Depends on how accurate you want to be. I have a ultrasonic measure with a laser pointer, also does areas and volumes. It cost me about £ 35 or £40 (old age cant remember which). it isn't 100% but near enough. I only use on commercial jobs, unless I want to try and impress a domestic client. recently used it to quote some curtains 19 feet high x 40 feet wide. Lets see you use a tape measure on those.