Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a virtual tour?
A: A virtual tour is a digital representation of a physical space that allows viewers to explore and interact with the space from their computer, tablet or smartphone.
Q: Others offer Matterport tours as well. What makes yours special?
A: I have hardware equipped with lidar that gets specifications and measurements within 1% of reality. My equipment allows for immersive outdoor tours, which cheaper 3D cameras or cell phones cannot do. I’m trained and familiar with creating guided tours, info spots, editing/removal unwanted things like reflections during post processing. Sometimes jobs do not render correctly, I have premium support with Matterport and are familiar with repairing jobs and technicalities that come with creating virtual tours. I also am equipped to do larger scale commercial properties and familiar with the stitching service/pricing Matterport offers.
I also can offer alternatives to Matterport because I’m familiar with the software and equipment. Don’t like Matterport, no problem, let’s find a solution that works for you. :)
Q: I can do my own photos, why choose you?
A: No problem! I understand that there isn’t anything proprietary or special in taking photos. Similar to plumbing and installing a kitchen sink. While anyone can install a sink, it may not be a core competency for some folks. It’s all about what is important to you and what is the best use of time. Some people love taking photos, while others maybe can’t stand the idea of doing it or simply just don’t have the time. I can promise great quality, great customer service, and a quick turn around!
Q: How long does it take to do a Platinum Package?
A: Depends on the size of the property. Usually a standard I mention to customers is 1 hour for exterior+drone photos, 1 hour for interior photos, and 1 to 2 hours for a virtual tour. So 3 to 4 hours in most cases. If there are people on site or animals in the hours, this can dramatically increase the time needed on site. Any video needs will add to the time on site as well depending on the request.
Q: How long does it take to do a Basic/Gold Package?
A: If the home is stages and clean, I can usually get the photos done within 1 to 2 hours. 1 hour is possible if need be, I just hate to rush and miss something. If something is missed, then we have to do a revisit which isn’t ideal for us, you, or the client.
Q: Do you charge for reshoots?
A: At this time I do not! I don’t mind going out to capture something I may have missed or retake a photo we weren’t happy with. However if it is a long distance, a travel fee may be applied depending on the situation.
Q: Who owns the photos/videos from the job? You or the client?
A: Photo rights can get very complex. We do our best to keep it simple and light. If you purchase our services, the photos and videos you are free to use however you see fit as far as a listing or marketing. Reselling of our work is not allowed.
Q: Do you sell or give out the photos you take for one customer and reuse for another customer?
A: No, ethically this isn’t right. We will redo the job even if the results are similar.
Q: Do you charge a travel fee?
A: We do in select situations. We say if it is over 60 miles or 1+ hour of travel time, we have a $50 charge. This can be packaged together with other jobs. As an example, if I had 3 jobs with the same client in Duluth, I would only charge a $50 travel fee and not $150 (per job). This allows us for get multiple jobs for a single location at the best possible price for our clients.
Q: What type of drone services do you offer?
A: We specialize in real estate and commercial photography. However we are open to doing many various custom jobs. Some examples of this are specific photos of a building or landscape, time lapse videos, short marketing type videos for real estate, single photos of a persons property, concerts, special events (Boo at the Zoo, Bentleyville, etc.). Cost will be different based on every job, but as a standard I’ll bill based on the hours estimated to complete the job. Time + materials.
Q: It isn’t a nice day today, can we reschedule?
A: Yes, however sometimes rescheduling isn’t possible for several days later depending on our workload. This may or may not work out for our clients.
Keep in mind, we can do a lot with our post editing processing. Swap out skies, change shadows, illuminate lights, remove fog, etc. The most common need to rescheduling is when it is down pouring rain. While I can make swap out for a sunny sky or sunset, it is difficult to make the ground look perfectly dry or remove puddles from the ground.
Also, blue skies mixed with clouds can make for an outstanding exterior photo!
Q: It was kind of cloudy and rainy, we decided to schedule the job but wasn’t thrilled with the end product? Can we redo? Is there an added cost?
A: This would be considered a retake. We don’t mind at all, we will schedule a retake as soon as possible. Often times this is only exterior photos, which doesn’t take more than an hour. Only consideration is that there may be a travel fee depending on the travel time or distance.
Q: How soon can we schedule you to do a job?
A: I’ll come same day if possible, but doesn’t work out often. Normally within 24 hours I can be scheduled, however depending on the season and traffic that is coming in, a safe estimate is 1 week out.
Q: Do you work on weekends?
A: Yes, I’m willing to schedule jobs on weekends!
