A measurement service is just what it sounds like: Based on your requirements, an appraiser will measure the house's dimensions and square footage, then draw a basic or highly detailed floorplan. The appraiser's report and floorplan is a form that can be used to prove the precise Gross Living Area (GLA), the total livable area, of your home. These services are useful and often essential when disputing property taxes or selling a property.

During a home measurement service, a certified appraiser takes measurements of the home or property with a measuring tool — generally a tape measure or laser measuring device. As they walk the house, they make note of the layout of the rooms and other features, like closets, entryways, and pantries. They may sketch out the property. Then, the appraiser develops a report and a more detailed floorplan showing the total living area of the home and the general layout. The final product is a document that can be used to prove certain details about your property — like the Gross Living Area (GLA) — on tax documents, home listings, and more.

Property tax records often reflect the wrong area of a property because the values can come from various sources, and sometimes go unproven — meaning you may be paying for more space than you own! Unless a certified appraiser has recently completed an evaluation on your property (after any remodeling that might have affected square footage), you'll need an appraiser to perform a measurement service before attempting to challenge what you're taxed. An appraiser will determine an accurate Gross Living Area (GLA) of your property so your taxes reflect your actual square footage — and you can stop paying more than your house is worth.

A floorplan service will ensure that you're paid a fair price for your property. Living space is one of the most important factors potential buyers consider when purchasing a home — but since square footage values are frequently approximated rather than properly measured, your listing might show less Gross Living Area (GLA) than it can take credit for. An inaccurate GLA could potentially reduce the selling price of the property as well as the number of potential buyers. The only dependable method of using a definitive GLA when listing your property is to reference a recent appraisal or home measurement service carried out by a certified appraiser (after any updating that may have affected square footage).