From Scan to Sketch: Making Apple's RoomPlan ANSI-Compliant for Appraisers

Technology has transformed nearly every part of real estate appraisal except one of the most time-consuming tasks: accurate floor plan sketches. Apple's RoomPlan, powered by ARKit and LiDAR, brings real promise here — fast, detailed interior scans using just an iPhone or iPad. The catch: RoomPlan's raw output isn't directly ANSI-compliant, which matters because ANSI Z765 defines exactly how appraisers must measure Gross Living Area (GLA).

Why interior-surface measurement understates GLA

Under ANSI Z765, finished above-grade area is measured at floor level to the exterior finished surface of outside walls for detached homes, or to the centerline of shared walls for attached units — an approach that keeps wall thickness, ceiling height, and finished-vs-unfinished distinctions consistent across reports. Because GLA directly drives value conclusions and comparability, measuring from interior surfaces the way RoomPlan does can understate total living area, creating discrepancies that affect report accuracy, lender review, and compliance.

The hybrid path forward

The practical path forward is a hybrid approach: use the scan to accelerate inspection and sketching, then apply conversion rules and a quick validation step so the final GLA matches the standard definitions appraisers already rely on — letting the scan do the heavy lifting while keeping appraisal judgment and verification in the loop. That's the combination apprAIz is building toward: faster inspections without sacrificing the defensibility that lenders and reviewers expect. RoomPlan is a genuinely powerful starting point; with careful conversion and validation, it becomes a credible tool for standards-aligned, defensible appraisal work.