What Is The Best House Outdoor Measuring Device?

[Mr Rex]

I would add that a wheel is the least accurate and reliable. I started out with a wheel as that was what my supervisor used. One day in the pouring rain i decided to take interior measurements with the wheel. Running the wheel over carpet in the house, my first run didn't match public records, so I did it again. Different measurement. OK try again. Different measurement. Try again. Different measurement. And no we aren't talking inches, but feet on a simple manufactured home box. I threw that POS away that day. Who knows how many measurements I had mis-reported? With a tape, it is what it is. With a laser, I almost always shoot the same measurement 2-3 times as verification in less time than it takes to pull a tape. A wheel? You might as well as step it off with your feet or a "3 foot stride".

 

[Digger88]

I agree. Once one gets proficient with laser measuring that is by far the most efficient method. I kept a tape as an emergency backup, but as long as the laser was working I would not consider any other way to measure. There are some excellent videos on youtube that show some great methods for measuring what one might think cannot be measured via laser.

so how do you measure 2nd story dormers with a laser outside? ive bought 4 lasers and taken them all back because of their limitations. but if they work for you good then. you have to walk around the house anyway so just use a wheel while you walk.

 

[Digger88]

I agree. Once one gets proficient with laser measuring that is by far the most efficient method. I kept a tape as an emergency backup, but as long as the laser was working I would not consider any other way to measure. There are some excellent videos on youtube that show some great methods for measuring what one might think cannot be measured via laser.

so how do you measure 2nd story dormers with a laser outside? ive bought 4 lasers and taken them all back because of their limitations. but if they work for you good then. you have to walk around the house anyway so just use a wheel while you walk.

I would add that a wheel is the least accurate and reliable. I started out with a wheel as that was what my supervisor used. One day in the pouring rain i decided to take interior measurements with the wheel. Running the wheel over carpet in the house, my first run didn't match public records, so I did it again. Different measurement. OK try again. Different measurement. Try again. Different measurement. And no we aren't talking inches, but feet on a simple manufactured home box. I threw that POS away that day. Who knows how many measurements I had mis-reported? With a tape, it is what it is. With a laser, I almost always shoot the same measurement 2-3 times as verification in less time than it takes to pull a tape. A wheel? You might as well as step it off with your feet or a "3 foot stride".

was your wheel made of stone and sticks, lol. lufkin i think is a multi billion dollar corporation with teams of engineers on payroll. im going to surmize they can make a round wheel measure a 10 foot span... sheesh

 

[Mr Rex]

It was a Lufkin.

 

[Mr Rex]

so how do you measure 2nd story dormers with a laser outside? ive bought 4 lasers and taken them all back because of their limitations. but if they work for you good then. you have to walk around the house anyway so just use a wheel while you walk.

How do you measure 2nd floor dormers from outside with a wheel? One hell of a long handle? FWIW, you measure dormers from the inside with a laser.

 

[Elliott]

I'm afraid laser users aren't getting up close and personal with the outside of the house the way metal logger tape users do. I have to touch the exterior, wrestle with the hook on the downspout, find all the tree stubs that were cut 3" above the ground line. I find lots of little minor rot issues that I think laser users are completely missing.

 

[TRESinc]

I'm afraid laser users aren't getting up close and personal with the outside of the house the way metal logger tape users do. I have to touch the exterior, wrestle with the hook on the downspout, find all the tree stubs that were cut 3" above the ground line. I find lots of little minor rot issues that I think laser users are completely missing.

how do you think someone measures the outside of a house with a laser? from the neighbor's yard? from their car? it's the same process as using the tape, i just don't have to pray that the dumb end stays where i put it. it's the exact same process only i no longer have to "wrestle with the hook" end.

 

[Elliott]

Tres, I've seen those videos with the $800 lasers where the guy is 75 feet from the building and has a little screen that measures everything.

 

[TRESinc]

Tres, I've seen those videos with the $800 lasers where the guy is 75 feet from the building and has a little screen that measures everything.

on a SFR house? that seems kind of strange. then again appraisers do strange things. it almost sounds like you were watching some form of a promotional video showing what is possible. my disto will measure up to 256ft i believe but i've never tested it out or had a need to measure that far.

i can tell you from experience that is not how i measure with my disto. it's basically the same process as using a tape, only faster, easier and more accurate (not that i sketch down to the 100th of an inch but my disto does ) i have never once had to walk back 2-4 times to put the dumb end back on the house as the dumb end using my disto is me...

 

[Digger88]

How do you measure 2nd floor dormers from outside with a wheel? One hell of a long handle? FWIW, you measure dormers from the inside with a laser.

no you dont. appraisers use exterior dimensions for non condos. and if you dont know how to measure a dormer you shouldnt be appraising.