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08 Jun 2024

How to Calculate the Square Footage of a Home (and Why It’s Important)

When buying or selling a home, one of the most critical metrics is the square footage. Understanding how to calculate the square footage of a home accurately is essential for determining its value, potential renovation costs, and functionality. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to calculate the square footage of a home and why it’s important.

Why Knowing the Square Footage is Important

Accurate Valuation: Square footage is a key factor in determining a property's market value. Real estate agents and appraisers use it to compare similar homes and establish a fair price.
Renovation and Remodeling: Knowing the exact square footage helps in planning renovations and remodeling projects. It ensures that materials are purchased in the right quantity, saving both time and money.
Legal and Zoning Requirements: Accurate square footage measurements are crucial for adhering to local building codes and zoning laws. This is especially important when adding extensions or making significant modifications to the property.
Marketing and Selling: For sellers, accurate square footage information is vital for listing the property. Potential buyers often search based on square footage to meet their space needs, making it a key selling point.

Steps to Calculate the Square Footage of a Home

1. Gather Your Tools

Before you start measuring, gather the necessary tools:

A tape measure or laser measure
Graph paper or a digital drawing tool
A calculator
A notepad and pen

2. Measure Each Room

Start by measuring each room individually. Follow these steps:

Measure the length and width of each room.
Multiply the length by the width to get the square footage of each room.

Example: If a bedroom is 12 feet by 10 feet, the square footage is 12 x 10 = 120 square feet.

3. Include All Usable Spaces

When calculating the total square footage, include all usable spaces:

Bedrooms
Living rooms
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Hallways
Closets

Note: Generally, unfinished spaces like basements, garages, and attics are not included in the total square footage unless they are finished and meet local building codes for habitable space.

4. Exclude Non-Livable Areas

Exclude areas that are not considered livable space:

Patios
Porches
Decks
Garages (unless finished)

5. Add Up the Measurements

After measuring each room, add up all the individual square footage measurements to get the total square footage of the home.

Example Calculation

Here’s an example to illustrate the calculation:

Living Room: 15 feet x 20 feet = 300 square feet
Kitchen: 10 feet x 15 feet = 150 square feet
Master Bedroom: 12 feet x 14 feet = 168 square feet
Bedroom 2: 10 feet x 12 feet = 120 square feet
Bathroom: 8 feet x 10 feet = 80 square feet
Hallway: 4 feet x 10 feet = 40 square feet

Total Square Footage: 300 + 150 + 168 + 120 + 80 + 40 = 858 square feet

Tips for Accurate Measurement

Measure Twice: Always measure twice to ensure accuracy.
Round to the Nearest Inch: For simplicity, round measurements to the nearest inch.
Use a Laser Measure: A laser measure can provide more accurate results, especially for larger spaces.

Conclusion

Calculating the square footage of a home is a fundamental aspect of real estate that impacts valuation, renovations, legal compliance, and marketability. By following these steps and using accurate measurements, you can ensure you have a precise understanding of your home’s size, helping you make informed decisions whether you're buying, selling, or renovating.

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