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.
How do you find the square footage of a house?
Multiply the rectangle’s length by its width to get the area in square feet. Write this number down in the corresponding space on your sketch. Add up the total area. Sum up the square feet of each rectangle to measure the total square footage of the house.
How do you calculate square feet of waste in a house?
For example, the average house in the U.S. has 1580 square feet of exterior walls area. This amount, multiplied by 12.5%, equals 197.5. That is 197.5 sq. ft. of waste allowance. Add that to your total sq. ft, and you have 1,777.5 sq. ft.
How do you calculate the square feet of siding?
Next, you have to convert 1440 square inches to square feet. A square foot = 144 sq. in. Therefore, you divide the number of square inches total by a square foot (144 sq. in.), and you get your total square feet of siding in each panel: Sometimes, your exterior wall height will be a few inches taller than the height of accumulated panels.
How do you calculate the square footage of a step?
Measure the length and width of the horizontal surface of the second step from the bottom. Multiply the two numbers to get the total number of square inches of the step. Count the number of steps and multiply that number times the average square inches of each step.
Is the second story included in square footage?
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.
What is the measurement of a two-story house?
A 2 story house with average height ceilings (9 feet high) is about 20 feet tall. This is factoring in additional footage from the depth or thickness of the floor (about one foot on average) and space above the ceiling (up to 2 feet in homes with drop ceilings).
Can you look up the square footage of a house?
The simplest place to start your research is the property tax assessor's website for your county. Assessments are public records, so they're free to look up online or off.
How do Realtors calculate 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).
How do appraisers measure square footage?
Some appraisers will measure square footage with a good old measuring tape, albeit a large one. Others come equipped with those new state-of-the-art laser devices. I have been present when an appraiser will just eyeball a difficult-to-measure space or even do the wide-arm measurement.
Does the garage count in the square footage of the house?
Garage space is not included in square footage, and many standards do not count basements (even if they're finished) in overall square footage. Either way, make sure to measure the basement's square footage for your records — you can still include it in any future property listings.
Are basements included in square footage?
Does a basement count toward overall square footage? As a general rule of thumb, listing agents and appraisers don't count a finished basement toward the overall square footage, especially if the basement is completely below grade—a term that means below ground level.
Is house square footage measured inside or outside?
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). If your home exterior is easily accessible, you can do it yourself with a 100-foot tape measure.
How to Calculate Square Feet
You probably know how to calculate the square footage of a simple room without any funny shapes. Just break out your measuring tape—or a laser meas...
How to Calculate The Square Footage of An Entire Home
While measuring a single room is no big deal, people get kind of intimidated when it comes to calculating the square footage of an entire home. Whi...
Take The Square Foot Calculation With A Grain of Salt
Now that you know how to calculate the square footage of a home, it's time to bust your bubble with a big caveat: A square footage calculation is s...
How to calculate square feet of a house
You probably know how to calculate the square footage of a simple room without any funny shapes. Just break out your measuring tape—or a laser measure —to get its length and width. Multiply the width by the length and voila! You have the square footage. Say a room is 20 feet wide by 13 feet long, then 20 x 13 = 260 square feet.
How to calculate the square footage of an entire house
While measuring a single room is no big deal, people get kind of intimidated when it comes to calculating the square footage of an entire home. While homes can initially seem “daunting to measure, they’re just a collection of small boxes,” says Mario Mazzamuto of SF Bay Appraisal . Don’t sweat it if a room has an outcropping.
How many square feet is my house? Take the square foot calculation with a grain of salt
Now that you know how to calculate the square footage of a home, it’s time to bust your bubble with a big caveat: A square footage calculation is surprisingly subjective based on who’s doing the measuring. For instance, you measured the actual, livable square footage between the interior walls.
Why is square footage important in appraisal?
Because square footage is so vital in appraising a home, it’s important to pay close attention to what is being measured. Some sellers may include an unfinished basement in their square footage, giving you an inaccurate picture of the livable portion of the home. And architects and appraisers often calculate square footage by using exterior walls, ...
What happens if you claim 2,000 square feet?
If you claim that your home is 2,000 square feet based on your builder’s floor plans, and a buyer’s appraiser brings back a figure of 1,600, you could lose the sale or need to lower your price. Similarly, as a buyer, make sure to do your research and get an independent square footage to ensure you’re getting what you pay for.
What is the GLA of a house?
Square footage of a house (GLA) For most people, the gross floor area or gross living area (GLA) of a home is what they’re thinking when they hear “square footage.”. Sketch a floor plan of the home’s interior. Draw each floor separately, and don’t include unfinished areas, patios, porches and exterior staircases.
How to draw a floor plan for a house?
Sketch a floor plan of the home’s interior. Draw each floor separately, and don’t include unfinished areas, patios, porches and exterior staircases. Break down the house into measurable rectangles. The more rectangles the better. This takes the guesswork out of rooms or hallways that don’t have perfectly flush walls.
Is there a standard for measuring square footage?
There’s no established standard for measuring a residential property, and everyone seems to measure square footage differently. But if you get it wrong, it can affect your home’s value. There’s no need to be nervous about calculating your home’s square footage, however. Let’s look at how easy it actually is to measure a home’s square footage ...
Is garage space included in square footage?
Garage space is not included in square footage, and many standards do not count basements (even if they’re finished) in overall square footage. Either way, make sure to measure the basement’s square footage for your records — you can still include it in any future property listings.
What to do as a buyer
First off, start by referring to your city’s building department records. Many city and county records are now available online, which makes getting this info much easier than it used to be. Some updates – like unpermitted remodeling – may not be reflected in the records, but it will still provide a good baseline.
Check it yourself
As a buyer, it can be helpful to know how to calculate square footage of a house yourself; just multiply the length and width of all applicable rooms in the home. All you’ll need to get started is a 100 sq ft tape measure, some graph paper, and a pencil.
