The balance point is very important to the flying qualities of an airplane, but measuring to 1/16th inch accuracy in order to peg some pre-determined point is not necessary or helpful.

I cut a two thin strips of masking tape, make a measurement, and stick them on the wings at the balance point I want (length of the thin strip parallel to the wing span). Then I check balance at that point, using my finger tips and do what, if anything, I need to get it close. Then I fly the plane. If it's too stable in pitch, I move the CG back a little and try again. If too neutral, or unstable, then forward.

I have found many plans give very conservative balance points. For example, my BUSA Stick 40+ and Stingray both had balance points much further forward than they needed to be. A quick calculation (wing area, stab area, wing chord, and tail arm) showed I should be safe with the CG 3/4 inch aft of point shown on the plans. Knowing that made it much easier to set up the plane, because I didn't have to make heroic efforts to get the CG so far forward. With these and other planes I have often done maiden flights with the CG farther back than the one on the plans. On the other hand, an RCM plan had a mistake and showed a balance point too far back. First flight was like a bucking bronco. Ever since I've done a calculation on every plane before I fly it. But measuring very accurately is not so important because the point you are trying to achieve may not be so appropriate anyway.

I liked the old Goldberg plans, and some others, that showed a range, because that is the reality for any airplane. And what point you wind up picking depends on how you like the plane to fly.