This course provides restoration and cleaning technicians with practical instruction on using a laser distance measurer (laser measurer) for field measurement tasks. Accurate measurement is essential for scope documentation, equipment quantity calculation, flooring area determination, and moisture monitoring grid mapping.
The laser measurer is one of the most time-saving field tools available to restoration technicians and eliminates the errors associated with tape measure estimation in large or irregular spaces. This course covers how laser measurers work, how to use them correctly on site, and how to apply measurements to common restoration documentation tasks.
HOW LASER MEASURERS WORK
A laser measurer emits a laser beam that is reflected by the target surface. The device measures the time taken for the laser to travel to the target and return, and calculates the distance from that time value.
Modern laser measurers are accurate to within 1 to 2 millimetres over distances up to 100 metres, making them far more precise than tape measures for most restoration measurement applications. They operate effectively on most indoor surfaces but may produce inaccurate readings on highly reflective or transparent surfaces (glass, polished metal) and in very bright outdoor sunlight that reduces laser visibility.
USING THE LASER MEASURER ON A RESTORATION SITE
Setting up: position the back of the device against the starting surface or use the integrated fold-out base plate on the back of the unit for floor-to-ceiling measurements. Most devices have a small bubble level indicator — use it to confirm the device is level before taking horizontal measurements, as an angled measurement will read longer than the true horizontal distance.
Taking measurements: point the laser at the target surface. On most devices, pressing the measure button once activates the laser point for aiming and pressing it a second time captures the measurement. The reading displays on the device screen in your selected unit (metres or millimetres for restoration work — avoid working in feet and inches to prevent conversion errors in metric documentation).
Area calculation: most laser measurers have an area function that allows you to take two consecutive measurements (length and width) and automatically calculate the floor area. Use this function for carpet extraction area calculations, floor coverage calculations for air mover density, and flooring area documentation for scope of works.
APPLYING MEASUREMENTS TO RESTORATION DOCUMENTATION
Scope of works: room dimensions and calculated floor areas from the laser measurer are entered directly into scope documentation. Accurate areas support accurate equipment quantity calculations and material quantity estimates.
Equipment density calculation: calculate the floor area of each affected room. Apply the applicable equipment density formula (for example, one air mover per 50 square metres of affected floor area). Record the resulting equipment requirement in the monitoring log.
Moisture monitoring grid: for large affected areas, establish a systematic moisture monitoring grid based on measured room dimensions. Divide the room into equal grid squares of 2 to 3 metres, mark monitoring points at each grid intersection, and record all readings referenced to the grid. A grid established from laser measurer dimensions is consistent and repeatable across monitoring visits.
