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Tape measure
5 m or 8 m with a firm blade. Check that the hook moves freely: it slides to account for its own thickness on inside and outside measurements.
Laser distance meter
Measures a wall in a second, alone. Handy for big rooms; less useful for short cuts.
Combination square and speed square
For square cut lines across planks and for 45° marks.
Chalk line
Snaps a long straight reference line on the subfloor. Indispensable for herringbone, chevron, diagonal and tile layouts.
Straightedge or long level
A 2 m straightedge shows dips and humps in the subfloor. Measure the gap under it to compare with the flatness tolerance.
Moisture meter
Pin meters measure the moisture content of wood boards and timber subfloors. Use it before installing solid or engineered wood.
Contour gauge
Copies the profile of a door frame or pipe so you can trace it onto a plank.
Pencil and compasses
A carpenter's pencil marks dark laminate and wood; compasses scribe the first row to a crooked wall.