I am 6’ 2". When I raise my arm straight up it is just short of 8’. If I hold my (plastic) clipboard in my hand it adds about another foot, totaling 9’. I do this when standing under the lowest area and if the SEC appear to be within a foot of my clipboard, I write it up.
All you need is a 29¢ plastic protractor, a piece of string, and a weight. It’s just silly to spend more than a dollar to do something you probably learned how to do (or ought to have) in sixth grade math class using your normal school supplies.
Do they still teach math? Hard to tell with most kids today!
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Can you educate us on how you do that George?
For objects of any height, use a protractor. For the mathematically challenged, when measuring houses, trees, and other things of similar height, all that is needed is a simple right triangle.A right triangle can be made by folding a square piece of paper.
This video shows the protractor method. When I was in 5th grade, I got into flying model rockets. I would measure the maximum altitude of the rocket (anywhere from a few hundred feet to approximately 2500’) using a protractor. Obviously, a right triangle isn’t practical for measuring that high.
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Well, I used to do that in building all the time but was using my transit. I did surveying too but never knew how to do that with a protractor.
In this case, your H.I. is your eyes. LOL
Thanks, George
I do remember that from school but needed that refresher (it’s been a few years). Same thing my laser measure does but you have to do the math. See how lazy I’ve become.
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There’s an easier way that requires no aids. Extend one arm at at a 45° angle, fingers extended, and the other down at a 45° angle. Use your arm that is pointing up as your site line and pace it off. It isn’t as precise as using a protractor but it requires no math. The measurement is close enough for determining heights and elevations.
After a little practice, you will always put your arms in the right positions without measuring the angles.
When we were in school, we didn’t have gadgets to help us. Handheld calculators didn’t exist so we had to be good at doing arithmetic.
That is why today if the power goes out this generation can’t give you your change on a 5 dollar bill. 
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I don’t see how eyeballing something at a 45° angle is accurate enough to put in an inspection report.
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We had slide rules. Still got one around here somewhere.
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Sad. I love confusing people at checkout…
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I phone has a pretty accurate measuring tape
The measurement is easy to do and requires no special tools. For that matter, it requires no tools at all if you know basic geometry, can hold your arm at a 45° angle, and know the length of your gate (stride). The measurement will be accurate to within a few inches. However, the measurement at the time of the inspections has limited relevance if you don’t record the temperature and calculate SI and SF. Calculating SI and SF involves taking into account more than only temperature. Those calculations are usually done by utility companies.
I have never known a home inspector to make those calculations. Doing so is well outside the scope of a home inspection. Most electrical contractors I know don’t know how to do the calculations. I do a brief overview of the process in the electrical classes I teach for InterNACHI but, only so inspectors don’t go out and make fools of themselves. I don’t go into doing the actual calculations.
When did measuring the above ground electric service become a home inspection thingy?
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Good question. Is it part of the HI SOP?
That doesn’t surprise me that you don’t understand. Many public schools offer remedial math classes for adults at little or no cost. Maybe you can find a junior high school level geometry class.
Hmmm, here is Mr. Customer paying hundreds, maybe a thousand dollars for an inspection report and the professional HI says that he used his hand to measure height of the service drop. The fact that someone would even suggest that as part of a professional inspection is a disgrace.
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Only if it is less than minimum required height.