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Whole home measuring.


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#1 Don Gibbons

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Posted 30 August 2022 - 09:15 AM

Is anyone doing this for their renovations? What are you using?

 

Currently we go in with our graph paper and tape measure and we're looking to see if there's a better way.

 

We came across Matterport, https://estore.solid...nal-kit-bundle/ (it's a CDN add) and are considering it, just wondering if anyone is using something else.



#2 David Zawadzki

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Posted 30 August 2022 - 09:32 AM

Is anyone doing this for their renovations? What are you using?
 
Currently we go in with our graph paper and tape measure and we're looking to see if there's a better way.
 
We came across Matterport, https://estore.solid...nal-kit-bundle/ (it's a CDN add) and are considering it, just wondering if anyone is using something else.


SoftPlan on a laptop with the Disto running.

Why would you use graph paper and a tape measure?
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#3 Mark Petri

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Posted 30 August 2022 - 09:34 AM

I had a customer who got a scan of their relatively simple home for an addition design. The scan was nice in being able to see some features of the home, but the dimensions were not very accurate. I am sure the fact they had lots of contents in the home did not help, but I ended up going back and measuring quite a bit. We try to get pretty accurate as-built drawings though. Some don't care as much as long as what portions of the home they are working with is close. Maybe requiring the home to be sparsely furnished would help too. I use an app on my Ipad called Goodnotes and work off some footprint when possible. I try to get a survey or any existing drawings from the owner or building department records before I go measure and at least do a basic layout from that so I have a starting point before spending time on site. Some houses we measure are quite large and complicated. There are always a few things we are unsure of until demolition starts, but we try to get a good sense for all the parts we are working with. On some occasions I will actually take my laptop and draw in SP to enter the dimensions and notes and get basic floor plans while on site. I have some jobs where I am there for a full day and go back to verify things another day when I find discrepancies.


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#4 Gary McKeon

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Posted 30 August 2022 - 10:11 AM

Nope. Paper, pencil and tape measure. Not interested in taking a laptop to a jobsite either. Get there, measure it, take a lot of pictures and leave. I have the time allocated in my proposal and I am usually under the budgeted amount, including travel.  


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#5 Sam Morgan

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Posted 30 August 2022 - 12:26 PM

I have a tripod stand for my laptop with mouse pad attachment.  I draw everything in softplan on site


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#6 Mike Adams

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Posted 30 August 2022 - 12:46 PM

11x17 pad, pencil, tape measure and Disto.  I go overboard but I hate things not to close.   All the walls are made custom out of the standard library.  I make multiple trips if need be, measure and record till around lunch come back to the office and load it in etc.  I go around the foundation first...if its not overgrown.  If it's cluttered inside or they have plantation blinds that haven't been raised in years...they pay a premium.


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#7 Ben Ginther

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Posted 30 August 2022 - 01:37 PM

I have a tripod stand for my laptop with mouse pad attachment.  I draw everything in softplan on site

Yes! same thing.


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#8 Allen McDonnell

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Posted 30 August 2022 - 05:38 PM

Nope. Paper, pencil and tape measure. Not interested in taking a laptop to a jobsite either. Get there, measure it, take a lot of pictures and leave. I have the time allocated in my proposal and I am usually under the budgeted amount, including travel.  

Yes!!!  Dont we LOVE the days when are fingers are freezing!!  


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#9 Carl Lee

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Posted 17 October 2022 - 08:14 PM

I have a laser measurer for most rooms and a tape for smaller offsets. I take lots of pictures. I keep thinking I'll find a better way but I'm still sketch it out and bring it back to the office and enter it into softplan.  So far I've never had to go back to a site to remeasure anything.  



#10 Richard Taylor

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Posted 22 October 2022 - 09:04 AM

Years ago did the paper-pencil route, changed to a tablet with the "Squid" app and a Bosch laser. Best things about the tablet approach - easy to carry around, and can zoom in on details while working. Also, I can sketch out one floor, then copy that and paste it "grayed out" on another page to make sketching the upper floor easier. I also use different color pens for different things - much easier to sort out later. You can see that on the attached screenshot. 

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  • Screenshot_20221022_105704_Squid.jpg


#11 Brent Eichman

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Posted 24 October 2022 - 10:35 AM

I typically will generate a satellite image of the structure prior to initial visit.  Import image into softplan and scale to a size that makes sense. Overlay lines matching roof facia and offsetting 12 to 16" for overhang.  Print several pdf drawing copies (without dimensions) as large as possible on 8.5x11 or larger sheet.  On site then I'll have a good starting point to pencil in exterior framing or foundation dimensions, covered porches or decks. With accurate exterior dims it is much easier when penciling in interior walls.  Odd measurements back at the office will usually explain themselves.  Sometimes will require returning to confirm an interor dimension or two for walls that are pertinent to the addition.  Not all walls or rooms have to be precise if they do not affect the addition.  I'll also sketch next to each wall a profile of the exterior wall so I can pencil in window location and sizes.  Of course I take many many pictures to help explain things back in the office.  The more infomation I can bring back after the initial visit, the better.


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