Q: I’d like for you to change the color of the walls, add grass/landscaping, remove cracks in the driveway, remove stains from the home, etc. Can you accommodate?
A: Yes! Ethically I do worry about mis representing a property, but this is not my job. My job is to do what you need to the best of my abilities. If we are altering reality in anyway this is responsibility of my client and I will only do what is requested. I will not do this often though without special request.
Q: Is your pricing negotiable?
A: I’m open to having a conversation. There are a lot of factors to consider. Distance, volume, simplicity, readiness, etc. If you are a great client, I’m happy to give you a great price!
Q: How quickly can you turn around images?
A: We can usually turn around everything within 12 to 24 hours. Same day can be difficult to accommodate, especially if photos are done in the evening hours. If you just need a few photos to get a listing going, let us know ahead of time. We can put together a few to get you by until the rest of the images are completed.
Q: Why are twilight photos so expensive?
A: Twilight photos can only happen once a day and are time intensive to capture. We wait for the twilight time, 30 minutes before and after sunrise/sunset. Lights and windows need to be staged prior. Lighting needs to be checked and adjusted just right. Not every shoot is the same as well, settings and setup will be different based on the landscapes, lighting in the home, weather, etc. There is a very short window to capture these photos, sometimes only 15 minutes, which can create retakes if the first round doesn’t go well. As it is currently we do not charge for retakes. These shoots also create late hours of capturing and editing for myself and my family, especially if the job needs to be ready by the next day.
Our Virtual Twilight service is a budget friendly alternative for some clients.
Q: What if I just schedule the job at twilight? Do I still get charged for a twilight photo?
A: Unfortunately yes. The twilight photo takes dedicated time and preparation. A twilight photo is to not be confused though with simply capturing a sunset. For examples please refer to our portfolio section. In addition, depending on the time of year, a twilight photo may need to happen as late as 9 PM. Our standard operating hours are usually concluded by 5:30 PM CST.
Q: Do you share jobs on social media?
A: Yes! I’m always looking to showcase my work. If for some reason you’d rather I do not, just let me know. Otherwise I often will do shout outs and posts to my social media about listings, who i did the listing with, links to your website, etc.
Q: Do you sell prints?
A: Yes! Sort of. We do not handle the prints personally, but we utilize a Print on Demand store. We also handle special requests. So if there is a shirt or print of something you would like, we are happy to accommodate. We just pass on the charge of whichever vendor we use to you. No mark up.
Q: What kind of properties can you create virtual tours for?
A: We can create virtual tours for a wide range of properties, including homes, apartments, commercial properties, hotels, and event venues. There are countless applications.
Q: Why are you asking me for the address ahead of time? Can’t I just give it to you the day prior to our appointment?
A: We need to prepare for the project. This involves examining the property, looking at older pictures of the property, getting an idea on how large or complex the property is, etc. If we are providing drone services, we need to look at sectional maps to make sure there are not any flight restrictions, check weather, elevation, etc.
Q: How long does it take to create a virtual tour?
A: The time it takes to create a virtual tour depends on the size of the property and the complexity of the tour. A typical virtual tour takes anywhere from a few hours to a few days to complete. As an example, properties around 2000 sq ft can take 1 to 2 hours to get the basic tour together, however we can spend10+ hours on a tour depending on the needs. Taking photos, editing, creating the guided tour for various platforms, edits, info spots created, etc.
Outdoor tours are much more complex and require many retakes, assume to be closer to 2 to 3 hours for outdoor captures. This is due to the lighting, variables included being outside, trees, uneven terrain, etc.
Q: How much does a virtual tour cost?
A: The cost of a virtual tour varies depending on the size of the property and the features included in the tour. As an example, properties around 2000 sq ft can cost around $300 on average depending on what features you are looking for. If the tour needs to be active on a long term basis, annual hosting fee may apply. Larger properties may cost more. It is best to lay out a clear expectations up front to make sure you get the best product for the least amount of time and fastest turnaround. We always encourage clients to contact us for custom pricing and verification.
Q: How do I pay and retrieve my files?
A: We use a project delivery platform that will deliver your content via email. This integrates directly with our payment and accounting system. You will have the option to pay via debit/credit card or ACH transfer. Once paid, you will be able to download all your content instantly.
Q: Can you create a virtual tour with our existing photos?
A: Unfortunately we cannot. The cameras have to be taken in a 360 degree format then put into software to be processed for the specific tour we want to create. Even if you had the 360 degree photos, we still want to make sure every detail is being considered when taking the photos. So it is best to have us come to perform the photo shoot.
Q: Why are you taking so many pictures?
