When starting a new project, it may feel tempting to cut corners. It saves time to work quickly and settle for “good enough”, right? At least, that’s how it feels at first. Not so much later on, when you realize that being off by a fraction of an inch has thrown your whole project askew.
In construction, there are many types of measurements. When building a house, for example, architects determine how to lay the foundation based on measurable factors like the weight of materials being used to build. Failure to do so results in a faulty foundation, leading to sloping floors or cracks.
In this article, we’ll be discussing five very important reasons why that is, as well as some of the tools and resources professionals use to get the most accurate measurements possible in the construction industry.
1. Machines Rely on Measurements to Build Parts
In the construction industry, we often think about workers with measuring tapes and hammers or architects designing floor plans with CAD software. We tend to forget that machines need to be able to accurately measure the distance of objects too.
Robots, CMM, and CNC machines use electric encoders that allow them to judge the distance between objects in their day-to-day operation. They may also use digital measuring systems, micrometers, calipers, cameras, and so on to inspect parts. Although these machines don’t play a direct role in home construction, their ability to make accurate measurements is important nonetheless.
The use of tools like inspection probes has several benefits, like increasing production time and reducing wasted material. Although they may not play a direct role in the construction of a new house, these machines are often responsible for the very first measurements involved in the building process.
2. The Final Project Will Turn Out Poorly
As mentioned in the introduction, incorrect measurements can throw your entire project off. In large construction projects, there is a limited amount of allowable tolerance. Failure to stay within tolerance can result in flaws like sloping walls and improperly fitted joints.
3. It Increases Material Costs
When you don’t take the time to carefully measure your materials, you can find yourself spending more than you’d initially budgeted for or wasting scrap. This is especially true for materials that need must be cut to length and laid in rows or in a specific pattern, including conduit, lumber, or brick.
4. It Increases Labor Cost
Building off the previous two points, poor measurements that result in structural or aesthetic problems usually require trained professionals to fix. This could mean reworking, more time spent in the field, or hiring extra help to finish a project on time.
5. Measurements are Essential for Creating a Blueprint
You need to understand the area of the space you’re working on in order to make a good blueprint. The layout of a room should include measurements for the room itself, as well as any furniture, plumbing, wiring, etc. By taking the time to plan and pre-measure, you can make better use of the space available.
In conclusion, precise measurements are important to have at every stage of construction, from the machines that measure materials to the cost of building a home.
