Systems and methods for acquiring information for a construction site are provided. One system includes a base unit positioned within a construction site by a user. A computer subsystem of the base unit determines a position of the base unit with respect to the construction site. The system also includes a measurement unit moved within the construction site by a user. The measurement unit includes one or more elements configured to interact with light in a known manner. An optical subsystem of the base unit directs light to the element(s) and detects the light after interacting with the element(s). The computer subsystem is configured to determine a position and pose of the measurement unit with respect to the base unit based on the detected light. The measurement unit includes a measurement device used by the measurement unit or the base unit to determine information for the construction site.