Mapping San Diego Homes in High Definition: Why As-Built Documentation is Transforming Residential Design

LiDAR & As-Built Services in San Diego | Architecture | Digital Twins | Construction Planning | Surveying Expertise

San Diego’s most exclusive neighborhoods, La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, Coronado, and Point Loma are filled with high-value homes undergoing constant transformation. From luxury remodels to large-scale additions, residential architects in these areas face the same critical challenge: capturing a clear and accurate record of the existing property before design begins. At DCMS, we provide high-precision as-builts using advanced LiDAR and reality capture technology. Our toolkit includes the Leica RTC360, BLK2GO, BLK360, and Matterport Pro3, allowing us to adapt to each project’s scale and complexity. Whether scanning a full hillside estate or documenting interior details for an ADU, we deliver PDFs, CAD drawings, and BIM models architects can trust from day one.

These detailed as-builts are not just drawings—they are the backbone of the residential design process:

• For internal workflows: Architects use our documentation to explore layout options, test structural changes, and create realistic visualizations with confidence in every measurement.

• For permitting and approvals: Accurate as-builts streamline the submission of remodel or addition plans to the City of San Diego, reducing back-and-forth revisions and expediting approval timelines.

  
  

By eliminating uncertainty, our as-builts allow architects to focus on creativity while ensuring every design decision is grounded in precision.

Recent Residential Projects in San Diego

Luxury Residence in Rancho Santa Fe

In one of San Diego County’s most prestigious neighborhoods, this luxury residence required precise capture to support an extensive renovation. Our team documented both expansive exterior features and intricate interior layouts, ensuring accuracy across every level of the estate.

Deliverables:

• Full set of architectural as-builts (floor plans, elevations, roof/ceiling plans)

• LOD 300 Revit model for design coordination

• CAD drawings and multi-format outputs to support the client’s renovation goals

Hillside Home in Spring Valley

This 1,767 sq. ft. single-story residence required full as-built documentation to support future renovations. Using the Matterport Pro3, we captured both interiors and exterior features, including patios, fencing, and roof conditions with precision. The resulting CAD and Revit deliverables provided the client with a future-proof package for remodeling, permitting, and long-term planning.

Deliverables:

• Complete architectural as-builts (floor plans, roof/ceiling plans, elevations, sections)

• Coordinated Revit model generated from point cloud data

• Documentation aligned with long-term renovation goals

Modern Residence in San Diego Hillside

This 8,484 sq. ft. hillside home required precise documentation to address both its scale and complex terrain. Using LiDAR, we captured every architectural and structural element in detail, giving the design team a reliable foundation for renovation planning. The as-builts supported early structural decisions and ensured smoother coordination with engineers and contractors.

Deliverables:

• High-density point cloud and digital twin

• Revit and AutoCAD documentation (plans, schedules, elevations)

• Scalable outputs for architectural review and future design phases

Why It Matters for Residential Architects

Every remodel or addition in San Diego’s luxury housing market depends on a reliable foundation. Accurate as-builts deliver clear benefits:

• Fewer construction surprises – avoid costly rework caused by measurement errors.

• Faster design process – start directly from accurate, coordinated drawings.

• Clearer client communication – use digital models to present design options and “before & after” scenarios.

• Smoother permitting – provide precise documentation to city officials, accelerating approvals for remodels and expansions.

Start Your Project with Confidence

Whether you’re modernizing a coastal home in La Jolla, designing an ADU in Coronado, or expanding a hillside property in Rancho Santa Fe, our team delivers complete, accurate documentation using the latest LiDAR technology—tailored to your project’s unique needs.

Residential architects in San Diego: planning a remodel? Let’s connect and make sure your next design starts with the right foundation.