
Should I add a patio to my Home’s square footage?
Realistically, a potential client will view the house and see a nice, enclosed patio, instead of noting the 400 additional square feet. On the other hand, if the enclosed patio offers heating and is beautifully designed to seamlessly integrate with the rest of the house, then by all means, add it as part of the entire home’s square footage.
Does a patio count as a part of the House?
In most cases however, it’s the quality of the patio that is called into question. Usually, enclosed patios feel like a very separate part of the house, normally don’t have a heat source (which is required for spaces to be counted in the overall square footage), and will likely have been built with lower quality than the rest of the property.
Does a screened porch add square footage to a home?
A porch is a great way to add livable square footage to your home. Though screened porches are typically not included in the appraised square footage of your home, they do add value. A screened porch can be a very worthy investment for your Dallas-area home.
How much does it cost to build a covered patio?
A covered patio can be either attached to a home or free standing. The average cost of constructing a covered patio attached to a home is between $500 and $25,000. A freestanding covered patio can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $25,000. (HomeAdvisor, 2021)

Is a covered porch included in square footage?
Covered porches and sunrooms Open-air, covered porches never add to your home's square footage, even if they are elevated to the same level as the rest of the house by the foundation. Screened-in porches do not qualify as living space either. Four-season sunrooms count towards the total square footage.
Does a closed in porch count as square footage?
This common question has two answers. If you're wondering whether you can count a screened porch in your home's total square footage for a real estate listing, the answer is no, you cannot. To qualify, a home addition needs to be insulated, heated and cooled like the interior rooms of your home.
Is an enclosed porch considered living space?
Appraisers define the porch as finished or unfinished. A finished enclosed porch can be counted or included in the main living area of the house. An unfinished enclosed porch is not considered in the main living area of dwelling.
Is a patio square footage?
Measure the length and width of your patio in feet. Multiply the width by the length to find the square footage (E.g., width x length = patio sq ft.). Assuming the width is 12 ft., and the length is 10 ft., 12 x 10 = 120, and your patio size is 120 sq ft.
Does a covered patio increase home value?
The answer is yes! Adding a covered patio definitely adds value to your home. However, as with any upgrade, it's important to remember that the most high-end, extravagant upgrades probably won't increase the value significantly more than middle-range upgrades.
How much value does a covered porch add to your home?
Adding a porch enclosure can allow your home's value to increase by 4-6% and could help your home standout among other listings to potential buyers.
Is a 3 season porch included in square footage?
They can shield you from outdoor elements such as rain, wind, sun and insects, but 3-season porches are not heated. Therefore, it is not a part of finished square footage, but is considered an enclosed space.
What counts in 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).
Does a sunroom add square footage?
Sunrooms usually don't get included in a home's square footage total, which appraisers use to help determine home values. But a full-room addition will add square footage to your home and has a higher return on investment.
How many square feet is a 20x20 patio?
Therefore 20 ft multiplying by 20 ft equal to 400 square feet. In equation, 20ft x 20ft = 400 ft2.
Is a 3 season porch included in square footage?
They can shield you from outdoor elements such as rain, wind, sun and insects, but 3-season porches are not heated. Therefore, it is not a part of finished square footage, but is considered an enclosed space.
Does enclosing a porch add value?
If there is an existing porch or covered patio space, consider enclosing it with either a screen room or sunroom, which can increase your home's value and help protect guests from insects.
Does a sunroom add square footage?
Sunrooms usually don't get included in a home's square footage total, which appraisers use to help determine home values. But a full-room addition will add square footage to your home and has a higher return on investment.
What is considered an enclosed patio?
An enclosed patio is an extension of a house that usually consists of some type of patio area closed off in some way from outdoor elements. It is often used for lounging, dining, and entertaining. There are many different types of enclosed patios, ranging from screened-in porches to sunrooms and solariums.
Do enclosed patios have heat?
Usually, enclosed patios feel like a very separate part of the house, normally don’t have a heat source (which is required for spaces to be counted in the overall square footage), and will likely have been built with lower quality than the rest of the property.
