How to Measure the Basement

A tape measure is an essential tool for anyone doing construction work.

Taking proper measurements is one of the most important tasks when completing a construction project. The measurements tell you how much space you have to work with and the amount of supplies you need to complete the project, which is important for budgeting purposes. Sketching out the layout of the room can make it easier to record the measurements you take. When measuring a basement, deduct space for items like a water heater or furnace.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure

Instructions

1. Sketch the basement on a piece of paper. Include items like the staircase, water heater and support beams.

2. Measure the height of the basement walls from the floor to the ceiling joists. Take measurements at several points along the wall as some parts of the floor may be lower than others.

3. Measure the length of the basement walls.

4. Measure the distance dimensions of immovable objects such as the water heater, furnace and sump pump hole.

5. Measure the distance between the walls and the objects you measured in the previous step.

6. Calculate the square footage of the basement or a certain area within the basement by multiplying the length and width of a given section together. For example, to determine the total square footage, multiply the length and width of the exterior walls. If you want to know the available footage (minus the water heater, furnace, etc.), calculate the square footage that those objects occupy, and subtract that from the total square footage of the basement.

7. Calculate the volume of the basement by multiplying the length, width and height of the walls together. This gives you the volume in cubic feet.

References

• John R. White.net: Contractor's Math