Square footage is an important metric for anyone thinking about buying, selling, renting, or improving space — but what is square footage and how can one determine it? Here’s what to know about square footage and some tips on finding it in a home.
What Is Square Footage?
Square footage is a term commonly used in real estate and architecture, but only some people are familiar with its definition. Put simply, square footage is the measurement of a surface area in square feet. This measurement is typically used to determine the size of a property and is often used in real estate listings to give potential buyers an idea of the space they can expect.
For those choosing between property types, a 1,500-square-foot home will be relatively spacious, while a 750-square-foot apartment might be more suitable for a single person or couple.
Understanding square footage is essential to buying or renting property and can help people make informed decisions about where they choose to live.
Why Is a Home’s Square Footage Important?
The square footage of a home determines its general size and plays a significant role in the amount of available, livable space and the level of functionality a property has.Whether you’re in the market for a new house or planning a custom build, the total square footage is likely one of the first things to consider.
Total square footage not only contributes to the resale value of a home but also determines how well it functions for you and your household. There are several things to remember when looking at square footage, including your budget and lifestyle, to ensure your new home has the space you need to be comfortable.
How square footage is used is also essential. For example, if you have a large household, you may want to allocate the bulk of your home’s square footage to bedrooms. For those who like to entertain, most of the square footage may be given to the living and dining rooms. Those who run a business or work from home could need to assign some square footage to a home office or workspace. Ultimately, how this square footage will be used is one of the most important considerations.
The Average Square Feet of a Home
The average square footage of homes in the United States has increased over the last several decades, with the average square footage of a single-family home at approximately 2,273. In the early 1970s, when the first U.S. Census data became available, the average house size was 1,660 square feet.
Square footage peaked in 2015 when the average house size was 2,687 square feet. But there may be some drawbacks to living in a large home, like costing more to heat and cool, requiring more maintenance, and typically costing more to build.
Zoning laws and consumer demand play a role in the total square footage of many homes built today.
What is Included in a Home’s Square Footage?
A home’s square footage typically only includes the interior space of the home’s living areas and does not account for several other spaces. Square footage usually excludes the following:
Garage
Attic space
Exterior features like decks and patios
While square footage gives a sense of a home’s size, it paints a partial picture of the total livable space or storage a property may offer.
Square footage is far from the only factor to consider when assessing a home’s livability. Homebuyers should also consider other factors like each room’s layout, storage space, ceiling height, and outdoor areas. Additionally, they should pay attention to the quality of materials used in construction and any features that may need repairs or updates.
How to Measure a Home’s Square Footage
Square footage is calculated by multiplying the length and width of a space in feet, which gives you the total square footage for that particular area. For example, if a living room measures 10 feet long and 12 feet wide, it’s 120 square feet (10 x 12 = 120). Start by gathering a measuring tape, calculator, and paper for taking notes.
Don’t forget about closets. Closet space should always be included when calculating a home’s total area because they also take up valuable living space. Measure each closet individually like any other room within your house; no matter how small they seem compared to other areas around it, every inch counts towards making up your home’s overall floor plan.
Calculating Square Footage for Irregularly Shaped Rooms
Knowing the square footage of a room is essential in many renovation and home addition construction projects. However, calculating the square footage of irregularly shaped rooms can be challenging.
To calculate the square footage of an irregularly shaped space, start by dividing the room into smaller, more manageable shapes, such as triangles or rectangles. Then, measure the length and width of each shape and multiply those numbers together. Add up the areas of all the smaller shapes to get the total square footage for the room.
Calculating Square Footage for Multi-Level Spaces
When calculating the square footage of a multi-level space, such as a loft or split level, it’s essential to measure each level separately and add them together for the total square footage. This can be tricky because many multi-level spaces have irregular shapes, making it difficult to calculate exact measurements. Here are some tips to get an accurate estimate of your home’s total square footage.
Measure Each Room On Every Floor Individually
Include closets, hallways, and other living areas in your calculations. Measure from wall to wall using a tape measure or laser distance meter. If there is an open area between two rooms on different levels — like a staircase — measure this space separately and include it in your overall calculation.
Combine All Measurements
Once you’ve gathered all the dimensions of each level, combine them to determine the total square footage for the whole property.
After trying these tips, consider hiring a professional appraiser specializing in real estate valuations and inspections if you still need help accurately measuring your home’s total square footage. An experienced appraiser can provide more precise measurements than you could do yourself with basic tools and knowledge.
Why Are Square Footage Numbers Different Sometimes?
There can be several reasons why the square footage of the same home might differ.A home assessor bases the square footage on tax information they get from local agencies, but they don’t usually verify it by taking measurements, leading to possible discrepancies. Certain appraisers may view spaces differently and consider specific areas of a home “non-livable,” such as a basement or garage, causing square footage totals to be lower. If a property has a fairly new addition built onto it, it may have been permitted incorrectly. If this happens, the assessor isn’t aware of the upgrades and won’t count the expansion toward the property’s total square footage.
Calculating the Square Footage of Different Properties
Other factors may determine the square footage of different properties, such as the type. Condos and apartments may utilize different calculation methods than a standalone single-family home. Calculating the square footage of land is also essential, especially if you plan to build on new land or sell any existing land you already own.
