My estimate accuracy went from 60% to 90% in one month after I started measuring twice

I kept showing up to jobs with way too much or too little carpet, and it was killing my profit margins. Finally got fed up after a job in Denver where I was off by 15 yards and ate the cost. Started measuring every room twice with a laser measurer before writing the quote, and checking my math against the room layout. Has anyone else found a method that cuts down on waste without driving up your time on site?

2 comments

2 Comments

susansingh8d ago

Oh man, I feel this hard. I'd suggest trying a roll width check before you even get to the room layout. Like, if you're using 12 foot carpet, measure the room's width first and see if you can run it the short way to avoid seaming. I also started snapping a quick photo of the room from each corner on my phone and drawing rough dimensions on it in my photo editor before I leave. It's saved me from coming back for a remeasure at least five times this year. The laser measurer is a game changer too, just make sure you're holding it level or it'll screw you.

lucas_johnson8d ago

Wait, you're snapping photos and drawing on them in a photo editor before you even leave the house? That's wild to me @susansingh, I barely remember to charge my laser. Do you actually edit the photos on your phone while you're standing there, or is that a home thing?