diff --git a/speckle/objects/base.py b/speckle/objects/base.py
index 723a4d3..4202859 100644
--- a/speckle/objects/base.py
+++ b/speckle/objects/base.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from pydantic.main import Extra
 from typing import Dict, List, Optional, Any
 from speckle.transports.memory import MemoryTransport
 from speckle.logging.exceptions import SpeckleException
-
+from speckle.objects.units import get_units_from_string
 
 PRIMITIVES = (int, float, str, bool)
 
@@ -13,8 +13,10 @@ class Base(BaseModel):
     totalChildrenCount: Optional[int] = None
     applicationId: Optional[str] = None
     speckle_type: Optional[str] = "Base"
+    _units: str = "m"
     _chunkable: Dict[str, int] = {}  # dict of chunkable props and their max chunk size
     _chunk_size_default: int = 1000
+    _detachable: List[str] = []  # list of defined detachable props
 
     def __init__(self, **kwargs) -> None:
         super().__init__()
@@ -39,6 +41,14 @@ class Base(BaseModel):
             attr.__set__(self, value)
         super().__setattr__(name, value)
 
+    @property
+    def units(self):
+        return self._units
+
+    @units.setter
+    def units(self, value: str):
+        self._units = get_units_from_string(value)
+
     def to_dict(self) -> Dict:
         """Convenience method to view the whole base object as a dict"""
         base_dict = self.__dict__
diff --git a/speckle/objects/units.py b/speckle/objects/units.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..533be79
--- /dev/null
+++ b/speckle/objects/units.py
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+from speckle.logging.exceptions import SpeckleException
+
+UNITS = ["mm", "cm", "m", "in", "ft", "yd", "mi"]
+
+UNITS_STRINGS = {
+    "mm": ["mm", "mil", "millimeters", "millimetres"],
+    "cm": ["cm", "centimetre", "centimeter", "centimetres", "centimeters"],
+    "m": ["m", "meter", "meters", "metre", "metres"],
+    "in": ["in", "inch", "inches"],
+    "ft": ["ft", "foot", "feet"],
+    "yd": ["yd", "yard", "yards"],
+    "mi": ["mi", "mile", "miles"],
+}
+
+
+def get_units_from_string(unit: str):
+    unit = str.lower(unit)
+    for name, alternates in UNITS_STRINGS.items():
+        if unit in alternates:
+            return name
+
+    raise SpeckleException(
+        message=f"Could not understand what unit {unit} is referring to. Please enter a valid unit (eg {UNITS})."
+    )