Is an enclosed patio included in square footage?
Answer: Typically, enclosed patio spaces are not included in the square footage of houses, save for cases where the patio actually looks like a part of the home as opposed to an extension of the property. In most cases however, it’s the quality of the patio that is called into question. Usually, enclosed patios feel like a very separate part ...
Can an enclosed patio be considered a living space?
Based on experience however, this just isn’t the case. For the most part, enclosed patios are nothing more than, well, enclosed patios, which can hardly be considered as living spaces. In this case, they will not really add much to the appraised value. They will however, come as a pleasant surprise for anyone viewing the property.
What is an enclosed patio?
Enclosed patios that are heated and (if the rest of the house is) air-conditioned and are similar in workmanship (quality) as the rest of the home. If it still looks like a patio with walls, an independent appraiser will need to make the call as to whether or not to include this space.
What is detached living space?
Detached living space such as an office in a extra building on the property – these spaces are measured separately. Spaces that are accessed only by traversing non-living space, like an enclosed storage area of a garage.
Is a common space considered a living space?
Some common spaces are not considered to be living space and are therefore not included when calculating the square footage of a house:
Does the roof count as living space?
Not all of the space under your roof counts as living space from an appraiser’s perspective. Some spaces don’t count towards the measured square footage of a home.
Does a finished basement add value?
Some spaces, such as a finished basement, may (or may not) add value, but at a lesser rate than other finished (above-grade) spaces. This is determined on a case-by-case basis, based on the quality of the space and how the market has recently responded to similar homes.
Is an attic conditioned space?
Finished attic space as long as it also conforms to the original structure (can’t just add carpet and call it a bedroom) and the ceilings are high enough, and the space is conditioned space because at this point it isn’t actually an attic anymore.
Do screened porches increase resale value?
A screened porch that is built to the standards of other homes in your neighborhood or within your community will add maximum resale value if you do indeed sell your home. Adding a screened porch that far exceeds others in your neighborhood will not give you as great a return.
Is a screened porch worth it?
A porch is a great way to add livable square footage to your home. Though screened porches are typically not included in the appraised square footage of your home, they do add value. A screened porch can be a very worthy investment for your Dallas-area home.
Can a screened porch add value to a home?
The correct answer to this question is yes, a screened porch will add value to your home — but in more ways than you may imagine….
What is a patio in a home?
According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors, a patio is listed as one of the top 10 features homebuyers look for. That means people will pay a premium for a home with a well-built and well-maintained patio. After all, a nicely constructed patio can transform your yard from a boring bland space into a beautiful paradise.
What to put on a patio to make it worth it?
Adding things like a built-in fire pit, fireplace, raised garden bed or a cozy seating area will add value to your patio. Higher-grade materials may also be a good idea, as they tend to extend the life of the patio and reduce regular maintenance needs.
What is the biggest mistake homeowners make?
The largest mistake that homeowners make is installing a patio that is too grand or too bland for their home. The patio needs to fall in line with the value and style of your home, as well as the neighborhood. If you have a $200,000 home and you add a super fancy $50,000 patio, complete with wood burning pizza ovens, you are going to out price your home, the neighborhood and the market. In other words, there’s no way you’ll recoup your investment.
Why are patios considered attractive?
Patios are viewed as an appealing feature because they offer an additional living and entertaining space without the need for heating, cooling or costly maintenance throughout the year.
How far should a patio be from the kitchen?
This makes it easy to walk in and out of the house and out to the patio. The door leading out to the patio should ideally be located between 15 and 30 steps from the kitchen area. This makes bringing food in and out of the house easier for entertaining purposes.
Can you add a $50,000 patio to a $2.1 million home?
On the other hand, if you live in a $2.1 million home and you add a $50,000 patio, there’s a greater chance you’ll recoup a larger percentage of your investment. An out-of-proportion project may make your home more appealing but that doesn’t mean it will pay off financially.
