When calculating the square footage of a home, Do stairways or staircases count in the square footage?

Answer 1

Yes, they do.
The stairway from the first floor to the second is basically counted twice, once for each floor; the way to conceptualize this is to think of the stairs as part of the second floor and think of the space below the stairs as storage for the first floor—the important criterion is that both spaces can be used (ignore the fact that there is not much useable space at the back of the understair area).

Lots of info on calculating square footage at this link:
http://www.propex.com/C_SC_calcsf2.htm

Answer 2

Greetings!

There are two methods used. 1) the outside perimeter is total square footage. That determines the value in cost, for example 100 dollars a square foot.
Then there is 2) heated square footage, which only calculates that area of the interior which is supplied with heat. This is used to calculate insurance rates, and taxes.

Good Luck

Answer 3

When calculating the square footage of a house, the measurements are made from the EXTERIOR walls, not the interior ones. The actual walls inside a house take up space, too.

"Living area" might be a description of the exposed floor space. This would not include the space taken up by walls, etc., but would include the stairways/staircases/stairwells and closets.

I hope this helps you.

Jack Nicholson
Richardson, Texas

Answer 4

Actually, different people measure sq.ft. different ways. An appraiser will measure the livable space. Some exclude the thickness of exterior walls. For insurance and taxes, I don't know for sure, but I've seen them measure houses, they measure from the outside of the brick. I'd bet they come up with the biggest numbers, more sq.ft, more money. For permits, the foot print of the building needs to add up. The total footprint of building needs to add up between livable space, garage, porches, etc. If the question is for permitting process, I'd measure the stairs as part of the livable first floor, but exclude it as part of the livable second floor. The reason is the foot print needs to add up. But there is no reason to include in the second floor. If for appraisal, I don't know.

BTW, a builder will use the numbers for the permits for price per square foot when selling, makes it look like more of a value, but use the appraisal square footage for dealing with subs, smaller house less they pay they subs. The permit numbers are typically higher than the appraisal numbers.

I know I sound cynical, but everyone wants the numbers to come out their way.

So my answer is depends on who wants to know the sq.ft.

Answer 5

How To Count Square Feet

Answer 6

yes it all counts exept the garage and you measure from outside you know lenght x with x2 if its two story

Answer 7

suggest to contact a carpet place,they usually do this for free

Answer 8

no....its width x length....no height is involved...