How to calculate square footage?

[heidistokoe]

Hello,

I am working on my house plans and just noticed that my square footage of my house is currently on the setting "Main Layer" in my default settings. Is this accurate industry wide on how square footage is calculated?

 

Thank you,

Heidi

[Chopsaw]

Main Layer is quite common however you need to check with your local regulations to know how it is officially done in your area.  However if you primary do interior design work or real-estate layouts, then most likely surface calculations will be used.

[joey_martin]

On 4/8/2023 at 1:47 PM, Chopsaw said:

Main Layer is quite common however you need to check with your local regulations to know how it is officially done in your area.  However if you primary do interior design work or real-estate layouts, then most likely surface calculations will be used.

That is all very confusing, not to mention time consuming. I am in my 30th year of architecture/building, and I have never come across a different way to calculate square footage of home than the outside of the main framing layer. My advise is would be to tell whomever, "that's how I do it, if you are looking for something else, here is a pen and calculator."

 

[Richard_Morrison]

There is no "Industry wide" standard until you define which industry you are talking about. The planning department may want square footages calculated by the exterior surfaces or foundation footprint (and some count different features differently, like stairs, covered porches, or tall spaces), compliance with the building code may require square footages based on interior surfaces, your real estate agent may want square footages calculated another way, and there is also a BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) standard for commercial buildings. There is no "one" right way.

 

[CharlesVolz]

This is what I use. Numero Uno for residential.

ANSI Z765-2021 - SQUARE FOOTAGE.pdf

[JKEdmo]

11 hours ago, CharlesVolz said:

This is what I use.

Thanks for posting.  Great reference!

 

Jim

 

[VisualDandD]

On 5/8/2024 at 1:57 AM, CharlesVolz said:

This is what I use. Numero Uno for residential.

ANSI Z765-2021 - SQUARE FOOTAGE.pdf 1.91 MB · 20 downloads

Maybe for appraisal standards.  But NOT for construction standards.   I have been involved in building before I started designing.  Almost 30 years now.  The accepted construction standard in residential homes has always been outside of framed stud (where dimensions go to on plans,  and stairs only on one level.  Using the ANSI standards often yield a higher sqft anywhere from 100-200 sqft and even more on full brick homes.  Stair config can have a large impact upon this.

 

By using a non-industry standard, you are costing your clients and builders more money and making their homes more expensive to build.  This is because a significant portion of the subcontractor base bills by sqft under roof.   

 

About 10 years ago, I started producing 2 sets of plans for each home.  There is a "bank" set, with specific notation of sqft being calculated to ANSI standard (with a big watermark NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION on it).   And then there is a "FIELD" set calculated to normal industry standards.

 

 

 

[Saunagent]

Calculating square footage is pretty straightforward, and it's something anyone can do with just a few simple steps. First, you need to measure the length and width of the area you want to calculate. Make sure you measure in feet. For example, if you're measuring a room that's 12 feet long and 10 feet wide, you'd just multiply those numbers together. So, 12 feet x 10 feet equals 120 square feet. Now, if you're thinking about selling your place and want to get the measurements right to give potential buyers accurate info, you might want to check out services like sell flat fast service. They can help with all the details and make sure everything is correct, which can be helpful if you're in a hurry or just want to make sure everything is done right.

[para-CAD]

[Gawdzira]

@para-CAD Holy Skynet Batman. The robot is not going to snitch on the robot. Who taught it that?