Best LiDAR App for Contractors 2026: Floor Plans, 3D Scanning & More

Hey contractors! Looking to add LiDAR into your workflows for 2024? You've come to the right place.

What is LiDAR and What is it Used for In Construction?

LiDAR is like a superpower for seeing in 3D. It stands for Light Detection and Ranging. Here's how it works: LiDAR sends out laser beams and measures how long they take to bounce back. By doing this super fast, it creates a detailed map of the environment, including buildings, trees, and the lay of the land.

In construction, LiDAR is a secret weapon. It helps us make super accurate plans of job sites, measure distances, and even detect changes over time. It's also handy for things like making digital models of buildings and monitoring the progress of projects. Basically, LiDAR helps us see the world in a whole new way, and that's why it's being used more and more in Construction.

What does the Manifold app do?

Manifold makes using LiDAR on construction sites super easy for contractors. Contractors can start to get the benefits of LiDAR without having to spend a bunch of money on a fancy camera and experts to do the scanning for you. Anyone with LiDAR on their iPhone or iPad can scan their jobsite, and we do all the processing in the cloud. Manifold is the MOST accurate LiDAR app and was built especially for contractors.

What can you use the data for?

LiDAR data is like gold for contractors! It gives you a detailed map of the job site, helping you plan with precision and spot potential problems before they get out of hand. Plus, you can track progress like a pro, making sure everything's on track as your project evolves. You can extract measurements (accurate to within half an inch!)

Is LiDAR useful for estimates?

LiDAR data is incredibly useful when it comes to providing accurate quotes for construction projects. With detailed information about the job site, including the layout of buildings, terrain features, and existing infrastructure, contractors can assess the scope of work more precisely.

For contractors who need to capture as-built conditions, see our complete as-built documentation guide or learn how Orbit Measure delivers 3D scanning on any phone without LiDAR hardware. You can also compare how Orbit Measure's gaussian splatting technology differs from LiDAR.

Start your free trial or book a 15-minute demo.