Have you ever wondered what square foot numbers mean? What do they include? Or more importantly, what should it include? I thought it would be helpful to define how our square foot numbers are calculated, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
Back in the day, we would calculate square footage by hand. Dad taught me how to do it. In fact, one of my favorite “games” is sitting down with a set of house plans to compute a square foot take-off (nerd alert!). We used to do it all the time. Dad would sit down and compute based on his calcs, I would do mine, and then we’d compare. Seldom did our numbers match exactly, but wewere always within 10-15 square feet of each other. I guess using a scale to calculate a set of plans is becoming a lost art since everything is computerized now.
But I still love my scale. It was handed down to me by Earl Heninger. Earl was a dear friend of our family and Dad’s first hire at NDI.
Earl helped Dad run the company until he retired in 1997 (althougheven in his retirement he was still helping us!). When I started with NDI in 2001, he gave me his scale and his staple remover.
Earl passed away in 2016 so these items are a treasure to me. He had written his name in Whiteoutwhich has worn off over the years…
So how should square footage be calculated? Here is how we calculate square footage, but first, a fewthings to remember…
When you see a base square foot number on our marketing material, it is only for the finished areas on the first and second floors. Unfinished basem*nts and garages (per plan) are not included in that number.
We don’t count it as square footage unless you can step on it or sit on it (in the case of a window seat).
We don’t count stairs in the second floor numbers, and we don’t count the upper area of a 2-story Family Room or Foyer(doing so is just down right deceptive).
The First Floor
When calculating finished square footage (also called taxable), measurements are pulled from the outside of the framed wall to outside of the framed wall and everything in between including the stairs. We do not count porches or garages. In the sketch below, you will see the shaded areas represent what can be counted as finished square footage.
The Second Floor
When calculating finished square footage (also called taxable) on the second floor, measurements are also pulled from the outside of the framed wall to outside of the framed wall and everything in between. The stairs and any 2-story ceilings are NOT counted in the second floor number (they are represented in the first floor number). In the sketch below, you will see the shaded areas represent what can be counted as finished square footage.
Finished Basem*nts
When calculating finished square footage in the basem*nt, measurements are pulled from the inside of the concrete wall to inside of the concrete wall and everything in between. We include the stairs in our finished basem*nt price so that isn’t counted in our numbers. The finished basem*nt bathroom is counted separately since it is priced separately. And we do not count unfinished areas. In the sketch below, you will see the shaded areas represent what can be counted as finished square footage.
I hope this helps you understand what we mean when we publish a square foot number. We want you to know what you’re getting – no more, no less.
Square footage is a measurement of area and can be calculated by multiplying the length of a room by its width. For example, let's say you want to know the square footage of your living room. It measures 12 feet by 10 feet, so you will multiply 12 by 10.
Measure the length and width, in feet, of each room. Then, multiply the length by the width to calculate that room's square footage. For example: If a bedroom is 12 feet by 20 feet, it is 240 square feet (12 x 20 = 240).
Unfinished areas, screened or open patios, vaulted rooms, and airspaces are not factored into a home's square footage. Additionally, any space that requires passing through an unfinished area – such as a pool house, storage area, or guest house will not be factored into the home's square footage.
The second floor of a house would be calculated separately. If listed, you would share the square footage of a home per floor. Also, a finished attic space that is fit for living and has at least seven feet of clearance can be measured and included.
Price per square foot is typically calculated by dividing the purchase or list price of a home by the overall total square footage of the home. For example, if a 1,000 square feet home is priced at $200,000, the price per square foot is $200. Price per square foot is a metric frequently used in real estate.
We need to multiply the given number by itself to find its square number. The square term is always represented by a number raised to the power of 2. For example, the square of 6 is 6 multiplied by 6, i.e., 6×6 = 62 = 36. Thus, to find the square of single-digit numbers, we can simply multiply them by itself.
Square Foot Method – In appraisal, a method of estimating the replacement cost of a structure; it involves multiplying the cost per square foot of a recently built comparable structure by the number of square feet in the subject structure.
The formula to calculate the area of a rectangular or square piece of land is to multiply its length and width. The formula to use is A = length x width. You can also use online area calculators to calculate the area in a flash second.
Note that it is a buyer's responsibility to verify the square footage of a house before buying. Most states in the USA follow the 'caveat emptor' rule, meaning the buyer must follow due diligence before buying a property.
Garage and basem*nts aren't usually included in the square footage of a house. This is often true even if the basem*nt is finished because it's below ground level. However, some states do allow you to include finished basem*nts when they have safe ways to enter and exit.
What about stairwells and closets? Any space that has walls, flooring, ceiling and heat would count as finished square footage. So, it's likely that stairwells, closets, walk-in pantries and other areas you might be questioning would contribute to the square footage count of a home.
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.
So things such as porches, garages, attic storage and unfinished spaces are not included in that calculation. Also, the total square footage of a house is measured from outside to outside of framing or foundation and not the inside dimensions of rooms.
What Rooms Are Included in Square Footage? Rooms that will typically be included in a home's square footage are any finished rooms that have a ceiling, walls, and a floor, such as living room, bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and finished basem*nts.
Generally, appraisers and listing agents don't count a basem*nt toward the overall square footage of a home. Most appraisers will never count a basem*nt if it's below grade, meaning it is beneath ground level. Whether appraisers count a basem*nt depends on where you live.
What Rooms Are Included in Square Footage? Rooms that will typically be included in a home's square footage are any finished rooms that have a ceiling, walls, and a floor, such as living room, bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and finished basem*nts.
Stairways and closets will usually be included in the square footage length. When it comes to porches and other outdoor spaces, they're usually only included if they use the same heating system as the rest of the house.
What's included in a home's square footage? Main living spaces make up the bulk of your home's square footage, including the kitchen, the living room, the dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Stairways and hallways are also included, although these spaces are not as easy to measure as square rooms.
Hobby: Flower arranging, Yo-yoing, Tai chi, Rowing, Macrame, Urban exploration, Knife making
Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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