Key to Getting Correct Measurements?

[xenon200]

I'm wanting to make a digital replica of my house in AutoCAD, and am wondering ... what are some tips anyone can give about getting the BEST, most acccurate measurements?

I'm concerned, and know that if I just go out there and wing it - my measurements will be far from accurate.

Any cool tools I should consider picking up?

~x2

I designed a sun room for my parents a few years ago and drew the whole house so they could see what it would look like before they started. I just grabbed my tape measure and started drawing. If you have drywall, it's pretty safe to figure your interior walls are 4 1/2" thick (3 1/2" studs plus 1/2" of drywall on each side. Just measure your interior dimensions then add 4 1/2" between each room. After you've drawn the inside, measure the outside of the house or look at your door jams and you'll be able to figure out your exterior wall thicknesses.

[xenon200]

Thanks.

This is actually my parent's house, which I'm going to see how closely I can replicate... I'll get it really detailed and start modifying the drawing for an addition...

~x2

[Ed_S]

Don't forget that walls which carry the major plumbing will be thicker, generally 6" - 8". Also, there'll be a space where the furnace chimney passes through. Measure closet depth.

I've done our house twice - once in autocad eons ago - 2D DOS version, that tell you how long ago?

And again using Sierra Home Architect, which I found to be an excellent program for this. Easy to use & much quicker than doing it "from scratch".