Affordable Scans, Accurate Plans
Hover's smartphone app offers an easier way to get precise 3D scans.
Measuring a home for remodeling can be tedious and error-prone, especially when precision is critical. While 3D scanning tools like the Matterport Pro3 ($6,595) and Ricoh Theta Z1 ($1,170) offer accuracy, their steep costs, subscriptions, and per-project fees make them impractical for occasional use. Lower-cost options under $500 cater more to real estate agents, focusing on visual tours rather than detailed floor plans.
At the International Builders’ Show, I discovered Hover’s beta smartphone app for interior scanning. I was already familiar with Hover’s satellite-based exterior services and decided to test the app on a complete interior rehab project requiring a 3D floor plan.
After downloading the app and watching a quick tutorial, I scanned each room individually by walking around with my phone at chest height while the app captured the data. The process was straightforward and took just 15 minutes. After submitting the data, processing through Hover’s cloud system took about four hours.
When I received the results, I was impressed. Comparing them with my backup measurements, the Hover dimensions were spot-on. The app produced a detailed 3D floor plan, and minor omissions on my part, like a bedroom closet and fireplace, were easy to correct later.
Additional features, such as a dollhouse view and clickable walls with photos, were helpful but secondary to the app’s accuracy and efficiency. At $90 per scan, it’s a game-changer for contractors like me—saving time, effort, and the need for expensive equipment. Go to hover.to/interiors to learn more or get access to the app.
— Fernando Pagés Ruiz, a builder and ICC-certified residential building inspector active in code development.
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