QA

Question: How Do You Figure Square Footage Of A House

If the property is a perfect rectangle, simply measure the length and width and multiply those two numbers together. For example, if your one-story house is 60 feet wide by 40 feet long, then your property is 2,400 square feet (60 x 40 = 2,400).

What is included in the square footage of a house?

When an appraiser calculates the square footage of a home, it will only measure interior spaces that are heated and cooled. This includes bedrooms (and closets), bathrooms, hallways, kitchen, and living areas, as well as enclosed patios, and finished attics.

Is square footage of a house measured inside or outside?

The standard practice calls for measuring square footage from your exterior walls, as opposed to measuring the actual interior dimensions of each room. This includes each wall as part of your square footage, although it obviously isn’t usable space.

How do you get the square footage of your house?

To calculate the square footage of a room that is rectangular or square, simply multiply the length of the room by the width. For example, if a room is 11 feet long and the width is 15 feet, then the total square footage of that room is 165 square feet (11×15 = 165).

Does square footage include second floor?

To be included in the square footage, an attic would first need to meet the same criteria as any other space — heating, flooring, ceiling and wall covering. The second level of a 1.5-story home often can be included in the finished square footage count, but only if the ceilings are of sufficient height.

How does Zillow calculate square footage?

Multiply the rectangle’s length by its width to get the area in square feet.

Does a heated garage count as square footage?

The size of a home is measured in square feet of living space, which does not include a garage. Total square feet of living space is different from total area under the roof, another type of home measurement. Total area under the roof includes porches, garages and balconies.

Are basements included in square footage?

But, your real estate professional is correct, the square footage of your basement cannot be included in the size of your home for listing purposes. Below grade spaces include lower levels and basements. The RMS size of a property is, essentially, the sum of its above grade levels.

How do appraisers calculate square footage?

An agent may calculate square footage based on how much living space there is—in other words, areas of the home that are heated such as the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and so on. The appraiser, on the other hand, evaluates the total value of a home.

Is wall thickness included in square footage?

Calculations for the square footage of a home are taken from the outside dimensions of the structure (so exterior and interior wall thickness is included).

Does ceiling height affect square footage?

The square footage of a room is the total floor area of that room — so a high ceiling, or height, plays no role.

Is square footage just first floor?

Two-Story Homes Measure the first floor just as for a single-story home. If the second floor is the same size as the first floor, then just double the square footage to find the square footage of the entire home.

Is stairs included in square footage?

Stairs: Runs/treads and landings both count in square footage totals. They are measured as a part of the floor “from which they descend,” so are generally counted twice in a typical two-story home with a basement.

Is covered patio included in square footage?

Answer: An enclosed patio usually does not count in the square footage unless it is more like the home than not. Enclosed patios often have a lower quality compared to the rest of the house, and they don’t usually have the same feel as other parts of the home either.

Who is responsible for verifying square footage in a home?

To get independent confirmation of the square footage, you may have to hire an architect or appraiser to re-measure the property. Or you can get a rough idea of its size by multiplying the length and width of every habitable room, then multiplying the total by 1.3, which will factor in halls and bathrooms.

Is square footage accurate on Zillow?

It’s as accurate as the listing agent makes it. The listing agent generally fills out a form everybody else simply copies it. Square footage is often derived from State Property Tax records (Maryland SDAT) rarely includes finished basements or recent bathrooms or un-permitted work.

Does a laundry room count as square footage?

In most areas, any room with finished walls, a ceiling, and heating and/or air-conditioning is considered usable square footage. Even the closets are counted as part of the square footage inside the home, so the laundry room should be too.

Can a guest house be included in square footage?

Selling Your Home: Potential for Profit A guest house can add significant property value when it’s time to sell your home. Simply by having a guest house attached to your home, you’re adding a decent amount to the home’s total square footage.

Does square footage include balcony?

Typically, a balcony, terrace, or patio isn’t included in the square footage calculations of a residence. For an area of a building to be ‘counted’, the traditional rule is that it must be fully enclosed, heated, and most importantly, liveable.