As an interior designer or remodeling professional, presenting your vision clearly and accurately to clients is key to building trust and showcasing your expertise. With Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner and Houzz Pro mobile app, you can easily scan rooms and create professional 3D floor plans that capture every design detail, from room dimensions to fixture placement, all while providing accurate cost estimates. Thanks to Houzz Pro integration of LiDAR technology, you can now transform existing spaces into dynamic, true-to-scale 3D models with minimal effort.

This guide is packed with the best tips for scanning rooms and transforming those scans into high-quality 3D floor plans that not only inspire homeowners but also streamline your workflow. Whether you’re on-site or back in the office, Houzz Pro software is designed to save you time while elevating the professionalism of your proposals or estimates. Let’s dive in!

What you Need to Get Started

The latest Apple iPhone Pro has LiDAR cameras and the Houzz Pro mobile app uses the technology to connect the dots. Houzz Pro software captures the dimensions of rooms with accuracy and ease so you don’t have to measure manually, sketch out plans or do any of the other time-consuming work that creating a traditional floor plan of a client’s existing space requires.

How to Scan a Room with Ease 

Scanning is the first step toward creating a 3D Floor Plan, and here are some tips for getting started. All you need is your iPhone or iPad Pro to start scanning a room on any job site. The app works seamlessly with the software on your computer so you can put on the finishing touches later when you are back at the office. 

• Plan Your Path - Decide in advance how you will approach the room to scan it. Consider the best angle to take while starting your scan and then, how you will move around the area to capture the entirety of the room. When scanning multiple rooms, scan the first one, then hit next and scan the next room and the next one until you have a complete 3D floor plan.   
• Slow and Steady Wins - For the most precise results, hold your device steady and move it at a slow, but consistent pace. Capture every angle and detail of the room side to side and up and down to ensure every aspect  is covered from ceiling to floor. 
• Lighting the Space - Natural light is ideal for getting the highest quality scan. But if there is insufficient light coming through the windows and doors, balance the artificial lighting to illuminate the space evenly. Avoid shadows that will darken an area or harsh direct lighting that could cause reflections.
• Add Floors - While  working on a multi-story home, scan the main floor, then head to the next floor, and repeat. Soon, you will have a multi-level 3D plan of the entire property to present to your client. 

Transforming a Scan to a Plan

With the scanning complete, here are some suggestions for developing your plan before sending it to your client.

• Add the Finishing Touches - Once the entire space is scanned, the Houzz Pro app generates an initial floor plan. Then you can choose to display or hide elements such as existing furniture and view the final floor plan in both 2D and 3D formats directly on your mobile device.
• Customize with the 3D Floor Planner -The Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner lets you customize and edit any detail. Adjust room dimensions, easily add and move walls or doors, and make any other change to fit the proposal of your client’s dreams. The platform automatically syncs the data for a seamless workflow between the mobile app and the desktop version of the Floor Planner.

Bonus Tips For Scanning an Existing Floor Plan 

• Scan Multiple Angles -To capture the full picture, scan from different angles especially in corners and other hard-to-reach areas.
• Picture the Room Through Your Client’s Eye - While scanning and editing your floor plan, consider your client’s point of view, and what elements will be most important to them in deciding whether to choose you for their project. For more details on the client’s perspective when reviewing their 3D Floor Plan, check out these examples in our Houzz Pro guide. 
• Clear Obstacles - With LiDAR, you don’t have to move furniture, but your scan will come out more accurately if you move items that might block the scanner’s view, or your path. If it’s not possible to relocate fixed or large objects, scan around them, ensuring a full 360-degree view.
• Avoid  Reflective Surfaces - Mirrors and other reflective items can trick the sensor into seeing other shapes, so either cover them or turn them around.
• Check Your Scan Regularly - As you scan, frequently review your device to make sure the scanner is capturing the room the way you intended. Houzz Pro offers real-time feedback so it is easy to revise along the way.

The Houzz Pro mobile app with LiDAR scanning is easy to use and can help you transform any space into a professional 3D floor plan, with stunning visuals that are sure to wow and inspire clients. 

Check out the entire Houzz Pro Tricks and Tips series for ways our all-in-one business management software for contractors and design pros can do the heavy lifting for you.