WHAT IS A VIRTUAL SITE VISIT?

Our Virtual Site Visits platform is an easy and low-cost way to access spatial data of your building or project – from any device and without any burdensome downloads. We take the measurements captured by our team on-site and turn reality capture data into an easy-to-use digital twin of your building. When owners, facilities managers, architects, and contractors utilize the Virtual Site Visits platform, they can easily access laser scan data of their building. Given the popularity of this platform, we’d like to clear up some common misconceptions that we’ve seen recently.

Often when people see drones flying nearby, they think of a kid's toy, of commercial flyover footage and blockbuster movies, or maybe even search and recovery missions. What most people don’t recognize is how useful drones can be when added to an arsenal of data capture tools. Existing Conditions uses a variety of technologies to meet its clients' needs, including remotely-piloted aerial vehicles such as drones. At its most basic level, a drone survey allows you to see your building from a new perspective.

Accurate building documentation relies on technology and expertise. Our New Year, New Tools guide examines how Existing Conditions leverages technology to provide accurate building documentation. With 25 years of industry-leading experience, we’re excited to showcase the new tools and upgrades that help us deliver the accurate 3D scan data and drawings we’re known for industry-wide. 

3D laser scanning and building information modeling (BIM) is used for several applications in fields such as architecture, engineering, and construction. Professionals are now able to get real-time information on properties thanks to this data. For the technology to be useful, it must also provide a high level of accuracy. Every project comes with its own requirements, and Existing Conditions uses a variety of scanning technologies to meet clients' needs, including the new NavVis VLX.

The old ways are not good enough anymore.

I recently spoke with a colleague regarding how the industry has changed. It is clear that the old, inaccurate ways of doing things in the building industry are over. The technology exists in a cost-effective and readily available manner to know what you own, and own what you know. In the past, in order to understand their buildings, real estate professionals would rely on old paper drawings found on site or rent rolls provided by the seller. Looking at these old drawings, they would determine the square footage of tenant spaces to determine rent payments. 3D laser scanning and BIM has forever changed the way smart, sophisticated professionals now conduct business. Since the technology and service providers are readily available, the expectation is that the latest technology and methods will be used to gather the best information so that intelligent decisions can be made quickly. I think we would all agree that we would not seek the help of a doctor that is still using technology and medication from the 1950’s – no matter how advanced it was considered back then.

Investing in real estate presents many unique opportunities — and challenges — that don't exist in conventional capital markets.