How To Use A Laser Level To Square A Room? Just 4 Step

A laser level is a greater step up from the traditional plumb bob and spring, which is why many builders and DIY hobbyists prefer it most. We all know a laser level excels in terms of precision, accuracy, and measurement, but how do you use one properly?

When building a square room, a laser level is crucial as the room requires exact measurements on each side of the horizontal plane.

So, we’ve gathered all the information you need to know on how to use a laser level for squaring. We’ll be including a step-by-step guide to make the process clear and help you along the way.

How to Use a Laser Level to Square a Room?

The most important part of laser leveling to square a room is to be consistent with the measurements. If you’re unsure about reading, don’t hesitate to retake it. As long as the measurements are precise, your results will be satisfactory.

Now, let’s get into how to use a laser level for square rooms. For this guide, we’re going to use a dot laser level as an example –

Step 1 – Set Up the Laser Level

Before you begin taking measurements, clear out anything in the way that might reflect the laser beam. If there are any hindrances, the readings will be completely thrown off.

Also, make sure the surface you set your laser level on is flat, dry, and free of abruptions. This means the ground has to be completely level and not at a slope, as this can cause anomalies in readings.

Step 2 – Mark the Walls

Start with the longest all in the room. Take a measuring tape and measure the length along the bottom of the wall. After doing a little bit of math, you will find the exact center of the wall. Repeat this with all your walls.

As you’re measuring the walls, make sure they are level as well. A good way to find this out is by calculating the vertical length of the wall. Given that the parallel walls have the same lengths, you should be good to go.

Step 3 – Find a Center in the Room

Using all the readings you’ve taken from the walls, find the center of the room to place your laser level on. You can do this by using a measuring tape and marking tape.

However, if you feel the measurements may turn out inaccurate, you can use 3-4 laser level targets to establish corners in the room.

The way you do this is by setting the laser level at a corner of the room at a distance from the two walls behind it. Then, at the same distance on each corner of the room, set up targets that will transfer each point. Make sure to mark between the targets.

You will notice a smaller square or rectangle inside the horizontal plane of your room, resembling the shape of the floor.

Step 4 – Finish

Now you’re pretty much done, but if you want to go a bit further with the accuracy, we recommend going through this step.

Using the readings of the horizontal lengths of the walls, find out the total area of the floor. Then, depending on the distance you choose to place your laser level from the walls, find the area of the smaller square or rectangle. This new area must link to the total area of the floor.

If you’re still confused about a certain step, watch this video for further clarification.

How Do You Square a Building with a Laser?

Now that you know how to use a laser level for squaring a room, you’ll find it much easier to square a building. The process is quite similar to the one we’ve gone through, just at a larger scale with added steps for leveling.

Here’s how you square a building with a laser level –

Step 1 – Level the Ground

Since you’re doing this on loose dirt, there’s a high chance of low and high points, which may create a slope and mess with the readings. So, level out the ground you’re working on as much as you can. This means filling up all the shallow parts and digging out the raised areas.

Step 2 – Set Up the Laser Level

Set your laser level somewhere that is dry, firm, and flat. Spread out the tripod legs from an equal distance from each other so that the laser level can project a straight beam.

Step 3 – Marking the Outer Area of the Building

Following the measurements in your floor plan, set your laser level at a corner. We recommend starting with the longest side and ending with the shorter ones (porches, entrances, etc.)

Once your laser level is set at the first corner, turn it on. It should project a straight beam across the ground to the next corner directly in front of it. Follow this straight line and make markings with wooden stakes and string.

Step 4 – Repeat

Now, repeat these steps with each side according to your floor plan. While marking with the stakes, use multiples of 4 with each side. This means, on the smallest edges, use 4 or more, and on larger sides, go up to 8, 12, 16, or more. Make sure the distance between each stake is the same so that it will be easier to measure later.

If you need more in-depth details on this process, check out this video.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

That’s all the basic information you need to know on how to use a laser level to square a room. To summarize, squaring is done the best way when the measurements are recorded carefully. So, take time with the process and retake readings if you have to. It’s better to go slow than rush and mess up the project.

If you haven’t already, check out the linked videos on our guide to get more in detail information on using laser level for squaring. Skim through the steps once more before starting your project, and have them stored in your memory to minimize mistakes during your work.