I remember when I first started using a laser to do my measurements. I was up in front of a group of people, and I asked them to show by raise of hands how many of them were also using a laser for measuring. Maybe 20% of the people there raised their hands. Thankfully, laser measuring has caught on, and many more people do it now! It really is so much easier, and I highly recommend investing in a laser to help you in this part of your job.
Sometimes, however, using a laser can be tricky, especially when measuring an outside wall. You can try to step out a little from the wall and angle your laser in to hit the other end of the wall just so, and I’ve done that. But this trick, which I like to call the “brick trick,” works well when you’re dealing with an all-brick or mostly-brick home.
Picture a window in a brick home. The bricks run horizontally across the face of the wall, creating a flat surface, but just under the window they’re placed differently to create a ledge. When I see this, I like to use my laser and first measure from the end of the wall to the edge of the ledge. Then hit the plus button, move to the other side of the house, and measure; not to the ledge again, because then you have to measure the width of the window, too. This time, measure just to the inside of the window frame. Adding these two measurements will give you a perfect measurement of the side of the house.
When it comes to your work: work smarter, not harder. I love sharing these tips and tricks with you, and I love hearing your tips and tricks! No matter how long you’ve been in the industry, I think it’s always a good thing to be willing to learn from others. You just might find a better way to do your job than how you’ve always done it!
For more information on this subject, please listen to The Appraiser Coach Podcast Episode:
