Our Services

LiDAR & laser scanning.
Engineering-grade point cloud data.

Airborne and terrestrial LiDAR scanning for infrastructure survey, structural analysis and digital twin creation. Dense, accurate point cloud data delivered in industry-standard formats with full survey control.

±2mm
TLS accuracy
1000+
pts/m² density
BIM
Ready deliverables
LiDAR & Laser Scanning

Dense point cloud data for complex infrastructure.

Angell Surveys deploys UAV-mounted LiDAR and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to capture high-density point cloud data of structures, corridors and built environments. LiDAR provides precise 3D geometry where photogrammetry alone cannot achieve the required resolution or penetration under vegetation.

All scan data is registered to a documented survey control network and delivered as classified, georeferenced LAS/LAZ point clouds in the client's required coordinate system. We produce derivative products including surface models, cross-sections, feature extraction and BIM-ready geometry as required.

LiDAR is particularly effective for structures with complex geometry, areas of limited surface contrast or heavy vegetation cover — making it the preferred capture method for bridges, retaining walls, embankments and dense urban environments.

Capabilities

What we deliver.

From airborne corridor scanning to millimetre-resolution structural capture.

UAV-Mounted LiDAR

Airborne LiDAR capture from fixed-wing or multi-rotor UAV platforms. Suitable for corridor survey, vegetation penetration and large-area capture at engineering accuracy.

Terrestrial Laser Scanning

Static TLS for high-density structural capture. Ideal for bridges, buildings, tunnels and confined structures requiring millimetre-level resolution and complete surface coverage.

Point Cloud Classification

Automated and manual classification of ground, vegetation, structure and noise returns. Delivered as fully attributed LAS/LAZ files to ASPRS standards with complete metadata.

Surface Derivation

DTM, DSM and TIN surface generation from classified point clouds. Used for earthworks design, flood modelling, clearance analysis and corridor profiling.

Feature Extraction

Extraction of structural elements, utilities and asset features from point cloud data. Delivered as 3D DXF, IFC or structured GIS layers for direct use in design environments.

BIM Integration

Point cloud-to-BIM workflows producing Revit and IFC models from scan data. Enables accurate as-built modelling without traditional measured survey methods.

Our Process

How we work.

Systematic, quality-assured scanning from brief through to classified deliverable.

01

Project Planning

Instrument selection, scan position planning, survey control design and method statement preparation. TLS network planned to achieve specified accuracy and complete coverage.

02

Control & Capture

GNSS control established. Scanner positioned and levelled at each station. Data captured with sufficient overlap to eliminate shadow zones and achieve specified density.

03

Registration & Classification

Scans registered to survey control using target-based or cloud-to-cloud methods. Point cloud classified and filtered to specification with full QA checks.

04

Delivery

LAS/LAZ, surface models and derivative products delivered with full metadata, scan logs and accuracy reports. Delivered in client-specified coordinate system and format.

Sector Applications
Bridges & Structures Rail Infrastructure Nuclear Highways Heritage Buildings Construction Ports & Marine
FAQ

LiDAR & laser scanning questions.

Angell Surveys is a RICS-regulated practice (Firm 681790) — verify our registration via the RICS Find a Surveyor directory.

What is a LiDAR survey?
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is an active remote-sensing method that fires pulsed laser at the target and times the return to compute a dense, georeferenced point cloud — millions of XYZ points per second. Unlike photogrammetry, LiDAR works in low light, captures ground beneath vegetation canopy, and produces 3D geometry independent of surface texture. Angell Surveys operates both UAV LiDAR for large-area corridor and vegetated-terrain work, and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) for engineering-tolerance building, structure and confined-space capture.
When should I choose LiDAR over UAV photogrammetry?
Three primary cases. (1) Vegetated terrain — LiDAR penetrates canopy and reports the ground surface below; photogrammetry cannot. (2) Engineering tolerance — TLS achieves ±2 mm on hard detail, well beyond what photogrammetry can deliver without extensive ground control. (3) Featureless or shadowed surfaces — LiDAR is independent of surface texture and lighting; photogrammetry depends on both. For large open sites with low vegetation and acceptable cm-level accuracy, UAV photogrammetry is faster and cheaper.
What accuracy does LiDAR achieve?
Accuracy is referenced to the RICS Measured Surveys of Land, Buildings and Utilities (3rd edition) bands. Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) achieves ±2 mm on hard detail at 1 sigma — RICS Band A, engineering tolerance suitable for structural deformation monitoring, scan-to-BIM and clash detection. UAV LiDAR achieves ±15–20 mm on hard detail and ±20–25 mm on ground levels with a documented GCP network — RICS Band D, significantly better than UAV photogrammetry on vegetated or shadowed sites.
What deliverables will I receive from a LiDAR survey?
A registered, classified point cloud in E57, LAS or LAZ format is the primary deliverable. From that we derive: AutoCAD DWG plans and sections, 3D BIM models (Revit, IFC), DTM/DSM rasters, contour drawings, structural sections and clearance envelopes, deformation comparison reports (against a previous capture or a design surface), and hosted measurable web models for stakeholder review. Every survey ships with a registration accuracy report and check-point residuals.
Can LiDAR be used for confined-space and indoor inspection?
Yes — TLS captures full internal building geometry from systematic station positions, and SLAM-based handheld scanners capture in motion without static setup. For GPS-denied confined spaces we deploy collision-tolerant indoor UAV platforms (Elios-class) with onboard LiDAR — used for tanks, vessels, sewers, mineshafts and process plant where manned entry is unsafe or impractical.
Are you RICS regulated?
Yes. Angell Surveys is regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) — verify via our public profile at ricsfirms.com/office/681790/Angell-Surveys-Ltd. All LiDAR work is conducted under the RICS Surveys of Land, Buildings and Utilities professional statement with documented control networks and independent check points.
Work With Us

Bring engineering precision to your next project.

Most scoping responses sent within one business day.

RICS-regulated work, led by Philip M. Angell MRICS.