate digital records of what was actually built.

3. *Industrial and Manufacturing Modeling*, Scan to BIM, Laser Scanning to 3D, Scan to CAD, and Scan to Plan services targeted at industrial and manufacturing environments. This extends the core workflow into factory floors, industrial plants, and product environments where precision documentation matters for retrofit, maintenance planning, or engineering.

The consistent output types across all three clusters are: point cloud data processing, structured BIM models, 2D CAD drawings (plans, elevations, sections), and 3D geometry. The stated use cases are design, renovation, facility management, and engineering.

**Geographic Coverage**

TDC advertises nationwide coverage across the US, and their location pages list more than 25 cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Fargo, Honolulu, Houston, Jersey City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Omaha, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, and Washington DC. That breadth suggests either a distributed field team or subcontracted scanning crews, which is a reasonable question to ask before engagement. On-site scanning quality depends heavily on the field technician, so I would want to know whether the crew on your project is a TDC employee or a subcontractor, and what QA process governs the point cloud capture.

**Who This Fits**

The natural buyer is an architecture, engineering, or construction firm that needs as-built documentation of an existing structure before renovation or renovation coordination. Facility managers who maintain large building portfolios and need accurate digital records are another obvious fit. Industrial and manufacturing operators planning a retrofit or capital project on an existing facility round out the primary use cases.

TDC is not a generalist BPO. They do not advertise customer support, finance, HR, or IT outsourcing. If you are reading this as a buyer looking for call center or back-office services, this vendor is not a match. For AEC and FM buyers specifically, the single-service focus can be an advantage, they are not splitting attention across service lines.

**Delivery Model and Pricing**

TDC describes itself as offering "full turnkey services" at "a highly competitive and efficient cost structure." That language is marketing-level vague, and pricing is not publicly listed. I would treat the "competitive cost" claim as a reason to get a quote and compare, not as a guarantee. The project-based model is the logical fit here, laser scanning and BIM conversion are discrete projects with defined scope, deliverable, and timeline rather than ongoing seat-based or hourly engagements.

Contact is through a US phone number (800-504-2658) and email (sales@thedraftingcompany.com). No minimum engagement, contract length, or pricing structure is disclosed publicly.

**Compliance and Security**

No specific certifications (ISO, SOC 2, etc.) are mentioned in the available research. For most AEC and FM use cases this may not be a primary concern, but if your project involves sensitive facility data for a regulated asset, a hospital, a government building, a data center, I would ask TDC directly about their data handling policies, NDA terms, and how point cloud and model data is stored and shared.

**Editor's Take**

TDC's strength is specificity. They do one thing, scan and convert, and they describe it clearly without hiding behind vague outsourcing language. The LOD 200/300/500 call-out and the emphasis on Revit-based structured models (not dumb solids) suggest they understand what AEC buyers actually need from a BIM deliverable. Those are the right signals.

What I would verify before engaging: First, who physically performs the on-site scan in your city? The nationwide footprint is broad, and field quality is where most reality capture projects succeed or fail. Ask for a sample point cloud and a sample Revit model deliverable at the LOD you need, not a marketing render, an actual model file. Second, confirm turnaround time from scan to deliverable, and ask what happens if the point cloud has gaps or low-density areas (occlusion is common in complex environments). Third, get clarity on revision rounds, BIM models require interpretation decisions, and misaligned assumptions about what gets modeled at what detail level create disputes. A clear scope agreement before the scan takes place saves significant friction.

For the right buyer, an AEC firm, a facility manager, or an industrial operator needing accurate as-built digital documentation, TDC looks like a focused, capable shop worth a discovery call. For any other outsourcing need, look for a different provider.