Full Exterior Measurements

Major exterior renovations—like replacing the siding, exterior cladding, or painting the entire house—are priced by the square foot. When homeowners rely on a contractor's guestimate, they risk paying for inflated material quantities and labor. Having the actual, verified exterior square footage from the inspection report allows the homeowner to obtain accurate, competitive bids and ensures they only purchase the materials needed for the actual size of their home.

Roofing materials are sold by the "square" (100 square feet of coverage). Without precise data, contractors may round up or overestimate the roof area, leading to overcharging. By having the true, accurate roof square footage, along with complex linear measurements (ridges, hips, valleys), the new homeowner can verify the material quantity on every bid, protecting them from paying potentially thousands of dollars extra for materials that are never installed.

Windows and doors are expensive components with long lead times. Knowing the exact dimensions (height and width) of every unit eliminates costly surprises when it's time for replacement. If a homeowner orders windows based on inaccurate, approximated measurements, the units may not fit, resulting in expensive order cancellation fees, restocking charges, or costly framing alterations during installation. Accurate measurements ensure a perfect fit the first time.

Gutters, fascia, and soffits protect the home's structure from water intrusion and are sold by the linear foot. When these components fail, a professional measurement of their exact total length allows the homeowner to quickly procure accurate material quotes. This is essential for preventing contractor over-ordering and ensuring an efficient installation, especially for complex or multi-level rooflines.

After a major storm, "storm chaser" contractors often use aggressive sales tactics based on quick, sometimes shallow, inspections and rough estimates. Having a pre-existing, documented set of full exterior measurements from an independent home inspector arms the homeowner with facts. This factual documentation enables them to challenge inflated estimates and confidently compare multiple bids without relying on the contractor's potentially biased numbers.

Yes. Accurate exterior dimensions and total floor square footage are used by county appraisers and insurance underwriters to determine property value and replacement costs. If the official records are based on old or incorrect data, the homeowner could potentially be paying higher property taxes or be underinsured for the true cost of rebuilding. Verified measurements help ensure accurate property records, protecting the homeowner's finances in both the short and long term.

While the cost varies, the added service of acquiring detailed, professional exterior measurements is a minimal fraction of the cost of the total home purchase price. Considering that accurate measurements can save the homeowner thousands of dollars on one single project (like roofing or siding replacement), the initial investment in this comprehensive data offers an extremely high return on investment.