LxW=sf What do you use to measure?

boyo8023

boyo8023

New member
We all should know how to calculate Square Feet of a flat surface. Roofs may be a little more tricky. What do you use to get your measurements? Tape measure, laser, theodolite, the wheel on a stick thing (didn't want to google what it is called, more fun to see if you know what I am talking about), or what ever your method is please post it. Even if you use your thumb and just eyeball it :thumbup:please let me know! What brands worked for you. Thanks again
 
As you mentioned there are a few options. For my carpet biz i use the measuring wheel most of the times. A friend use a laser distance meter or some like that is its name. If this is for a house exterior, you can google the address and theres some pages like zillow that will give you details about the hose which includes sq.ft.
For roof i really dont have a clear idea yet but you should know the pitch and then multiply by the floor sqft or some like that.
 
Measuring wheel to measure larger areas of concrete and wood. Multi-family units, buildings, standard size houses, decks, etc are all eyeballed. When you do enough of them you don't need to measure anything. You know how much chemical you need and how long it's going to take, then in-turn know how to charge. Unforeseen obstacles and overages occur on occasion.
 
Johnson said:
Measuring wheel to measure larger areas of concrete and wood. Multi-family units, buildings, standard size houses, decks, etc are all eyeballed. When you do enough of them you don't need to measure anything. You know how much chemical you need and how long it's going to take, then in-turn know how to charge. Unforeseen obstacles and overages occur on occasion.
Click to expand...
How do you handle overages
 
It depends on what you are measuring and how big the area is, some prefer the laser tools, some prefer the measuring wheels, some still use long tape measures, it really is what you prefer to use, they all wear out over time and will have to be replaced.

Try them to see what you like to use.
 
I eyeball everything.It's all in how much we can do in an hour and how many hours it will take.

Housewashs are pretty simple there are ball parks I start with and add on or subtract based on things like prches,second story dormers,roof angle,furniture,and on and on.

I tell you the last time I measured something? I know it was gutters on a huge house a long time ago.

Let me give you some advice.Nobody on this website is going to dial your operation in or your effeiciency by answering a question on a forum.You will do this with time and experience and equipment upgrades.Go out and wash something and learn all the way to the bank.
 
We use different methods based on the job specs as size. With experience I measure less. Time is money and there are always little things you have to take into consideration that only experience will give you. When you are getting started keep notes and stats so you know what worked and what didn't. There's no need to repeat pricing mistakes!
 
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