How to Evaluate a Scan to CAD Service: 7 Questions You Should Be Asking
Not all Scan to CAD tools are built the same. If you’re evaluating options or switching from a previous provider, here’s what to ask before you commit.
1. How accurate are the deliverables, and how is that accuracy verified?
Accuracy claims vary widely, and not all of them are measured the same way. Ask specifically what margin of error to expect, how the service defines accuracy, and whether someone reviews the scan before drafting begins.
One thing worth noting: LiDAR-based apps report accuracy in relative terms — as a percentage of the measured distance — rather than absolute units like “to the inch” or “to the 1/8th inch.” That’s because the error scales with distance: a 1% tolerance means ±0.1″ on a 10″ wall but ±1.2″ across a 10-foot room. So when comparing accuracy claims, a percentage figure tells you more than a fixed unit would.
With Twindo: Scans captured using best practices are accurate to within 1 to 2% of manually verified dimensions, and every order goes through expert review before drafting begins. Twindo also layers proprietary algorithms on top of Apple’s built-in SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) to improve spatial consistency across the full scan, not just individual measurements.
2. Is there human QA involved?
Some scanning tools prioritize speed at the expense of accuracy and quality. And while tech allows you to get a final product more efficiently than hand measuring and modeling, there are still some limitations with purely AI tools.
Ask whether experts review your scan before modeling begins and whether someone checks the final output before it’s delivered.
The difference between a raw automated output and a file that has gone through human QA can mean the difference between a file that’s ready to build from and one that needs another round of interpretation, which you may be on the hook for.
With Twindo: Every order combines AI-driven automation with human expert review, so what you receive is a file that has been checked and is ready to build from.
3. What file formats are supported?
You need deliverables in the format your team actually uses. Confirm that the service supports your specific software, as it isn’t always easy to open one file type in another design program. Reformatting files downstream costs time and introduces errors.
With Twindo: Twindo offers files in major platforms including Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Chief Architect, Vectorworks, and AutoCAD. View sample files to see exactly what you can expect to receive.
4. What’s the turnaround time, and is it consistent?
A 48-hour turnaround that’s reliable is more valuable than a 24-hour promise that regularly slips. Ask for realistic timelines and find out whether they vary by file type, project size, or demand. If you’re on a project schedule, predictability matters as much as speed.
With Twindo: Turnaround time depends primarily on the size of the project with most files delivered within days. Factors such as multi-format orders and space complexity may also affect timing. Rush options are available for time-sensitive projects.
5. What’s the pricing model, and what’s included?
Per-scan, per-square-foot, and subscription models each have tradeoffs. Understand what you’re paying per project and whether revisions and customer support are included.
With Twindo: Our pricing is per square foot of the floor area of the model we deliver. Optional memberships offer discounts on our per square foot pricing. See how Twindo’s pricing works.
6. Who owns the data, and what does storage cost?
This matters more than most people realize when first evaluating a service. Your scan data represents real spatial information about your clients’ spaces.
Make sure you understand who retains access to that data, whether the provider can use it for other purposes, and what happens to your files if you cancel your account.
Also ask whether storage is included in the price. Separate storage fees can add up quickly, especially if you’re managing a large project volume or a multi-site portfolio.
With Twindo: You own your data. While the benefits of accessing your scans, files, and other spatial assets from your Twindo account are helpful, you can remove your projects from our cloud servers after receiving your as-built models. 7. What does support look like when something goes wrong?
Every tool has occasional misses, whether that’s a scan that didn’t capture correctly, a file that needs a revision, or a question about the deliverable. Ask how the support process works, what the turnaround is for revisions, and whether you’ll have a real person to contact.
A service that’s easy to reach when something needs fixing is worth more than a marginal price advantage.
With Twindo: Support is reachable at support@twindo.com, and we make every effort to return all emails within one business day, if not sooner.
Finding the Right Scan to CAD Solution
The right questions asked early save real time later. If you’re ready to see how Twindo measures up, we’re here to help.