An informative floor plan is one of the strongest elements of a property brochure: It shows the room layout at a glance, builds trust and appeals precisely to those prospective buyers who genuinely intend to buy. According to a frequently cited study by the Rightmove portal, one in five prospective buyers completely skips a listing if no floor plan is included. We show you where to get a floor plan, how to prepare it attractively – furnished if needed – and why it accelerates the sale.
Why a Floor Plan Enhances the Property Brochure
Photos show what an individual room looks like – only the floor plan explains how the rooms relate to one another. Anyone who sees it understands the layout, routes and cardinal direction without having entered the property. This offers several advantages:
- Orientation: Prospective buyers grasp the layout within seconds and immediately know whether the property matches their expectations.
- Trust: An openly presented floor plan signals that you have nothing to hide – this comes across as professional.
- Fewer Unproductive Viewings: Anyone who makes an enquiry after studying the floor plan has already been pre-qualified. You save time on unsuitable appointments.
- Emotion: When looking at the floor plan, buyers imagine their own furniture and possible conversions – this creates attachment.
- Visibility: Listings with floor plans are viewed for longer on portals and saved more frequently.
All in all, a good floor plan shortens the marketing period because it attracts the right people from the outset.
What Types of Floor Plans Are There?
Not every floor plan is suitable for a property brochure. These variants are common:
- Technical 2D floor plan (black and white, dimensioned): the classic architectural drawing with dimension lines. Precise, but often austere and difficult for laypeople to read.
- Coloured 2D floor plan: the same plan with subtle colours for floors and walls. Much more inviting and the usual standard in a property brochure.
- Furnished floor plan: additionally showing suggested furniture such as a bed, sofa and dining table. It helps to assess proportions and makes rooms appear more lively.
- 3D floor plan: a spatial “dollhouse” view from an angle above. Particularly attractive for high-quality properties, but more elaborate and expensive.
For most sales, a coloured, subtly furnished 2D floor plan is the best combination of clarity and impact. A 3D view is particularly worthwhile in the higher-end segment.
Where can I get a floor plan?
Which route is fastest depends on which documents are already available.
From your own documents
First, check your purchase and construction documents. The original building plans are often included, and for condominiums, the allocation plans from the declaration of division are also included. These drawings are an ideal template—even if they still need to be prepared for the property brochure.
From the building file at the building authority
If you cannot find anything, the building file held by the lower building supervisory authority can help. Among other things, it contains the building permit, the approved building plans, area calculations, and the building description. As a rule, only the owner or a person with written authorization may inspect it; ownership must be proven, for example, with an extract from the land register or purchase agreement (Inspection of building files, BayernPortal). The fees are manageable but vary depending on the municipality. Allow some lead time, as the file often first has to be retrieved from the archive.
From the architect, property developer, or property management company
For newer buildings, it is worth contacting the architect or property developer, who usually keep the plans digitally. For condominiums, the property management company may also be able to help.
Have it measured again
If no usable plan exists, the floor plan can be recorded anew—traditionally with a folding rule, more conveniently with a laser distance meter or a smartphone app that automatically measures rooms. For properties with complex layouts, a measurement service provider can handle this.
From rough plan to sales-ready floor plan
An old building drawing is rarely attractive. For a convincing property brochure, you should prepare the floor plan. An appealing plan is characterized by:
- clear, uncluttered lines instead of yellowed copies
- a consistent style across all floors, including the basement and attic
- labeled rooms with square-meter specifications
- a north arrow and a scale for orientation
- subtle colors and—where appropriate—symbolic furnishings
There are two ways to implement this: use a floor plan app such as MagicPlan or Roomle and design it yourself, or commission a specialized service provider to turn your sketch into a sales-ready plan—often within one or two working days.
How much does a professional floor plan cost?
The Prices depend on the effort and level of detail. As a rough guide:
- Simple digitization of an existing drawing: from around 20 euros.
- Vectorization as a clean CAD plan: around 80 to 250 euros net per floor.
- Digitization with spot-check measurements: around 200 to 500 euros net per floor.
- Complete laser measurement: around 250 to 600 euros net per apartment, 600 to 1,500 euros net per single-family house.
- 3D floor plan: roughly twice the cost of a comparable 2D plan; individual color and furnishing concepts cost extra.
Considering that a good floor plan speeds up marketing, this is money well invested in most cases.
Create it yourself or have it created: advantages and disadvantages
- Advantage of doing it yourself (app): inexpensive, fast, and with full control over the result.
- Disadvantage of doing it yourself: you need some time to familiarize yourself with it, and the plan does not always look professional.
- Advantage of a service provider: consistent, high-quality appearance without any effort on your part.
- Disadvantage of a service provider: costs are incurred, and there is a short waiting period until delivery.
Those selling only one property and placing value on a flawless presentation are usually better advised to use a service provider. Those who are practically skilled or manage several properties will generally save money with an app.
Floor plan and living space: what you need to consider
As soon as you provide square-meter figures, they should be accurate. For living space, the Living Space Ordinance (WoFlV) is the usual standard. The calculation according to ceiling height is particularly important: areas beneath sloping roofs count fully only from a clear height of two meters, half between one and two meters, and not at all below one meter. Balconies, loggias, roof gardens, and terraces are generally counted at one quarter (§ 4 WoFlV). Living space stated too generously in the sales brochure can later lead to disputes or claims for damages—therefore, check the information carefully.
FAQ about the floor plan for the sales brochure
Do I absolutely need a floor plan in the sales brochure?
It is not required. In practice, however, prospective buyers expect one—especially for apartments and houses. Without a floor plan, you are missing out on inquiries and trust.
Where can I get a floor plan if I have no documents?
Request the building file from the building authority or contact the architect, developer, or Property management. If nothing can be found, the floor plan can be recreated using an app or by a measurement service provider.
Should the floor plan be furnished?
Subtle, symbolic furnishings help put proportions into perspective and make rooms more tangible. Do not overdo it – the plan should remain legible and not appear cluttered.
Does the living area in the floor plan have to be accurate?
Yes. Incorrect area specifications can be costly. Follow the Living Space Ordinance and, when in doubt, err on the side of caution.
How much does a professional floor plan cost?
The simple processing of an existing drawing is available from around 20 euros; a clean CAD plan usually costs between 80 and 250 euros per floor. An on-site measurement or a 3D view costs correspondingly more.
Conclusion
An appealing floor plan is one of the most effective components of a property brochure – it provides orientation, builds trust, and attracts the right prospective buyers. First check your own documents; otherwise, consult the building file or a measurement service and have the plan professionally prepared. Ensure that the area specifications are correct according to the Living Space Ordinance, and a straightforward architectural drawing becomes a genuine selling point.