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Tim, we have been using the tape dolly for  many years and it works very well. I suggest everyone get it, as it does allow you to measure from the ladder or ground on  steep unclimbable roof.

To reinforce what Tom said, I don't use the tape dolly often, but after using it the first time, I decided it had already been worth the money spent.

I have one, and it works great on asphalt comp roofs. Here's their web site http://tapedolly.com/ 

I inspected a wood shake roof Wednesday (12/12 Widow-maker with wood shingles so deteriorated they crumbled like potato chips). No way was I getting on that roof without my rope - harness - ascender - descender gear, but it wasn't worth taking the time because the roof was 99% deteriorated with "burn through" deteriorating down to the felt between wood layers, with very isolated missing shingle and ridge.

So - I was sitting there wondering if I was going to bother measuring out this 5,000 Sf house if I wasn't going to allow to replace the roof... plus it was a cheap flat-rate assignment that was not paying me well personally.

So I took photos from the eve, using 2 story ladder placed against 1 story eve so I was standing a yard or so above the gutter, photos of deterioration and damage came out great.

Then I got my tape-dolly, and it WOULD NOT navigate over the curled-cupped-lifted wood roof. No way.

So I did what I have done before getting the tape-dolly, grabbed an old water bottle and cut a slice, poked in the Fat - Max and it was able to "bump up" the roof and make it to the ridge. If it didn't I would have thrown my fiberglass tape with tennis ball to the ridge.

I do like the Tape-Dolly, and plan on going by a hobby store and see if I can "customize" mine with bigger wheels. The ones that come on it are great for asphalt roofs, and I would justify buying a 2nd one and putting big wheels on for mission tile - wood roofs.

Unlike a water bottle being pushed up the slope, the wheels on the tape dolly do a great job of staying in line with where you want it to go. If you just use a film canister or soda-can with slice cut in it, the tape will go up 20' or so and start to slide sideways on you.

some folks swear you can measure the rafter length with the fat max laser by standing in one spot and subracting the drip from the ridge, if you have glasses to see the laser spot.... never tried this, but I will on a crispy critter like Bob described.

Yea you are right Bob, you know if an adjuster can not measure the distance-length-size of any object he is reporting on their career is finished. My trainers said if you report "I got as close too it as I could" the files would always pass through. They were correct.

Hi everyone.

I am not an adjuster. I am a roofer, and please before anyone throws anything.... I am an honest one. No giggling. I tell the truth. My Wife and kids will back it up.

I am also the first person to admit that I don't know everything so I try my best to learn from others who have relevent expeirience in my field. I was hoping I could leave a good tape measure tip and in turn someone might know about a sketching product I have been looking for.

My roof drawings always end up looking like bad tic tac toe games. An adjuster I met on a roof in Florida, had a plastic sheet that was etched with fine lines. He would place a plain peice of paper over that plastic sheet , and be able to draw  perfect scetchs everytime. He could do a scale drawing quicker than I could jot down my cave art.

Ok, here is my tip. Most likely, the majority of everyone here already knows this.

Ping Pong Balls.

Cut a small slit and force your tape into the ball. They are light, so the wind won't easily catch it. Small enough to just stick it in your pocket and have one less hassle when you are on a roof. Being round, they skip over almost anything. I can't remember a single time they have not worked for me. Except when I forget to bring them. They are also small enough that your measurments are very accurate and iif by some off chance your tape and ball get stuck under an overhang or something. Just yank it out of the ball and leave it up there. You can cut a slit in the ball and insert it or just glue it on the end with liquid nails or something.

I guess I measure 200 or so roofs or so a year. Never had one yet, that could beat that ball trick. I hope that this tip is of use to someone. If anyone knows any good sources of information for a roofer who aspires to be one of the best I would certainly appreciate any advice.

And the name of that sketchy thing.

Thanks all.

Sean, I believe the product yo are looking for is called Acculine. Find them at acculines.com. I use one, they take a little getting used to, but once you figure them out, you won't go out without it. Try it with a mechanical pencil. Gives a thin line that won't jump the grooves.

JWG

Sean if you give the customer a proposal with a diagram and the total sqs and your sales price, this is a giant step foward to get more jobs as the lump sum will always be questioned by an adjuster or your competators.

I use one of these on steep slopes, just remove the rubber end and insert a painters extension handle or two