Matterport 3D tours are showing up on more listings, more commercial properties, and more project sites every month. And as demand grows, so does the number of people offering to scan your space. Some are seasoned professionals. Some bought a camera last week.
The difference matters — and it's not always obvious from a website. Here are five questions worth asking before you hire anyone.
1. Are they using a professional Matterport camera — or a phone?
Most people don't realize that Matterport now allows captures using an iPhone or iPad. The results look like it. Phone-based scans produce softer imagery, less accurate spatial data, and measurements you can't rely on. A professional-grade Matterport camera — like the Pro 2 — captures every dimension of a space with precision that a phone sensor simply can't match. If your tour is going on an MLS listing, in front of a client, or into a legal file, ask what camera they're showing up with.
2. What's included in the price — and what costs extra?
This is where a lot of providers get creative. Some quote a base price for the scan and then charge separately for floor plans, dollhouse view, hosting, or delivery of the shareable link. Others bundle everything but bury a monthly hosting fee that kicks in after 90 days.
A clear answer looks like this: one price, everything included — the full interactive tour, dollhouse view, floor plans, measurement tool, and a shareable link that works forever. No tiers, no add-ons, no surprises. If the provider can't give you a straight number based on your square footage, keep asking until they do.
3. Can you see a sample tour before committing?
This should be easy. If a provider can't show you a live, interactive example of their work — not a screenshot, not a video, but an actual Matterport tour you can click through — that's a red flag. The quality of a Matterport tour varies significantly based on scan technique, camera placement, lighting decisions, and post-processing. The best way to evaluate any provider is to walk through their work the same way your clients will.
4. How fast is turnaround — and what exactly do you get?
Ask specifically: how many business days from the scan to a delivered, shareable link? And what does "delivered" mean — do you get a URL, an embed code, floor plans, instructions on how to use it? Some providers take a week or more. Some hand you a link with no guidance on how to get it onto your listing or your website.
A good provider scans your space, processes the data, and delivers a complete package — shareable link, embed-ready tour, schematic floor plans — within 24 to 48 hours. And they make sure you know how to use all of it.
5. Do they understand your industry?
This is the one that separates a technician from a partner. A Matterport camera captures the space, but the person operating it decides what to capture, how to frame it, and what matters most for your specific use case.
Scanning a luxury listing is different from scanning a construction site. A vacation rental tour needs to sell the experience. An insurance documentation scan needs to capture every detail for a claims file. A commercial property tour needs to tell a story to a tenant who may never visit in person before signing a lease.
The provider you hire should understand your world — not just the equipment. Ask what industries they've worked in. Ask to see examples that match your use case. A diverse portfolio tells you they've solved problems like yours before.
The Bottom Line
A great Matterport provider makes the process simple, the pricing transparent, the turnaround fast, and the result something you're proud to put in front of your clients. A mediocre one gives you a link and disappears.
Ask these five questions, and the difference will be obvious.
Want to see how we answer them? Explore our portfolio, check our pricing, or book a scan and experience the process firsthand.
Questions about 3D tours or ready to get started? Feel free to reach out to me directly at james@southeast3dtours.com — I'm happy to help.