Condos
To appraise a condo correctly, knowing the correct square footage is vital:
Listing agents may hire a professional to come and measure a condo’s floor plan to determine the gross square footage. This total is often used for marketing the space when it’s listed for sale.
Professional measurers usually calculate larger square footage than the legal strata plan, a document registered at the Land Title Office and containing an estimated “true square footage” of a condo.
The horizontal space between the interior unit side and the exterior walls of the building defines some condos.
Certain condo developers use the ANSI method, which measures from the centerline of the walls between the units. For example, if a wall is 10 inches thick, it would add five inches to the overall square footage calculation.
Some finished areas that protrude from a condo unit may account for the total square footage, such as awnings or entryways that lead to the front door.
In most cases, condos are measured from inside wall to inside wall without including the width of the wall. Townhomes use exterior measurements and typically account for half the width of commonly shared walls.
Apartments
There are several ways to account for apartment square footage, including walls-out, ANSI, walls-in total space, walls-in livable space, and the estimating method.
For the walls-out method, an apartment is measured from the inside walls and taken from architectural drawings. The ANSI method measures the property’s exterior and doesn’t subtract the walls. The walls-in total space method includes every square foot, including closets and non-livable spaces. The walls-in livable space method does not include closets and non-livable spaces. Finally, the estimating method is exactly as the name implies: some apartment complexes give renters a general guesstimate of how much square footage a unit has.
Land
Measuring a land plot differs from a home, condo, or apartment. It’s a good idea to check the deed of the property to look at the survey and get accurate boundary lines and measurements. If no pre-existing deed is available, hire a professional survey company to take measurements for you.
You can also use a simple calculation to determine the total square footage of land: Multiply the length by the width of the land to get its square footage. A good rule of thumb is that one acre of land contains 43,560 square feet.
How Do Homebuilders Calculate Square Footage?
Homebuilders calculate square footage based on two primary methods: the home’s size from the outside of the wall framing or the outside of the siding material. This means an all-brick home has the potential to be several-hundred feet larger than the same layout with standard exterior siding.
Overall, the total square footage is up to the individual builder to determine. Some may include every square foot, while others could leave out non-livable areas (such as the attic or an exterior outbuilding). Even if a homeowner pays to heat or cool a space, some builders may not include these spaces in their property’s square footage.
Other Ways to Calculate a Home’s Square Footage
You can calculate a home’s square footage in several other ways to get the most accurate number possible.
Check Property Records
Property records of existing homes should include the property’s square footage. You can find these records at your local county courthouse, county clerk recorder’s office, or city hall. Other county or city departments may also have property records on file. Perform a search online or contact your local jurisdiction to get a copy of a specific property record.
Hire an Appraiser
Professional real estate appraisers measure a home for tax and lending purposes. The appraiser will first measure the home’s exterior using a tape or laser measuring tool. The appraiser will use the exterior building dimensions per floor to calculate the gross living area and exclude garages and basements from the total room count. Even if a basement is slightly above ground level, appraisers do not include it in a home’s total livable square footage.
When measuring condos or co-op properties, appraisers use the interior perimeter of the unit to calculate its gross living area.
How to Increase Your Home’s Square Footage
There are some things homeowners can do to increase their home’s square footage, whether it’s for resale or functionality purposes.
The Best Projects for Adding More Square Footage
There are several ways to add square footage to your home, but the key is to choose add-ons that make the property more functional. For example, adding another bathroom is an upgrade that should bring more profit and viability to an existing home. A half-bathroom is a fairly affordable project, or you can convert an existing half-bath into a modern full-size bathroom to receive a good ROI.
Another option could be to enclose the home’s porch or patio. An enclosed outside area adds functionality and year-round enjoyment to a space. A four-season sunroom is particularly smart if you want to increase square footage.
You can expand smaller rooms to add square footage to a home. Build a bump-out to an existing room to give your home a larger footprint. This is a relatively easy and affordable way to bring more functionality to a smaller space without worrying about extra plumbing and HVAC work. Give unfinished rooms like a laundry room, basement, or workshop a makeover to increase livable square footage. A FROG or finished room over the garage can serve as an extra bedroom or home office space.
Costs & Other Considerations
Consider the cost and other factors if you add to your home. If you plan to sell your home, consider which upgrades will bring you the most return on your investment. You may need a loan or a cash-out refinance to fund the project. However, there may be some easy upgrades you can tackle yourself to save money. For example, adding new drywall and flooring to an unfinished room is a straightforward, affordable DIY project that many homeowners can take on.
More extensive, involved renovations like adding a new bathroom can be costly and tend to require the help of a trained professional. The pros should handle anything that involves plumbing or electrical work. Determine your budget ahead of time to see how much money you’re able and willing to spend. Then, look at the benefits versus the downsides of each renovation project. Doing so will help you determine which ones you’re willing to take on and whether or not they’ll benefit you.
Determine Your Home’s Square Footage Today
It is an estimate of a property’s size but does not consider other important considerations. Homebuyers should use this metric as one piece of the puzzle when assessing a home, but they should also consider other factors such as layout and quality of construction.
Calculating square footage is a crucial step when buying or selling a home. Knowing the exact measurements of each room and what to include in your calculations can help you determine how much your property is worth or get started on a new home improvement project.
