When you start a new project you will probably use the scale option in your object menu to display the size of the build. Sometimes when you want to make a change to an already existing / downloaded object, you will see that the scale is set to 1 x 1 x 1. This therefore makes it complicated to make a change.
To see the true dimensions of the object:
– select the object
– move your curser into the window
– press N
– scroll down to Dimensions in the Transformation area