Commercial virtual tours command different pricing than residential work—and rightfully so. Non-residential properties have complexity, scale, and client expectations that shift your cost structure entirely. Understanding how to price these projects protects your margins while staying competitive.
Why Commercial Tours Cost More
Residential virtual tours typically run $300–$800 per property. Commercial projects start at $1,500 and climb based on square footage, property type, and technical requirements. A 10,000 sq ft warehouse needs more capture time, processing power, and often specialized equipment than a 2,000 sq ft apartment.
Commercial clients also expect faster turnaround, higher resolution imagery, interactive floor plans with measurements, and sometimes integration with existing property management software. These deliverables require skill, rendering time, and support—none of which you can charge residential rates for.
Pricing Structure by Property Type
Different commercial property types justify different price points:
- Office buildings: $2,000–$5,000 (multiple floors, meeting rooms, common areas)
- Retail/showrooms: $1,500–$3,500 (emphasis on layout flow and sightlines)
- Warehouses/industrial: $2,500–$6,000 (large open spaces, equipment visibility)
- Hospitality (hotels, restaurants): $3,000–$8,000 (mood lighting, detailed room staging)
- Medical/professional offices: $2,000–$4,500 (compliance requirements, privacy zones)
- Multi-unit residential complexes: $4,000–$10,000+ (lobby, amenities, multiple unit types)
These ranges assume standard 360° photography, basic floor plan, and delivery within 2–3 weeks. Specialty work costs more.
Factors That Push Prices Higher
Your base rate is a starting point. Several factors justify premium pricing:
- Size: Anything over 15,000 sq ft typically adds 30–50% to your base quote.
- Number of floors: Each floor adds 20–35% unless they're identical (then you can charge less).
- 3D floor plans with measurements: These take 4–8 hours of work per floor; charge $400–$800 per floor or bundle into package pricing.
- Matterport or similar software integration: Add $300–$500 if the client wants their own branded space or advanced analytics.
- Drone/aerial shots: Add $500–$1,500 depending on property size and local regulations.
- Video editing/walkthrough overlay: Add $400–$1,000 for a polished video intro or guided tour layer.
- Rush delivery: Charge 25–40% upcharge for turnaround under 5 business days.
- Night photography or special lighting: Add $300–$600 if the space needs after-hours shoots for ambiance.
Packaging vs. À la Carte
Most successful commercial operators use tiered packages rather than pricing each element individually. This simplifies the sales conversation and improves your perceived value.
Example package structure:
- Starter: 360° tour + basic floor plan, up to 10,000 sq ft → $1,800
- Professional: 360° tour + detailed floor plan with measurements + drone footage, up to 15,000 sq ft → $3,500
- Enterprise: Everything above + video walkthrough + Matterport white-label setup + 3D floor plan, unlimited sq ft → $6,500+
Packages signal different experience levels and guide clients toward options that actually match their needs. It also eliminates the "can you just add one more floor for free?" conversation.
Selling Your Services
List your virtual tour and 3D floor plan services on platforms like Mercoly to reach property managers, commercial real estate agents, and facility owners actively searching for vendors. Your pricing structure becomes a competitive advantage when prospects can easily compare transparent packages.
Beyond listings, position yourself clearly: commercial properties need commercial-grade work. Your pricing reflects that. Clients who balk at $3,000 quotes typically aren't your target market—they're still shopping on price instead of value.
Building in Revision Limits
Always cap revisions in your contract. For commercial projects, include "up to 2 rounds of edits." Each additional round costs $200–$400. This prevents scope creep, which erodes margins faster on commercial jobs than residential ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I charge by square footage or by complexity? A: Complexity is better. A 5,000 sq ft medical office with privacy concerns takes longer than a 5,000 sq ft empty warehouse—same size, very different work.
Q: How do I quote a multi-unit residential complex differently from a single commercial property? A: Charge per unit type (don't shoot all 30 identical units), then add a bundle fee for common areas (lobby, fitness center, parking). Typically $3,000–$6,000 total depending on number of unit types and amenities.
Q: Can I raise my rates if I add drone footage capability? A: Absolutely. Drone work is a specialized skill and carries insurance and certification costs—justify the $500–$1,500 premium in your pitch.
Start auditing your current commercial projects: you're likely underpricing compared to the work you're actually delivering.