Footings and Setting out

Setting out.

How to set out a job
Start by determining where the construction is to be situated.

• First step, is to run a string line along where the construction boundary or wall is to go, make the ends of the line go well past where the construction is going.

• Second step, run another string line along at 90 degrees to the first along another boundary of where the construction is to go. Make sure the first two string lines are square to each other, this can be achieved with a square or measuring along the lines. This is done with the 3,4 and 5 method. For better accuracy use multiples of the 3,4,and 5. (ie. 6,8, and 10 or 12, 16, and 20 and so on)

• Third step, run two more string lines at the size that your construction is going to be, so now you will have a rectangle or square set out with string lines. Measure them to make sure the sizes are correct.

• Forth step, measure the diagonals to make sure the construction is square, they should be the same measurement, if not, move one of the lines that is opposite to your already squared corner until the diagonals measure the same. This is the most important step, as it will insure that the construction is square.

A basic Google Sketchup File of setting out. (cache)

Building