ray210•13d ago

I built two identical garden walls this month, one with a laser level and one with a string line.

The first wall was a 15 foot run for a client in Cedar Rapids, and I set it up with my old trusty string line. It took me about 45 minutes just to get the line perfectly level and secured. The second wall, same specs, I used a basic rotary laser level I borrowed from a guy on the crew. I had the whole layout done in maybe 10 minutes, and the bed joints were way more consistent. I mean, the speed and accuracy difference was huge. Is the laser level really worth the investment for someone who mostly does residential stuff, or is the string line good enough for most jobs?

3 comments

3 Comments

graymiller13d ago

Man, my string line is basically a trip hazard.

lucas15910d ago

Tell me about it. I've tripped over my own line more times than I can count, usually while carrying something heavy. Honestly, it gets old real fast trying to keep it tight and off the ground. Feels like you spend half your time just managing the string instead of getting work done. Tbh, that's why I finally gave up and got a laser level last year.

willow_lee13d ago

You just proved it to yourself, the laser is a game changer for speed. My buddy @graymiller is right about string lines being a trip hazard, but the real cost is the time you waste fussing with them. For residential work where every job is a bit different, that ten minute setup adds up fast. A decent rotary laser pays for itself by saving your back and your sanity on every single layout.