Are you using the “5 foot rule” when calculating square footage? - Sacramento Appraisal Blog (2024)

FAQs

Are you using the “5 foot rule” when calculating square footage? - Sacramento Appraisal Blog? ›

Did you know any portion of a wall below five feet in height is NOT considered to be living area? This is called the “5-foot rule” for calculating square footage, and the image below will help illustrate the rule.

Most appraisers take a hand drawn sketch and copy the information into a sketch software that calculates the overall square footage of the building. Once the appraiser has the exterior dimensions of the home, they can determine the gross living area.

To find the square feet of a room, multiply the length of the room by the width of the room. The length and width can be found by measuring the distance between the two sets of walls opposite each other in your room.

Adjustments are calculated by multiplying an adjustment factor times the quantity difference between the subject and comparable. For example, if the GLA for the subject is 2200 sq ft and for a comparable, 2000 sq ft, the difference, 200 sq ft would be multiplied by the adjustment factor.

So we call that something else a studio, casita, accessory unit, pool house, she shed, or whatever. It's just not the main house, which is why it's not included within the square footage.

It should be the footprint of the house, on the outside, that is measured. It is the livable space, heated and cooled, that is considered for square footage. Garages, decks, patios, porches, and the like are not considered part of that measurement.

The next step in how to calculate square footage is to plug your measurements into the square footage formula: L x W = A (in square feet). How to find square feet: multiply the length measurement in feet by the width measurement (in feet).

If it is, then any part of the room with a ceiling of 5 feet (1.52 m) or higher should be included [source: Boddy]. If not, you shouldn't include any of that space. As for rooms in the house that aren't finished, like basem*nts or attics, they should not be included in the total square footage.

The California room is classified as an outdoor space since it is open to the outdoors and not heated or cooled. Therefore it is technically not a room and not included in the square footage of a house.

Spaces like garages, three-season porches and unfinished basem*nts or attics are not included in the square footage of a house. But if a basem*nt or attic has been “finished,” then the space may be included in the home's square footage if it also meets ceiling height requirements.

Is the square footage on an appraisal accurate? ›

Although deemed reliable, some information is not always as accurate as it should be. You should verify measurements and other information. Also consider the new ANSI code for some areas that may not be calculated into the square footage valuation and are added as an extra room area.

Calculate the square footage by multiplying the length of the room by the width in feet. Square or rectangle with extras. If you have an oddly shaped room, you can make the process easier by breaking a room down into smaller rectangles. Measure a nook separately from the rest of the room, for example.

Negligence: One way negligence claims can occur concerns the square footage of a property. Since appraisers are supposed to measure a property but often don't, a client may feel they were being taken advantage of for the benefit of the appraiser's time.

Garages and unfinished areas cannot be included in the calculation of finished square footage. Chimneys, windows, and other finished areas that protrude beyond the exterior finished surface of the outside walls and do not have a floor on the same level cannot be included in the calculation of square footage.

So, does garage included in square footage? No, if you leave it be and have no intentions on turning it into a living space. However, it's a yes if your garage has finished walls and flooring, air conditioning and a suitable height.

Typically a laser will be used to get an accurate measurement of your home, although a measuring wheel may be used in some circ*mstances. It is essential to allow the appraiser access to all sides of your house while he is measuring.

The appraiser, on the other hand, evaluates the total value of a home. That means calculating square footage that includes everything, even an unheated basem*nt, attic, and other nonliving spaces.

Some of the primary characteristics compared are the square footage, room count, lot size, garage size, backyard amenities, etc. Check out how Appraisers measure square footage.

What Does a Home Appraiser Look At? A property's appraisal value is influenced by recent sales of similar properties and by current market trends. The home's amenities, including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the floor plan's functionality, and the square footage are also key factors.