Commercial Floor Plans vs NLA Measurements
What Commercial Agents Actually Need
Commercial floor plans are commonly used when marketing office and warehouse properties for sale or lease in Perth and across Australia.
However, agents and property owners sometimes ask whether they need a Net Lettable Area (NLA) measurement instead of a marketing floor plan.
While the two are related, they serve very different purposes. Understanding the difference helps ensure the right information is used at the right stage of a property transaction.
What Is a Marketing Floor Plan?
A marketing floor plan is designed to help prospective buyers or tenants understand the layout of a space.
These plans typically show:
the overall layout of the tenancy
room or area labels
entry points and internal circulation
approximate dimensions
the general shape and configuration of the space
Marketing floor plans are primarily used in:
online listings
Information Memorandums (IMs)
leasing brochures
marketing campaigns
They help prospective tenants or buyers quickly visualise how a space could function for their business.
For most commercial listings, a marketing floor plan provides all the information required for the campaign.
What Is an NLA Measurement?
Net Lettable Area (NLA) is a formal method used to calculate the area of a commercial tenancy.
It follows industry measurement guidelines to determine the portion of a building that can be leased to a tenant.
NLA measurements are typically used for:
lease documentation
rental calculations
building valuations
asset management records
Because the measurement must follow specific rules, NLA plans are usually prepared by specialist building measurement professionals or surveyors.
Why NLA and Floor Plans Are Often Confused
Many people assume that the total internal area of a tenancy automatically equals the Net Lettable Area.
In practice, this is often not the case.
NLA calculations exclude certain parts of a building that are not considered lettable space. For example:
stairwells
lift shafts
plant rooms
common corridors
building services areas
In some situations, walls between adjoining tenancies are measured to the centreline, meaning each tenancy is allocated 50% of the wall thickness.
Because of these rules, the final NLA figure may differ from the total area someone might estimate from a simple floor plan.
Do Agents Need an NLA Plan for Marketing?
In most cases, no.
During the marketing stage, agents typically require a clear floor plan showing the layout of the property so prospective tenants or buyers can understand the space.
Formal NLA measurements are usually addressed later when:
lease documentation is prepared
building measurements are required for asset records
a valuation requires confirmed lettable areas
For this reason, many commercial listings use marketing floor plans rather than formal NLA plans.
Using Floor Plans for Future Fit-Outs and Design
While marketing floor plans are primarily created for leasing or sales campaigns, the information captured during the process can also be useful later for architects, designers and fit-out contractors.
Once a property has been captured and measured, it is possible to generate additional technical files in the future, including:
DWG floor plan files for CAD software
Point cloud files for accurate building measurements
BIM models used by architects and design teams
These files allow architects and designers to import the space directly into their design software when planning refurbishments or tenant fit-outs.
This means the original floor plan captured for marketing can later support more detailed design work without needing to recapture the building.
For property owners and asset managers, this can provide an additional long-term benefit from the original building capture.
Commercial Floor Plan Pricing (Perth)
Our pricing for office and warehouse floor plans is based on the size of the property.
Property SizePrice (ex GST)≤100m²$175200m²$200300m²$225400m²$250500m²$275600m²$300700m²$325800m²$350900m²$375>1000m²On Quote
Because commercial properties can vary significantly in layout and complexity, larger buildings are quoted individually.
About R24 Commercial Floor Plans
R24 provides commercial floor plans for office, warehouse and retail properties across Perth and Western Australia.
Our plans are designed specifically for property marketing, helping agents clearly present the layout of a space in online listings, Information Memorandums and leasing campaigns.
Because our team works across both residential and commercial properties, we are able to respond quickly to time-critical marketing campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do commercial listings require an NLA measurement?
In most cases, no. Commercial listings typically use marketing floor plans to show the layout of the space. Formal Net Lettable Area measurements are usually prepared later when lease documentation or building records require precise area calculations.
Are marketing floor plans accurate?
Marketing floor plans are measured on site and designed to represent the layout of the property. However, they are primarily intended for marketing and visualisation rather than formal building measurement standards such as NLA.
What types of properties use marketing floor plans?
Marketing floor plans are commonly used for:
office suites
warehouses
retail shops
strata commercial properties
They help prospective tenants or buyers understand the layout before arranging an inspection.
Related Resources
You may also find these guides helpful:
Commercial Floor Plans in Perth – Pricing Guide
What Areas Are Included in Net Lettable Area (NLA)?
What Real Estate Agents Look for in a Floor Plan Provider