Sounds easy to measure a roof, right? Just take out a measuring tape, hop on the roof, and write down some numbers. But measuring a roof isn’t that simple. One small mistake can turn into a costly mistake, materials wasted, and unhappy clients. Let’s take a look at the 5 most common mistakes made when measuring a roof, and how to avoid them.
Table of Contents
Why Accurate Roof Measurement Matters
Measuring the roof is the starting point for every roof (and every roofing job). Are you replacing shingles, installing metal panels, or estimating labor hours? Roof measurements are a fundamental part of estimating correctly, and accurate measurements will ensure that you get an accurate quote and bottom line.
- Cost Estimates: If your measurements are wrong, you can either underbid or overprice the job.
- Materials Orders: Ordering too little means you’ll create delays. Ordering too much means wasted money.
- Project Timelines: If your measurements are incorrect, your timelines will be impacted and homeowners will be frustrated.
Takeaway: Measure twice, install once.
Mistake 1: Ignoring Roof Pitch
One of the greatest mistakes when measuring roofs is forgetting the pitch. Roof pitch is the slope or steepness of the roof and is not simply cosmetic; it actually affects the amount of surface area.
For instance, a 1,000 sq. ft. house footprint has a significant amount of additional roofing surface area with a steep roof that could easily equal 1,300 sq. ft. If you forget to adjust for the pitch, your calculations could be off by hundreds of square feet.
Tools for Measuring Roof Pitch
- Pitch Gauges: Easy-to-use handheld devices to measure pitch quickly.
- Mobile Apps: Use your camera to measure angles.
- Online Calculators: Enter dimensions and get a quick answer.
Regardless of the tool or method you use, always consider the pitch before finalizing your measurements.
Mistake 2: Overlooking Roof Features
While dormers, skylights, chimneys, and vents may feel minor, they are going to affect your calculations significantly; especially, if you forget to deduct or add these areas, your calculations will offer a false sense of reality in material calculations.
Step-by-step to add features:
- Mark obstacles on the sketch.
- Measure and subtract skylights, chimneys, or other cutouts.
- Add allowances for flashing and trimming.
Tip: Everything counts!
Mistake 3: Using Only Flat Measurements
Another common error is just relying on the flat footprint of a roof. Roofs aren’t flat, as roofs have slopes, ridges, and valleys. If you ignore how it looks in 3D, there is simply no way you are not underestimating.
A good example of this is wrapping paper. You would just see the box from above and think of it as simple. You still need more paper to cover all the sides of the box; roofs are the same way.
Mistake 4: Not Double-Checking Measurements
Even skilled professionals make mistakes when they work quickly. Misreading measure tapes and failure to check dimensions can lead to costly errors in the thousands of dollars.
Best Practices We Recommend for Verifying Measurements:
- Crosscheck dimensions at all times.
- Crosscheck and compare manual vs aerial measurements for maximum accuracy.
- Get another crew member to verify numbers before ordering materials.
Mistake 5: Ignoring Technology
We live in a digital age, yet many roofers are still using manual methods only. This is approximately the same as using a flip phone while smartphones are up and running.
Aerial measurements and specific software have made it exceedingly quicker, easier, and safer (and often more reliable) to provide an exact, truthful statement of work, as opposed to climbing a ladder with a tape measure.
Safety Mistakes to Avoid While Measuring a Roof
What’s the point of being accurate if you’re not safe? Some common mistakes are:
- Not wearing safety harnesses or non-slip footwear
- Measuring alone, without back-up.
- Not paying attention to the weather, such as rain and wind.
- Always put safety first; it is worth more than any measurement.
Professional vs. DIY Roof Measurement
Doing-it-yourself measurements may save you a few bucks, but might also make you vulnerable. Professionals rely on advanced tools and their cumulative experience to provide accurate reports. If the roof is complex, steep, or larger than normal, hiring professionals could save you a lot of time, money and hassle!
Techniques for Properly Measuring a Roof
- Be consistent with the units you are using so that you are not converting between feet and inches.
- Write down the measurements clearly so that you are not guessing later on.
- Keep a digital back-up copy of your notes and diagrams/sketches.
Common Misconceptions About Measuring a Roof
- “Eyeballing will work just fine.” Wrong – accuracy is key.
- “Every roof is easy to measure.” Nope – convoluted roofs require your utmost attention.
- “There’s no reason to use technology.” Tech is well worth the time and accuracy in today’s world!
Conclusion
Roof measurement may feel like a run-of-the-mill practice, but little errors can easily compound into major problems. From forgetting pitch to not leveraging technology, each of these pitfalls can cost you in time, resources, and your reputation. Avoiding these five common mistakes can prove to be quite useful, and you will find that your projects will go more smoothly, your clients will be happier, and your profits will increase.
FAQs
- How can I measure a roof as accurately as possible?
The most accurate roof measurements are made using aerial technology that will give size, pitch, surface area, and take itself out of the human error equation. - Can I measure a roof without actually going on the roof?
Yes, you certainly can, as there are satellites and roof measurement software that do not require climbing onto the roof. All are safer and more accurate ways to measure a roof. - Why is it important to measure a roof before I begin a project?
It is essential to measure a roof because you will likely be using this information to estimate material, labor and time. Accurate measurement will prevent over/excess wastage and unintended budget overages. - When measuring a roof how do I calculate the roof pitch?
Roof pitch is calculated by taking a vertical rise and measuring how far it moves horizontally for every 12-inches. This calculation must be included when measuring a roof to identify true surface area. - What mistakes do I need to avoid with measuring a roof?
Mistakes are not considering the roof pitch, ignoring dormers/sheds, only measuring flat, and not double-checking numbers.