YouCad survey techniques
Having a friend to help can really make this process easier, they can hold
the other end of the tape and also point out areas you may miss, buildings can
be measured solo but if you can get help do so.
Sketch the basic floor plan on your paper including the wall, window, and door
locations, all of this prior to taking any measurements. Sketch the exterior
outlines first, then the interior. Don't worry too much about it being
proportional as the dimensions and photographs will cover those issues.
Measure the outside first, filling in dimensions on your sketch for the key
features--window and door openings, projections (chimneys, porches, bay
windows, etc.), joints between the original building and additions, etc. Do not
worry about minor features such as wood trim and moldings, changes in materials
etc.
Measure in running dimensions, whenever this is possible. Fix the tape at
one corner and run the tape along the side of the building, reading the
measurement at each measurable feature. This will greatly reduce the
accumulation of errors caused by measuring each feature separately. Vegetation
and other factors may force you to take individual measurements on occasion.
Keep the tape as level as possible for more accurate measurements. Be sure
to start at a level that allows you to get measurements for the key features.
For example, don't start so low on the wall that your tape runs below the level
of the windows.
On the interior, measure each room's overall dimensions in addition to
placing interior doorways, closets, etc. This will help resolve discrepancies
that may arise when drawing up the plan. Interior measurements do not need to
include windows and doors along the exterior walls that have already been
measured from the outside.
Measure wall thickness as these will need to be drawn.
Make additional measurements and notes on the drawing as you see fit. These
should include the ceiling height, flooring or wall materials, etc. as you will
be taking photographs of the building you can let the camera do as much of this
"descriptive" work as possible.
Label the drawing with the name and/or address of the building, the names of
those who measured it, and the date. The field drawing with all of your
dimensions should be kept along with your finished drawing.
Create a legend or key if it helps finally you can scan your survey and
email to us, you may wish to draw your plans up neater and go over the pencil
with a pen for clarity.