It’s critical to be aware of the size of your space available. You’re undoubtedly not concerned about whether the square footage listed in the ad is accurate when you locate the ideal apartment to lease in your preferred area that’s also within your budget. However, when determining the value of a property, that computation is one of the most crucial. Then again, since your rental is calculated upon 1,200 square feet, you should be entitled to what you paid for, correct? Here’s how to calculate a house’s or apartment’s square footage.
Grab several tools for the job.
It’s simple to figure out how much space you have. To begin, you’ll need a few items on hand to assist you in measuring the space:
- A large sheet of paper
- A pencil
- A calculator
- A laser measuring tool or a measuring tape
Develop a layout of the place.
Whether you’re looking to lease a rectangular one-story condo, this is a simple calculation: In feet, measure the width and length, then multiply the two figures. Unfortunately, because most houses aren’t exactly formed, you’ll usually need to go through a few stages to obtain the whole vision. Start by creating a layout of all of the rooms and hallways, labelling each one so you can keep track of the measurements. Request the landlord if you may see the builder drawings for your apartment’s floor plan if you’re looking at a new rental unit because the square footage is typically already estimated.
Each room must be measured.
Calculate the length and breadth of each room, rounding off to the closest half-foot. Electronic laser distance measurement tools are often used by real property dealers. Place it on a wall, directing it straight towards the wall opposite it if you have one. The square footage will subsequently be displayed on the device’s screen. If you don’t have a laser tool, a measuring tape will be enough. Multiply those figures, then note down your measurement on your drawing, rounding off to the closest square foot. The total square footage of a kitchen that is 10 feet by 16 feet, for example, is 160 square feet. If the room contains an alcove, such as a living room with a home office area, measure that area individually and add it to the room’s overall square footage. The same goes for rooms with closets: multiply the length by the breadth.
Certain areas are not really counted, so keep them untouched.
Only completed areas – any lived-in area with walls, a ceiling height of seven feet or more, and a floor — should be counted, according to specific requirements. So, if you can’t walk on or live in a specific area, it’s a non-usable space that isn’t included in the gross living area. Patios, porches, and garages, for example, do not count against the square footage of your rental property. However, if the garage is converted into residential space, it will be included in the total square footage. Pool houses, storage rooms, and guest homes are also prohibited, and so are basements in some countries.
Sum up all of your measurements together.
After you’ve measured each space, sum all of your numbers together to get the overall square footage of the rental unit.
If you are unable to view the apartment, how do you determine square footage?
There are various techniques to figure out a house’s overall square footage if you’re house hunting from another place and can’t physically measure the rooms. You can check for property records in your city or county. Online access to detailed property data, including square footage, is accessible in some localities. If you don’t have access to the internet and are dealing with a real estate agent, he or she can obtain this information for you. You may also hire an appraiser to take measurements for you.
When it comes to renting, knowing the square footage is crucial.
The square footage of an apartment or house is used to determine its worth. While having this information might assist you in determining if a home is worth the rent being paid, keep in mind that estimating square footage is a subjective process.
Some landlords and real estate brokers may adhere to certain standards, while others may not. Some states mandate that square footage is meant to be included in every listing description, while others do not. As a side benefit you must either figure it out yourself or get someone to do it for you.