VLAK vs. a traditional survey firm

As a property photographer, estate agent or energy-label advisor you regularly need a NEN 2580 report. You can hire a survey firm or scan it yourself with VLAK. What fits when?

Traditional survey firm

A survey firm sends someone over who measures the property by hand with a laser distance meter. The drawing and the report are produced back at the office.

• Turnaround: 1-3 business days
• Cost: typically €150-250 per home (incl. call-out charge)
• Your own logo: sometimes, at extra cost
• Weekend: usually not available

Scanning it yourself with VLAK

You scan the property yourself with an iPhone Pro. The app automatically produces the floor plan and the NEN 2580 report. You check and correct it in the review screen.

• Turnaround: straight after the scan
• Cost: a fixed, low rate per report (pricing announced at launch)
• Your own logo: included as standard
• Weekend: 7 days a week

When do you choose what?

Choose a survey firm if:

• You do not have an iPhone Pro with LiDAR
• It is a complex commercial building with multiple units
• You do not have time to scan it yourself
• The client explicitly requires an external firm

Choose VLAK if:

• You are already on site (photo shoot, viewing, energy label)
• You work at volume and want to cut costs
• You need the report the same day
• You want your own branding without an extra charge
• You work weekends or evenings

Conclusion

For most homes, scanning it yourself is faster and cheaper. A survey firm stays useful for exceptional situations or when you do not have suitable hardware. Many professionals combine both: VLAK for standard homes, a firm for complex projects.