Dan Hartung wrote in :

I would like to use a laser level for this job, but would it help? Would
I have to buy a pro tool that costs hundreds of dollars to be of use? Am
I stuck using squares, bubble levels, plumb bobs, chalk lines, and other
tools?


A laser level is wonderful for "drawing" a straight line over a distance,
and you can then use that line as a reference point anywhere.
Be sure to buy a unit that draws a plane (or "sheet") of light,
not just a circular beam. Something like this one:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...=00 948247000

For measuring absolute level over a large distance, buy a water level:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...ren cy=2&SID=

Use the water level to mark some perfectly level endpoints,
and then use the laser to draw a perfectly straight line between
those two points. You can then use a tape measure to see how far
your walls or floors are out of true.