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  3. 3.2. How to Properly Measure a Room: A Step-by-Step Guide

3.2. How to Properly Measure a Room: A Step-by-Step Guide

Just as a journey begins with a single step, the renovation of an apartment or house starts with a complete and thorough measurement. This step is crucial at all stages of transformation. Architects, designers, builders, window and door suppliers, and installers of technical systems all rely on these initial measurements.

 

To conduct a measurement plan on your own, you should prepare accordingly.

 

Step 1: Preparation

 

First, prepare the rooms. Ideally, they should be cleared of furniture and belongings, as they will need to be emptied for the renovation anyway.

If removing items is not yet possible, simply move furniture and objects away from walls and corners to access all areas of the room.

You will need:

  • Several sheets of paper or cardboard;
  • A clipboard;
  • A 5-meter measuring tape;
  • A sharp pencil or pen;
  • An angle finder.

Two people are needed for accurate measurement to avoid the risk of distorted data.

 

Step 2: The Main Process

 

Once inside the apartment (or house), visually sketch the “skeleton” of the entire space on paper, making it as large as possible on the sheet: outlining room shapes, marking entrances, windows, balconies, loggias, terraces.

Start measuring from the front door and proceed clockwise. Main measurements are taken at waist level. Risks of data distortion due to uneven walls and corners are common. As a precaution, also record “floating” figures – possible data variances of 10-15 cm without compromising space.

When measuring each wall and ceiling, also determine and note:

  • The material of the wall (ceiling);
  • Whether it is a load-bearing wall or not.

Adhere to the following rules for measurements:

  • Position the tape measure firmly along the wall, maintaining horizontal and vertical levels;
  • Round off the results to the nearest 0 or 5 mm;
  • Anchor the results to main features (door and window frames, technical communication entries and exits);
  • Take additional photos of complex measurement areas.

 

Each actual measurement should be entered into the sketched plan at the corresponding part.

Measurements should include:

  • The length of each wall;
  • The height of each threshold;
  • The dimensions of door and window openings, including the height from the sill and from the top of the opening to the ceiling;
  • Any floor level differences.

Detailed notes of all measurements with a rough plan and relation to technical communications should be made on separate sheets. Special enlarged plans for external walls, kitchen, bathroom, and toilet should be created, indicating the location of technical systems.

If possible, record the measurement process on video or take photographs.

 

Step 3: Creating the Measurement Plan

 

Now comes the meticulous task of compiling all the gathered information into a unified whole – the basis of the upcoming renovation – the measurement plan.

Create a classic drawing of the room plan, maintaining the chosen scale, and applying the obtained results.

For owners of multi-story private houses, a measurement plan should be made for each floor.

Creating this document requires focus, knowledge, and experience in each step.

For those not ready to take on the responsibility of creating a measurement plan and wanting to avoid the risks of inaccuracies, I am here to help. I can take on this crucial process and develop a detailed measurement plan as part of other important documents in the design project.

Creating a measurement plan is also part of the package if you choose to order the full service from me.

 

Choose the option that suits you and reach out for assistance!

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