NEN 2580 is the Dutch standard for measuring the floor areas and volumes of buildings. It is the basis for official measurement reports in the Netherlands and is used by Funda, estate agents, valuers and banks.
Why does NEN 2580 matter?
When you sell or buy a home, you want to know exactly how many square metres you are getting. But how do you measure that precisely? Do you count the walls? And what about a sloped roof?
NEN 2580 answers all of these questions. The standard defines exactly how to measure, so that everyone uses the same method and floor areas are comparable.
The main categories
NEN 2580 splits the floor area into categories:
- GOW (usable living area): the living space shown on Funda
- GOOIR: other indoor space, such as an internal garage
- GOGBR: building-related outdoor space, such as a balcony
- GOEB: external storage, such as a detached shed
Sloped-ceiling deduction
A notable rule in NEN 2580 is the sloped-ceiling deduction: space under a sloped roof where the height is less than 1.50 metres does not count as living area. VLAK factors this into the calculation; you verify the heights yourself in the review screen.
BBMI: the practical implementation
NVM, VBO and VastgoedPRO jointly created the BBMI (industry-wide measurement instruction). It is the practical implementation of NEN 2580 that the major estate-agent organisations follow. VLAK calculates fully in line with this instruction.
Measure it yourself with VLAK
With VLAK you scan a property with your iPhone and automatically get a NEN 2580-compliant measurement report. You check every room yourself and the calculation is fully transparent.
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