What is the NEN 2580 standard?
The NEN 2580 standard is a guideline for accurately measuring the area and contents of buildings in the Netherlands. This standard was developed to guarantee uniform and reliable measurements, so that no differences arise between measurements of comparable properties. The purpose of the NEN 2580 measurement instruction is to prevent misunderstandings at important moments such as the sale, rental or valuation of a property.
What is a NEN 2580 measurement report?
A NEN 2580 measurement report is an official document that summarizes the results of a NEN measurement. This report details the usable area and gross volume of a home or building, divided into categories such as:
- Living area: this includes areas used for daily living, such as the living room and bedrooms.
- Use area other indoor space: these are spaces such as the attic or garage, which do not have a residential function.
The NEN 2580 report clearly distinguishes between these different spaces and describes the number of square meters available per room and per floor. This creates a reliable and clear picture of the property, which is indispensable for sales, rentals or appraisals.
A NEN 2580 measurement report is commonly used in the following situations:
- Sale or rental: buyers and tenants get a clear overview of available space, including living area and gross volume.
- Appraisals: appraisers use the report to correctly estimate the value of a property, based on the accurately measured area.
- Energy performance: when determining the energy performance of a home, the exact statement of the gross volume is important.
What do you need for a NEN 2580 measurement?
For an accurate NEN 2580 measurement, follow the correct measurement instruction and you will need the following tools:
- Tape measure or laser rangefinder: for accurate measurements, it is best to use a laser rangefinder. It allows you to measure the length, width and height of any room with great precision.
- Notebook or digital tool: jot down all your measurements or use a digital tool to keep an organized record of your measurements.
- Floor plan of the house: this makes it easier to see immediately which rooms you have already measured.
Once you have these tools ready, you can begin the first step of the measuring instruction.
Officially measuring according to the NEN 2580 standard?
The NEN 2580 standard is the official standard for accurately measuring the usable area and gross volume of dwellings and buildings in the Netherlands. This standard ensures a standardized and reliable way of measuring, which is essential when selling, renting or valuing a property. A NEN 2580 measurement report includes the exact floor area, room layout and other relevant data, such as the measurement of outdoor spaces.
Below you will read step by step how to officially measure your home according to the NEN 2580 standard with the correct measurement instruction:
1. Measurement of each room according to the NEN 2580 standard
The first step in measuring instructions is to accurately measure the length and width of each room. This forms the basis for calculating the total usable area of your home. Use a tape measure or laser rangefinder to measure from wall to wall. Make sure to ignore small obstacles, such as pipes or radiators, during the measurement, as they do not count towards the surface area according to the NEN 2580 standard.
- Measure the length and width of each room.
- Record the results to calculate the floor area later.
- Add up any different shapes separately to accurately capture the total space.
2. Measure height of each room according to the NEN 2580 standard.
After measuring the length and width, it is time to determine the height of the rooms. This is important for determining the content of the room. Measure from floor to ceiling and don't forget to include height differences in rooms such as attics. Measuring height correctly is an essential step in the measurement instruction to calculate the gross contents of your home.
- Measure the height from floor to ceiling.
- For pitched roofs, measure both the lowest and highest points.
- Note any differences in elevation.
3. Measuring outdoor spaces according to the NEN 2580 standard
Outdoor areas, such as balconies and terraces, must be measured separately. These fall under the category of building-related outdoor space and are listed separately in the NEN 2580 measurement report. For covered outdoor areas, you measure up to where the roof ends. For uncovered areas, you measure up to the edge of the floor or fence.
- Measure the length and width of the outdoor spaces.
- Distinguish between covered and uncovered areas.
- Add the total area of outdoor spaces to the measurement report.
4. Add up all the use area
When you finish measuring each room and outdoor space, add up the measured areas. This gives you the total usable area of your home. Make sure you distinguish between living areas, other indoor areas and outdoor areas so you have a clear overview for the NEN 2580 measurement report.
- Add up the areas of all the rooms.
- List outdoor spaces separately.
- Calculate the total use area of the house.
5. Making an overview of the NEN 2580 measurement
Finally, make sure that all your measurements are neatly recorded in a statement of measurements. Make a table in which you list the length, width, height and calculated floor area for each room. This overview is useful when you want to have an official NEN 2580 measurement report prepared by a professional.
- Make a survey of all spaces.
- Indicate length, width, height and area.
- Make sure you classify all rooms correctly according to the NEN 2580 measurement instruction guidelines.
By carefully following these steps, you ensure that the measurements of your home comply with the official NEN 2580 standard. This ensures transparency and certainty when preparing a measurement report, which is essential for a correct valuation of your home.
Digital tools and measurement reports
Although you can measure a lot manually, there are also handy digital tools available that can do the measurement calculation automatically for you. These tools often also generate a visual floor plan and a NEN 2580 measurement report that you can share with interested parties. These tools are particularly useful for creating digital floor plans and for calculating space in more complicated structures.
