Laser measurement tools

[TC]

I've seen a couple of appraisals by others, provided by homeowners when I went out to appraise their home, and found discrepancies on measurements on 2 or 3 [prior] appraisals by others vs. my tape measurements. I have no idea how they measured, but I suspect a laser device, which makes me leery of using one, as I can't imagine how someone else could measure the same wall I did and be off more than 1/2 a foot, sometimes 2-3 feet!

It was probably some old fossil using a wheel.

 

[Em Tee]

There are plenty of opinions, but the Disto D5 with the camera viewfinder is the best for me, because it is effective even in bright sunlight.

http://appraisersforum.com/showthread.php?t=153717

Or buy a cheap used Disto and you can just wear the cool red sunglasses to see the dot.

 

[LI-Appr]

Thanks I never used one and don't want to be wearing glasses. I already do just to read my tape LOL

 

[Hank Outlaw]

JRS at OBX.

Hank, next time I'm headed through your area I'll bring my disto and we can go measure a house. I think you'll like it.

Just read your post... Thanks! That would be great.

 

[ekogan1]

I've been using a laser by Stanley called the FatMax for about two months. Nothing fancy. I really appreciate the laser on rainy days. I do most of my measuring from inside the house and add for the thickness of the walls. Only cost about $100.

 

[Tom Woolford]

I'll give up my Disto D5 when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.........

 

[Lloyd Bonafide]

I'll give up my Disto D5 when they pry it from my cold, dead hands.........

Not me. I'll take my D5 with me to the grave..........

 

[Have Laser-Will Travel]

Measuring

I don't think that's a Disto - seeing prior sketches with measurements off by 2 or 3 feet has always been common, way before Distos were invented. That's just plain stupidity or incompetence.

I'll never forget a sketch I saw about 10 years ago that said the house was 26 feet wide. But the lot was only 24 feet wide.

Distos are accurate within 1/100 of a foot, or something like that.

Amen to that. I just got done going back to a house to measure again since the both assessor record and the prior appraisal had the house at 3,000 sq. ft. and I came up with 2,499 sq. ft. My measurements were fine. It apppeared the previous appraiser just jimmied the dimensions until finding agreement with the assessor record. The back wall was off by 2' and it was a single measurement with no obstructions. What da heck is going on out there?

 

[TC]

I can't understand why so many trust the assessor records. 95% inaccurate in my market, I never trust them.

 

[Ken Youngkrantz]

I have a Disto D5.....and you can have my wife before my disto....just kidding...but its real close.