To most people, even in the trade, estimating is about taking accurate measurements and working out how much flooring is required and what the cost will be. There’s far more to it than that, but we’ll start by looking at the basic tools for measuring and some tips for using them. Even computer-based estimating systems need the measurements to be taken and inputted before they can work anything out, so measuring is an essential skill.
If an estimator was restricted to only one measuring tool, it would be a tape measure. There’s not much it couldn’t measure, and some things – like stairs – would be more difficult to measure with any other tool.
There’s no longer a restriction on whether you use imperial or metric measurements, but most flooring manufacturers provide information in metric, so a metric tape measure, or one with both metric and imperial scales is most useful. The latter allows you to convert between one and the other just by looking at the scale on the tape. And the end tabs on all tape measures are designed to slide in and out to ensure they are accurate whether you are measuring from a wall or an edge – the end tab tucks in or slides out so the measurements start from the right place. This is a level of accuracy that flooring estimators don’t need. There are tape measures marked ‘Class 1 accuracy’ which are made from more stable materials so they don’t expand too much when it’s warm but it is not necessary to spend the extra on such a tape as a millimetre or two will not affect the measurements we take.
Tape measures are used mainly on the floor, so they measure from skirting board to skirting board and this will be slightly less than wall to wall. When measuring a room that is longer or wider than your tape measure, simply lay a pen or other marker down where the scale finishes and then measure from the marker – or from the opposite wall to the marker and add the measurements together.
Tape measures usually have a measurement displayed on the back. This will be the width of the actual measure so that you can place the back edge of the tape against the wall and then add the extra (usually about 65 mm for a 5 metre tape) to the reading on the scale. If there’s no measurement printed, it’s simple enough to work out what it is and write it on so you don’t forget. However, when I’m measuring towards a wall I usually remain standing and bend the tape so I can look down and read the scale easily. If accuracy is really critical, such as when I’m measuring for a stair nosing, I carry a business card which I’ve marked with a line 50 mm (5 cm) from the end and I place this against the wall and measure to the mark and then add the 50 mm.
Some tape measures have locks for the tape but I find these are not as convenient as simply holding my forefinger against the back of the tape, where it goes in to the measure, as this holds it and can be released quickly when needed.
There are some specialist tape measures, such as ones designed to measure gaps or ones which have soft tapes for measuring around carpet rolls or other curves. A basic one will do the job for a flooring estimator and a 5 metres or 7.5 metre measure will be adequate for most domestic measures – I prefer 5 metres because they are smaller and easier to handle.
Many estimators choose to use laser measures rather than tapes. Although highly technical inside, these are really simple to use. Hold the measure against a wall and press a button. A dot of light (usually red or green) appears on the opposite wall showing where the device is measuring to. Another press of the button locks the reading which can then be seen on the screen. The result will be in metres to three significant figures (eg 3.457 metres), which means it’s reading to the millimetre. Don’t be tempted to write all the figures down, just round up to the next centimetre mark, it will make your calculations much easier.
For domestic work the range of even the most basic laser is usually more than adequate. I use a measure which goes up to 40 metres and I have never been stuck even in large commercial premises as I can measure from a fixed point in the middle of a room towards each wall in turn and get accurate readings for rooms of up to 80 metres square. You can pay extra for Bluetooth which will allow the measurements to be sent directly into your phone or even your estimating software, or a larger screen that will show a series of measurements so you can do the room and write it all down afterwards. But don’t be tempted to spend out for an enormous measuring range – you will never need to measure an entire housing estate, at least, not on the outside.
Next time, we’ll consider how best to record the measurements you take.
By Richard Renouf, Independent Flooring Consultant