Commercial Property Marketing Timeline: When to Instruct and What Takes Time

When to instruct

For photography alone, 5 to 7 working days is usually enough. For a combined package covering photography, drone, Matterport, and video, allow 2 to 3 weeks between instruction and your intended portal go-live date. That window covers shoot scheduling, weather contingency for the drone session, editing across 4 service types, and any revisions before upload.

If the property is part of a lease expiry or planned vacancy, the shoot date can be confirmed as soon as access is available. You do not need to wait for the property to be empty. Occupied properties are photographed regularly. What matters is that the spaces are presentable and access is confirmed in writing before the shoot is booked.

How long each element takes to produce

Photography: 24 to 48 hours from shoot to edited delivery. This is the fastest element and the most predictable. Commercial photography does not depend on weather unless the brief includes exterior shots in specific light.

Matterport virtual tour: 24 to 48 hours from scan to published tour link. The scan itself takes 1 to 3 hours on site depending on the size of the space. The tour is processed and published by Matterport after upload, which adds a few hours. For large industrial or multi-floor properties, allow the full 48 hours.

Drone: the aerial session takes 30 to 60 minutes on site. Edited images and footage are turned around in 24 to 48 hours. The session itself is weather-dependent: high wind, rain, or low cloud prevents flying. We monitor forecasts ahead of every drone booking and advise if conditions are unsuitable.

Property video: 3 to 5 working days from shoot to delivery. This is the longest element because editing a walkthrough involves colour grading, music sync, graphics, and review. A short social cut adds a day. If the brief includes agent-to-camera narration, allow an extra day for the additional edit.

Planning a combined shoot

When all 4 services are needed, we schedule them as a single day where possible. For most commercial properties, one day covers everything. The order is: drone in the morning when the light is best and wind is typically lowest, Matterport scan and interior photography through the day, and video last so the walkthrough captures the space in its end-of-day state.

A full combined shoot day requires: confirmed access from first light (usually 8am or earlier in summer) through to late afternoon, all spaces cleared to shoot standard, all lighting on, and any building manager or occupier sign-off sorted before the day. See what a full commercial marketing package covers for the detail on what each service produces and when each adds value.

The advantage of a combined day is that post-production for all 4 elements can run in parallel. Photography, drone stills, and the Matterport tour can be ready within 48 hours. The video follows 2 to 3 days later. Everything is live within a week of the shoot.

What causes delays

The most common delay is access not confirmed before the shoot is booked. Commercial properties with multiple tenants, managing agents, or security desks require written access confirmation. A shoot cannot proceed without it, and rescheduling adds a week or more to the timeline.

Weather affects the drone session only. If conditions prevent flying on the day, the interior photography, Matterport, and video can all proceed. The drone session is rescheduled without charge and the aerial images follow separately. For most listings, a short delay to the drone content is acceptable if the photography and virtual tour go live on schedule.

The property not being ready when the crew arrives is a more serious delay. A shoot that starts late because spaces are still being cleared, furniture is in the wrong position, or lights are not working runs short on time. This does not usually cause a reschedule, but it reduces the number of usable shots from each space and affects the quality of the editing options. The preparation checklist for getting a property ready for photography applies to commercial shoots in full.

If you are already behind

If the instruction is urgent, contact us directly. Photography and a Matterport scan can often be turned around in 2 to 3 working days when access is available and the property is ready. Drone and video both add time to that, so for fast-turnaround instructions we prioritise the deliverables most important for the go-live date and schedule the rest to follow.

A property listed with photographs and a virtual tour on day one performs significantly better than one listed with placeholder images. Getting the photography and Matterport live quickly, with drone and video to follow, is better than delaying everything until all 4 elements are ready.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I book commercial property photography?

For photography alone, 5 to 7 working days. For a combined shoot including drone, Matterport, and video, allow 2 to 3 weeks so access can be confirmed, the shoot can be scheduled around weather, and all editing can be turned around before your go-live date.

How long does it take to receive edited photos after a commercial shoot?

Edited photographs are delivered within 24 to 48 hours. Video takes 3 to 5 working days. Matterport tours are published within 24 to 48 hours of the scan.

Can photography, drone, Matterport, and video all be done in one visit?

Yes. For most commercial properties, all 4 services are completed in a single day. Drone goes first in the morning, Matterport and photography through the day, video last.

What causes delays to a commercial property marketing shoot?

The most common causes: access not confirmed before booking, weather unsuitable for drone, and the property not ready when the crew arrives. Properties with occupiers still clearing out or that require building manager access regularly push shoot dates back.

What if I need to go live faster than the standard timeline?

Contact us directly and we will tell you what is possible with the time available. Photography and a Matterport scan can often be turned around in 2 to 3 working days. We prioritise the deliverables most important for your go-live date and schedule the rest to follow.