Landscape Designs Online

Measuring Information Sheet
You'll need a few things to get started;
  • a large tape measure
  • an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper
  • pencil
  • a buddy

Make a sketch of the outside of your house as if you were looking down from the top, just the front or back depending on which we are concerned with. This does not need to be to scale but make sure it's legible please. Make sure to locate any doors & windows, gas & electric outlets, water faucets, existing decks or patios and covers.

Using your buddy, have them hold the tape measure at one end of each wall, then make a note as to the measurement at each of the elements to locate them on the plan (see example).  You just need to write down the closest inch, no fractions. Do this for each wall section of the house.

Back yards:
Now we need to locate the fences. In a back yard have your buddy hold the tape end up to one of the back corners of the house while you walk in a straight line to the side fence. Write down this measurement. So the same to the back fence. Repeat this again on the opposite corner of the house (see example).  If you have an irregular back property line you will have to be more imaginative. Just remember all measurements originate from the house. Locate all decks, patios, covers, structures the same way, always measuring out from the house.

Front yards:
In the front yard you need to indicate where the fences join the walls of the house along with any gates. Any sidewalks & driveways need to be located also. Again using the house to measure from, measure out from the corners of the house to the sidewalk and note the distance. Repeat this on the opposite corner of the house to the sidewalk. Note the distance from the house to the sidewalk or street on both sides of the driveway.

Finally, note where the north direction is, any views that need to be preserved as well as any that need to be covered. Existing trees or shrubs that you would like to save need to be located and noted. 

Please e-mail your completed measurement sheet to: contact@landscapedesignsonline.net

Please refer to these examples of front & back yard measurements, you can e-mail us if you still have questions.
Typical Back Yard
symbols
electric
water
gas
Typical Front Yard