Business Model | LiDAR Property Assessment

Commercial Potential

Beyond academic research, this project demonstrates significant commercial potential for addressing Ireland's housing crisis through technology-enabled property assessment.

With approximately 81,000 long-term vacant properties in Ireland and traditional assessment methods costing €2,500–10,000 per property, LiDAR-based assessment represents a potential market opportunity of €20–80 million while significantly reducing the time and cost of property evaluations—though regulatory and ownership barriers remain major redevelopment challenges.

Implementation Models

Four distinct business models have been identified for implementing LiDAR property assessment at scale:

Government Partnership

Collaboration with local authorities and national housing agencies to implement LiDAR assessment for public housing stock.

Public-private partnership structure
Centralised property database
Integration with planning systems

Commercial Service

Providing property assessment as a service to developers, investors, and property owners interested in redeveloping derelict buildings.

Tiered pricing model
Subscription services
Value-added reporting

Community Initiative

Enabling community-led housing initiatives through accessible technology and knowledge transfer.

Equipment lending program
Community training workshops
Open-source assessment tools

SaaS Platform

Developing a software-as-a-service platform for property professionals to manage their own scanning and assessment.

Cloud-based processing
Automated measurements
API integration capabilities

Cost-Benefit Analysis

A direct comparison between traditional assessment methods and LiDAR-based approaches reveals significant cost savings:

Traditional Assessment Costs

Service	Average Cost (€)
Building Survey	1,200 - 3,500
Architectural Assessment	1,500 - 3000
Structural Engineer Report	800 - 1,500
Measured Building Survey	1,200 - 2,000
Total Cost Range	5,700 - 11,000

LiDAR Assessment Costs

Service	Average Cost (€)
LiDAR Scanning	250 - 450
3D Model Processing	100 - 300
Structural Analysis	200 - 400
Comprehensive Report	150 - 300
Total Cost Range	700 - 1,450

Potential Cost Savings: 78-87%

Fig 1: Cost comparison between traditional and LiDAR-based property assessment methods

Market Analysis

Target Markets

Local Authorities: 31 county and city councils responsible for public housing.
Housing Agencies: National bodies focused on housing development and management.
Property Developers: Firms specialising in restoration and redevelopment projects.
Architectural Firms: Practices seeking advanced assessment tools.
Community Housing Groups: Organisations advocating for community-led housing solutions.
Individual Property Owners: Owners of vacant or derelict buildings seeking assessment solutions.

Market Size

81,000 vacant properties identified across Ireland.
€20-80 million estimated market for traditional property assessments.
€5.6-11.2 million projected annual investment in property renovations.
3000+ active property developers and architectural firms in Ireland.
31 local authorities overseeing housing responsibilities.
166 registered housing associations and cooperatives.

Competitive Landscape

Traditional Surveyors: Established but costly property assessment services.
Professional LiDAR Services: High-precision scanning with specialised equipment.
Digital Property Tools: Software solutions that lack integrated hardware capabilities.
DIY Assessment Tools: Low-cost alternatives with limited accuracy and support.
BIM/CAD Services: Advanced technical solutions requiring specialised expertise.

Growth Strategy

Phase 1: Initial pilot programs with local authorities (6-12 months).
Phase 2: Commercial launch targeting property developers (12-18 months).
Phase 3: Development and rollout of a SaaS assessment platform (18-24 months).
Phase 4: Community engagement initiatives and knowledge-sharing programs (24-36 months).
Phase 5: Expansion into international markets with similar housing challenges (36+ months).

Financial Sustainability

Revenue Streams

Direct Assessment Services: Fee-for-service scanning and modelling
Software Licensing: SaaS platform subscription fees
Training Programs: Professional development courses
Government Contracts: Public sector implementation agreements
Data Analytics: Aggregated property insights and reporting
Consulting Services: Strategic implementation guidance

Funding Options

Research Grants: Innovation funding from Science Foundation Ireland
Housing Agency Partnerships: Co-funded implementation projects
Enterprise Ireland Support: Commercialisation funding
EU Innovation Programs: Horizon Europe funding for housing solutions
Private Investment: Angel and venture capital funding
University Spinout: Academic commercialisation pathway