A: We want to make sure we have every photo we need so that we don’t have to return on site. For the virtual tour specifically, we need perform a 3D scan every so many feet depending on the property. This can result in 150+ scans, which is why virtual tours can take 1 to 2 hours to complete.
Q: How can I use a virtual tour for my business?
A: A virtual tour can be used to showcase your property to potential buyers, renters or customers. It can be embedded on your website, shared on social media, or included in your marketing materials. You can also directly link to an estore if you sell products! A link will be provided to you once the project is completed.
Q: Can I make changes to the virtual tour after it is created?
A: Yes, we can make changes to the virtual tour after it is created. Please contact us to discuss any changes or updates you would like to make.
Q: What are the RAW photos?
A: These are the photos that come directly from camera equipment. They are not processed. This allows clients that are more advanced to do various types of tasks with these photos. If you are interested in receiving the RAW photos, you can request this at the time of scheduling.
Q: How can I share my virtual tour?
A: Your virtual tour can be shared on your website, social media, email, or through a link that can be embedded in your marketing materials. We can offer limited assistance with getting you setup if need be.
Q: What hardware do you use for photos and creating virtual tours?
A: We use professional-grade equipment, including cameras and software, to create high-quality virtual tours that showcase your property in the best possible way. We standardize on Canon cameras, 3D camera with lidar, and DJI drones. We have the right lenses for the right situation, self leveling tripods, backup equipment, etc.
Q: What software do you use for photos and creating virtual tours?
A: Some may think we only use Adobe, but so far from the reality. We have several different applications we use in our post edit process. It’s a combination of Adobe products, along with 3rd party AI tools, graphics generating, different video editing tools depending on the complexity of the project.
Q: I have a business and paid for a virtual tour. Why is there a monthly charge?
A: There is a cost for us to host our virtual tours whether it be with Matterport, CloudPano, etc. The monthly charges covers that charge in addition any future support you may need with your virtual tour. This can be cancelled at any time. Just understand that if you discontinue payment, the virtual tour will be disabled. Real estate listings do not have this because typically they are only listed for a short period of time. If the monthly fee is a deal breaker for you, please let us know. We can always transfer the tour to your own account and you can handle the hosting fee directly. Some customers prefer this while others just want someone else to manage the hosting account.
Q: What is the resolution of the virtual tours?
A: Our virtual tours are created in 6K - HDR - high resolution with a 3D camera, providing crisp, clear images that allow viewers to fully experience the property.
Q: Can I add text or labels to the virtual tour?
A: Yes, we can add text or labels to the virtual tour to provide additional information about the property. These are known as info spots. This is a part of our gold/platinum package. This can take a lot of time if not planned and organized properly.
Q: Can virtual tours be customized to match my brand?
A: Yes, we can customize virtual tours to match your brand, including adding your logo and using your brand colors depending on which platform you choose to go with. We can do other neat options like lead generation, live virtual tours for clients, and much more.
Q: How can virtual tours help with remote sales?
A: Virtual tours can be used to showcase properties to potential buyers who are not able to visit in person, making it easier to close deals remotely.
Q: What is the difference between a virtual tour and a video tour?
A: A virtual tour is an interactive experience that allows viewers to explore a property at their own pace, while a video tour is a linear presentation that is not interactive.
Q: How long does it take to get the final virtual tour product?
A: We typically deliver the final virtual tour product within 48-72 hours of completing the tour. However, larger or more complex tours may require additional time. If the rendering of the final product is glitched or has issues, it can take up 5 business days to resolve with support. This doesn’t happen often, but does happen.
Q: Do I need to prepare the property before the virtual tour?
A: Yes, it is important to prepare the property before the virtual tour to ensure it looks its best. We will provide you with a list of tips and guidelines for preparing the property. Good rule is if you can see it, so can the camera.
Q: Why are floor plans within 1% to 4%?
A: This is mainly due to the type of camera being used. While 4% may result in only a few inches being off, sometimes that can be the difference when hiring contractors. The equipment we use is professional grade and gets us within 1% of reality. Cheaper 3D cameras such as Theta or Insta360 will not be accurate as compared to cameras that use lidar.
Q: Do you do Drone photography?
A: Yes! We are FAA 107 certified, drones registered, and insured to take on any project.
Q: Do you shoot videos?
A: We do have the equipment to do video shots, but due to the intense amount of time it takes to edit and stitch together video, this is not a service we advertise. If there is something you are interested in, certainly bring it up. Depending on what you are looking for and the difficulty of the shot, we may be able to accommodate. :)
Q: What is the quality of the images/videos?
A: Images are HDR 26.2 megapixel images and the video ranges from 1080P to 4K UHD 2160P.