What is LiDAR and why should contractors care?
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) uses laser pulses to measure distances with millimeter-level accuracy. Originally used in surveying and autonomous vehicles, LiDAR sensors are now built into modern smartphones — including iPhone Pro models and select Android devices.
For contractors, this means you can walk into a room, scan it with your phone, and get a precise 3D spatial model in minutes. No tape measure, no laser distance meter, no expensive Matterport camera. Just your phone. While tools like Polycam and magicplan also offer LiDAR scanning, Alcovia is the only platform that combines scanning with AI design and photorealistic rendering in one app.
The implications are significant: faster site surveys, more accurate measurements, better client presentations, and fewer costly measurement errors during construction.
Which phones have LiDAR?
As of 2026, LiDAR is available on iPhone 12 Pro and later Pro models, iPad Pro (2020 and later), and select Samsung and Google Pixel devices with time-of-flight sensors. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro offer the most mature LiDAR implementation for room scanning.
If your phone doesn't have LiDAR, many scanning apps (including Alcovia) can still create room models using photogrammetry — processing multiple photos into a 3D model. LiDAR is faster and more accurate, but photogrammetry is a viable fallback.
How contractors use LiDAR scanning in the field
The typical workflow looks like this: You arrive at a client's home, open your scanning app, and slowly pan your phone around the room. The LiDAR sensor captures thousands of distance measurements per second, building a 3D point cloud of the space.
From that scan, the app generates a floor plan with accurate dimensions, a 3D room model, and (in Alcovia's case) a base model that you can redesign with AI. The entire scan takes 2-3 minutes per room. Unlike standalone scanners like Polycam, Alcovia keeps you in one workflow from scan to client presentation.
Contractors use these scans for: initial site assessment, client presentations, material estimation, subcontractor communication, and as-built documentation.
LiDAR scanning vs. traditional measurement
Traditional measurement with a tape measure or laser distance meter takes 15-30 minutes per room and is prone to human error. LiDAR scanning takes 2-3 minutes and captures the entire room geometry — including ceiling height, window placement, door swings, and architectural details that are easy to miss with manual measurement.
The accuracy difference is meaningful: LiDAR scans are typically accurate to within 1-2% of actual dimensions, compared to 3-5% for manual measurement. For a kitchen remodel, that 3% difference can mean thousands of dollars in wasted materials or costly change orders.
Getting started with LiDAR scanning
If you have a LiDAR-equipped phone, the barrier to entry is zero. Download Alcovia, open the scanning feature, and try it on your next site visit. The app guides you through the scanning process and automatically generates a floor plan and 3D model.
From there, you can use Alcovia's AI redesign engine to show the client what their remodel will look like — complete with new cabinets, countertops, flooring, and fixtures. The entire workflow, from scan to photorealistic render, takes less than 15 minutes.
Scan your first room free
Turn your phone into a LiDAR scanner. Alcovia captures precise 3D room models and generates photorealistic remodel renders — all from your phone.
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