Three methods, three different results
Every professional floor plan starts with measurement. The method you choose determines how long the job takes, how accurate the result is, and what format the output comes in. Tape measure, laser distance meter, and LiDAR scanning each serve different needs.
| Method | Time — 3-room apartment | Accuracy | Output | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tape measure | 2 to 4 hours incl. redraw | ±5 to 10 mm | Manual sketch or CAD entry | Near zero |
| Laser distance meter | 60 to 90 minutes incl. redraw | ±1 to 2 mm per measurement | Manual floor plan | €150 to €800 |
| LiDAR smartphone scan Fastest | 10 to 20 minutes incl. export | Within 1% (1 to 2 cm per wall) | Automatic 2D floor plan + 3D model | iPhone Pro + app subscription |
The key difference is not just speed — it is the redraw step. Tape measure and laser distance meter both require manual entry into a floor plan program after measuring. LiDAR scanning eliminates this step entirely.
Tape measure: the standard for quick single-room jobs
A tape measure is the most common room measurement tool in the trades. It costs nothing extra, fits in a pocket, and works for any room. For a single room or a rough estimate, it is the fastest option.
For complete building documentation, the tape measure becomes slow. Measuring a 3-room apartment takes 30 to 60 minutes on-site. Drawing the result — entering measurements into a CAD program or floor plan app — takes another 1 to 3 hours. Total time: 2 to 4 hours. Any missed measurement requires a return visit.
Tape measure accuracy is operator-dependent. An experienced tradesperson typically achieves ±5 to 10 mm per measurement. Errors accumulate across a full building, particularly at corners and in rooms with irregular geometry.
Laser distance meter: faster measurement, same redraw problem
A laser distance meter speeds up the measurement phase significantly. A 3-room apartment takes 20 to 30 minutes on-site instead of 30 to 60 with a tape measure. Accuracy per measurement is ±1 to 2 mm, which is better than a tape measure for individual dimensions.
The redraw problem remains unchanged. Measurements still need to be entered manually into a floor plan program, which takes 30 to 60 minutes. Total time: 60 to 90 minutes for a standard apartment. The floor plan is only as accurate as the person drawing it — transposition errors and missed angles are common.
Laser distance meters cost €150 to €800 depending on range and features. They produce individual measurements, not floor plans. The floor plan creation step is always separate and always manual.
LiDAR smartphone scanning: scan once, export directly
LiDAR scanning with iPhone Pro or iPad Pro captures the full room geometry in a single pass. You walk through each room holding the device — the LiDAR sensor measures distances continuously. After the scan, the app generates a dimensioned 2D floor plan and 3D model automatically. No manual redraw is needed.
Time from entering the room to an exportable floor plan: 10 to 20 minutes for a 3-room apartment. Accuracy is within 1%, typically 1 to 2 cm per wall. The result exports directly to PDF, DXF, IFC, Excel, and 30+ other formats for use in AutoCAD, Revit, DIALux, and BIM programs.
LiDAR is available on iPhone 12 Pro and later, and on iPad Pro from 2020 onwards.
For rooms where fitted furniture or built-in cabinets are planned, a two-step workflow delivers both speed and precision. Scan the full room with Metaroom to get the complete floor plan in 10 to 20 minutes. Then measure the 3 to 5 critical dimensions — niche width, installation depth, distance to power outlets — with a laser distance meter. This gives you millimeter accuracy where it matters, without spending 2 to 4 hours measuring the entire room by hand.
Which method is right for your job?
The right method depends on what you need the floor plan for and how often you create them.
A rough sketch is enough
Single room, no digital output needed, no return visit expected. Cost: near zero. Time: 30 to 60 minutes on-site plus redraw.
Precise single dimensions matter
Kitchen installation, clearance check, material order. You need a specific measurement, not a full floor plan. Cost: €150 to €800.
A complete digital floor plan is needed
Renovation documentation, energy audit, as-built survey, CAD or BIM input, lighting planning. Output: automatic 2D floor plan + 3D model, 30+ export formats.
For professionals who document multiple properties per week, LiDAR scanning is the only method where time per job stays consistent regardless of building size. Tape measure and laser meter both scale linearly with the number of rooms. LiDAR does not.
Output formats: what each method produces
The output format determines how useful the floor plan is for downstream work. All three methods produce different outputs.
| Method | Primary output | Digital formats | Ready for CAD / BIM? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tape measure | Hand sketch | Whatever CAD program you redraw in | Only after manual redraw |
| Laser distance meter | Individual measurements | Whatever CAD program you redraw in | Only after manual redraw |
| LiDAR scanning (Metaroom) | Automatic 2D floor plan + 3D model | PDF, DXF, IFC, Excel, 30+ formats | Yes — directly from the app |
DXF files from Metaroom open directly in AutoCAD, Revit, DDS-CAD, DIALux, and Relux without conversion. IFC files are ready for BIM workflows. PDF and Excel exports are ready to share with clients or submit for energy assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Metaroom is a professional floor plan scanning app for architects, tradespeople, and energy consultants. You scan a room with iPhone Pro or iPad Pro — the app captures geometry automatically using LiDAR. The result is a dimensioned 2D floor plan and 3D model, exportable to PDF, DXF, IFC, or Excel in 30+ formats. A 3-room apartment scans in under 20 minutes.
