How Can I Get Accurate Drawings for Housing Refurbishments and Retrofits?

21 May

If you're managing a housing development, planning retrofit works, or overseeing public sector property upgrades, understanding the condition of your buildings is essential. One of the most efficient ways to achieve this is through Scan to BIM—a digital process that converts real-world environments into detailed, usable 3D models.

At Airey Miller Surveys, we help housing associations, local authorities, and housing providers reduce risk and avoid costly errors by using advanced laser scanning to generate BIM-ready models for design, planning and compliance.

What is Scan to BIM?

Scan to BIM (Building Information Modelling) is the process of laser scanning an existing building or site to produce an accurate 3D digital model. This data is used to inform refurbishment design, M&E planning, fire safety upgrades, or complete building overhauls.

Instead of relying on historic drawings or manual measurements, Scan to BIM gives you an up-to-date, detailed model of your building—including structural elements, pipework, voids, and ceiling spaces. It’s a vital tool for project teams working on legacy estates or housing stock.

Common Problems We Solve

1. Inaccurate or Missing Building Records

Older housing or public sector buildings often lack reliable documentation. This makes it harder to plan works accurately and increases the risk of clashes or rework during construction.

2. Unforeseen Design Issues

Without accurate measurements, design decisions made in early stages may not align with what’s actually on site—causing delay, disruption and additional cost.

3. Safety and Compliance Risks

Scan to BIM allows fire safety consultants and planners to base strategies on the true conditions of a building, supporting Golden Thread documentation and regulatory compliance.

4. Fragmented Information Across Teams

When project teams use different sources of information, coordination suffers. A single 3D model provides a shared source of truth.

Why Housing Providers Are Choosing Airey Miller

We understand the challenges you face—tight budgets, busy sites, demanding schedules, and complex building stock. Airey Miller combines practical construction expertise with high-quality digital scanning to deliver data you can trust.

Here’s what you get:

BIM-ready models that integrate with your existing design workflows
Experienced surveyors who know how to work in live, occupied buildings
Faster decision-making through accessible and accurate models
Reduced design risk, clash detection and greater project confidence

Who Is It For?

Housing Associations upgrading or redeveloping existing estates
Local Authorities refurbishing public housing and community buildings
Asset Managers seeking accurate data for future maintenance or investment planning

Start Your Project the Smart Way

A simple scan today could save you weeks of delay and thousands in rework. With Airey Miller, you’ll get the data clarity you need to deliver housing projects better, faster, and more safely.

Contact Mark Humphreys or explore our scanning and digital recording services to learn more about Scan to BIM.