The ability to see behind the walls (and floors and ceilings) and travel back in time throughout construction is a superpower on any project, but it’s especially important on healthcare builds, where literal lives depend on systems functioning properly and reliably.
MEP exact-built reality capture features time-sensitive shoots that memorialize exactly where and how important systems (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and more) were built and installed prior to being hidden in slab pours or wall/ceiling cover-up. And, since timing is everything, Multivista reality capture specialists work closely with build teams to ensure they are on site capturing the photos or data before these important construction milestones to avoid costly demolition, delays, and rework.
With the images tied to digital, cloud-based floor plans, any project stakeholder can see exactly how the build came together.
The lasting value of construction photography
“Since the very earliest days of Multivista, MEP exact-built shoots have been among our most valuable offerings,” says Multivista co-founder and CEO Luis Pascual. “Right away, the industry realized these high-def photos held huge value well beyond the construction process. Facilities and maintenance teams absolutely loved them.”
On healthcare projects, especially, with so many complex, lifesaving systems running throughout the facility. Maintenance teams routinely use MEP documentation to find and fix issues with minimal or no destructive discovery, and huge time savings. The same goes for renovations.
Tasked with installing new monitors in 556 rooms in a busy hospital in Georgia, USA, teams used Multivista’s exact-built images to see behind the walls and locate the exact position to install wall mounts. “We were able to ensure we were not hitting anything critical and installing the mounts in the safest and most cost-effective locations,” says Bill Clawson, Vice President of Facilities for Northeast Georgia Health Systems. “With this project, Multivista saved us upwards of $100,000.”
MEP is essentially an X-ray of their facility, and Clawson adds that, “With every new renovation project, I ensure Multivista is a budgeted component.”
That train of thought is increasingly common. In healthcare projects and beyond, MEP exact-built remains one of the most popular types of construction photography services Multivista performs. According to our statistics from the first three months of 2026, Multivista reality capture technicians have already captured over 578,000 MEP photographs across 634 different projects. Healthcare teams are accustomed to seeing the value in having “x-ray photos” of their facilities, but with newer 3D laser scanning technology the “photos” are getting even more useful.
MEP and 3D laser scanning for construction
“Clients with more high-tech needs are using 3D laser scanning rather than traditional photographic MEP,” says Mark King, Multivista Senior Product Manager – Reality Capture. “They are scanning to document everything before cover up, but also, likely more importantly, to check if there are any deviations.”
Automated deviation analysis (checking the as-built point cloud data against the as-designed 3D model) is an increasingly useful tool for project teams working on complex builds or under tight schedules, when catching and fixing issues early is essential.
“In the future, I imagine we will see more and more people opting for 3D laser scanning to capture their MEP systems before cover-up,” King adds. “They’ll still get the photographic element, but there is rich, useful, and valuable data behind it.”
Multivista documentation specialist operates a 3D laser scanner on a jobsite
Reduced rework, better builds
Rework drives a large portion of construction budgets. In 2024, Neuroject reported that rework costs had risen to an estimated 12–15%, with the Construction Industry Institute reporting rework costs as high as 20%.
Visual reality capture services like MEP exact-built photos or laser scans show more than enough detail to determine the size, location, materials used, plus the dimensions of their MEP components. Teams are using this information to determine the exact location that needs attention faster, more efficiently, and with huge reductions in destructive discovery.
Top benefits of MEP reality capture
- Memorializes the reality of on-site conditions before they’re covered up
- Helps identify and prevent installation errors
- Leads to less destructive discovery if problems occur
- Offers a complete visual record of conditions after inspection
- Enables improved communication between contractors and subcontractors
- Provides third-party, time-and-date-stamped data for dispute resolution
On healthcare projects and beyond, quality, as-installed data, and photos of your MEP systems give “X-ray vision” to your entire project and facilities team. When and if an issue occurs, they can see through the walls to find and fix it as quickly and efficiently (and cost-effectively) as possible.
To learn more about how to implement MEP construction photography, 3D laser scanning services, or any other form of construction documentation services on your jobsite, reach out for a demo.
