laser measurement advice for realtors

[bzmiller]

Hello Everyone -
Just joined the forum and now posting a question. I am a real estate broker trying to decide what is the best laser tool for square footage measurement and floor plans.
I would like a device that allows me to measure exterior dimensions, and also for interior measurements for drawing floor plans.
My measurement needs are a fraction of what you guys will do, but I have an engineering background and my fondness for details tends to make me a little anal about measurements.
I am a little confused on the pros and cons of all the products -
The disto D2 and D3 seem pretty close but ~$100 difference. I struggle with a $300+ meter being overkill for my needs?
Is a discontinued A3 a good choice?

Is it practical to think I can stand in front of a home and get wall lengths with the Pythagorean options (upstairs, too?)


Then there is a Fluke that seems nice for only around $100.
Sorry...lots of questions.

any suggestions are greatly appreciated....

Love this forum - glad I found it

thanks,
Brian Miller

 

[Pilgrum]

Welcome.
This topic has been discussed many times here. Below is a link to one of those discussions
http://appraisersforum.com/showthread.php?t=174363
I use a Disto D5 and a tape but the tape gets used less and less all of the time.
I don't believe in the term "overkill". I don't want to find out that too much was not enough.

 

[EDWARD BERRY]

Thanks For Asking Those That Try To Get Your Proposed Sales Estimated.

You Might Want To Check The American National Standards Institute Standard For Calculating Sf Of Sf House.

( I Differ In That I Take Out The Upper Stair Case Size But Thats An Arkie Thing)

Good Luck.

There Are Good Plan Drawing Programs, I Use Apex.

 

[Howard Weeks]

You need a Leica Disto of some sort but not necessarily the latest and most expensive. I would look for a used Disto Classic 5 or similar on ebay. I think I have seen them sell for about $130 or so. I use one of these and have for years. They are great. Try to resist the $100 things at Home Depot. You won't be happy with them.

 

[David Beasley]

<snip> Try to resist the $100 things at Home Depot. You won't be happy with them.

Agree 100% with that assessment. Even as a Realtor, meaning you won't use your laser 2-3+ times per day like we might, you should look for a higher quality unit than you typically find at the home improvement places. I still use one of those original, big-as-a-brick Leica Distos, and have for the better part of 7-8 years now. No runs, no drips, no errors. Still works today as good as the day I bought it - and is still spot-on accurate every time I break out a brand new measuring tape to compare it to (I go through 2 closed-real tapes every year).

I know times are tough. Money is tight. But you still shouldn't skimp on what amounts to -what should be - a very important tool of your trade. I recommend a Lecia, model of your choice (although, my next Disto will have an LCD screen on it so I can visually line up my hit points a little better). I know some Realtors, bless their hearts, that do not get this. They'll drop $400 on a couple of Monte Blanc pens and only want to spend $50 on a laser measurer. I do not understand this approach. Just like some will spend $80k+ on an Escalade to impress their clients, then use a $50 point&shoot digital cam from Walmart and a matching $50 ink jet printer to make their flyers...which is just mind boggling to me. Then again, most agents I know that do this are new or poorly trained and do not have a business owner's business/marketing/performance mindset. If you earn on a commission then you OWN a business, don't skimp on the important things and turn around and invest heavily in the fluff.

AND, sometimes you do get what you pay for. I'd bet a single Leica (or similar higher end unit) would outlast most lower end measurers by at least 5/1. I cannot comment on Fluke other than to say that I have a Fluke multitester that is pretty good, or has been for me for about 10 years now. I didn't know they'd moved into the distance measuring arena, so their stuff may be just fine.

 

[Atlanta CG]

In my experience 99% of Realtors and/or agents would not be sufficiently careful to accurately measure a home, particularly in this day and age where homes are not just square boxes. I measure with both a tape and Disto as my eyes are too old to see the Disto dot outside if the distance is beyond 25' on a sunny day. Also, I do believe you will be disappointed with the pythagoream measurement. You'll need a tripod and it would be just as easy to go inside, find rooms with doors opposite one another to get a full interior length, then just add the exterior walls. I measure each room as well so if the exterior measurements do not add up, particularly with some of the complex designs, then I can correct it with my interior measurements.

 

[bzmiller]

Thanks for the input. I had to laugh out loud about the comment of the $400 Mont Blanc pen. Unfortunately this is quite true....

I do spend a lot of time trying to make sure my measurements are correct, and then cross check them against other measurments. Maybe it's just my engineering blood, or geek-ness as my wife states.

Anyway, I have ordered the disto 330. It is on its way. Now that I have agaonized over spending the money, I can't wait to start putting it use.

thanks again everyone for the great advice and input

 

[Richard Goodfellow]

I have been using a Stanley Fat Max for several years. $75.00. It is not as powerful as a disto but for houses that has not been a problem. I have checked it against a tape and it is very accurate. I will use it outside as long as there is a wall to hit. Use a 30' tape for other areas. It is hard to see the red dot outside. I try and measure as much as I can inside. It is very handy for capes where there are knee walls. I don't know if they still make this anymore. Sometimes the button sticks or the screen is all wonky but I rap it on something and it works. Hey its 75.00. Adds and subtracts also. An older disto is probably a better choice if you can find one. good luck

 

[Joe-NC]

You shouldn't be worrying yourself with measuring houses. You should hire an appraiser to do it for you. :icon_mrgreen:

 

[Stantheman]

We recently purchased a Bosch DLR130. It is one of the best purchases we have made for the business in the last few years. Measuring the inside of a 1.5 story with dormers is really easy now. Although it is hard to point to the end of a house 65+feet away without something like a fence to bounce it off, it has made measuring shorter distances a breeze.