how do you add square footage to your house

20 Home Additions to Increase Your Home’s Square Footage

1. Bump-Out Your Kitchen During a Remodel. On the list of projects that yield the highest resale value, kitchen remodels will generally always reign among the top.
2. Add to Your Garage. In keeping with projects that provide a high return, let’s turn to the garage. ...
3. Build a Roof Dormer. ...
4. Splurge on a Sunroom. ...
5. Add an Extra Bedroom. ...
6. Add a Second Story. ...

More items...

Full Answer

What is the easiest way to add square footage to my home?

Calculate the area of each section. Multiply the rectangle's length by its width to get the area in square feet. Write this number down in the corresponding space on your sketch. Add up the total area. Sum up the square feet of each rectangle to measure the total square footage of the house .

How do you calculate the square feet of a house?

] To calculate the square feet of a house, you will need a few supplies: a notepad, calculator, and measuring tape. The simplest example is to imagine your house as a perfect rectangle and multiply the length times the width. If your house is 50 by 30 feet, the square footage would be 1500.

How do you determine the square footage of a house?

• Paper and pencil
• Calculator
• Measuring tape and/or laser measuring tool

How do you figure square footage on a house?

Square footage generally refers to the parts of a house that have finished flooring, walls, ceilings and the ability to live in year-round. The inclusion of some areas into your total can only be considered on a case-by-case basis, such as finished basements*. Before you take out your measuring tape, keep this in mind:

How can I add cheap square footage to my house?

20 Home Additions to Increase Your Home's Square FootageBump-Out Your Kitchen During a Remodel. Kitchen bump-out addition. ... Add to Your Garage. Garage addition. ... Build a Roof Dormer. ... Splurge on a Sunroom. ... Add an Extra Bedroom. ... Add a Second Story. ... In-Law or Apartment Suite. ... Add a Bonus Room.More items...•

Is adding square footage worth it?

According to a study for the National Association of Realtors, every 1,000 of square feet added to a home increases its sale price by at least 30%!

How much does it cost to add sq ft to a house?

The average room or house addition costs $86 to $208 per square foot, with most homeowners spending between $22,500 and $74,000. Adding a 20x20 family room costs $48,000 on average, while adding a 12x12 bedroom costs about $17,300.

How can I increase the size of my house?

Running Out of Room? How to Increase the Size of Your HouseHome Extensions. The most obvious way to increase the size of your home is to extend your home by adding a new room. ... Add Another Level. ... Add a Deck / Outdoor Room. ... Use the Basement. ... Granny Flat.

How much does it cost to add 1000 square feet to a house?

Home addition costs by square footageSquare feet addedTypical cost500$40,000-$100,000600$48,000-$120,000800$64,000-$160,0001,000$80,000-$200,0006 more rows•Jan 9, 2020

What adds the most value to a house?

Ten of the best ways to add value to your homeConvert your cellar. ... Split a house into flats. ... Convert your garage to living space. ... Extend the kitchen with a side-return extension. ... Loft conversion to add a bedroom. ... Increase living space with a conservatory. ... Apply for planning permission. ... Kerb and garden appeal.More items...•

How do you add on to a small house?

Consider a Bump-Out Addition Some bump-out ideas for small rooms include creating a window nook in a living room, building a walk-in closet, adding a space for a bathtub in a bathroom, or increasing the space of a kitchen to allow for counter space.

Does a deck add square footage to a home?

It's One of the Smartest Ways to Add Square Footage (and Value) to Your Home. It can also be one of the most dangerous additions. Building a deck expands outdoor living space, but before adding or upgrading, find out what these seasoned builders recommend to help make decks safer and more durable.

Is it cheaper to build a one-story or two?

Per square foot, a one-story house is more costly to build than a two-story home. There is a larger footprint, meaning more foundation building and more roofing materials. And because the plumbing and heating/AC systems need to extend the length of the house, you'll need bigger (and costlier) systems. Less privacy.

How to Calculate Square Feet

You probably know how to calculate the square footage of a simple room without any funny shapes. Just break out your measuring tape—or a laser meas...

How to Calculate The Square Footage of An Entire Home

While measuring a single room is no big deal, people get kind of intimidated when it comes to calculating the square footage of an entire home. Whi...

Take The Square Foot Calculation With A Grain of Salt

Now that you know how to calculate the square footage of a home, it's time to bust your bubble with a big caveat: A square footage calculation is s...

How much does it cost to add a second story to a house?

Depending on the size of your home, this addition can run anywhere between $60,000-$600,000 and adds significant square footage and resale value to your home. Work with a builder or architect to make sure your home’s structure and foundation can handle ...

What are room additions?

Whether you have a large or small home, room and house additions are invaluable investments. Along with expanding your available storage and living space, adding rooms with features that are desirable to home buyers can increase the value of your home. But before you start adding an addition to your home, here are a few things to keep in mind:

What to put in mudroom for a remodel?

Installing wall hooks, built-in cabinets, lockers, or cubbies during the remodel adds both additional storage and visual appeal.

How much does it cost to build a bonus room over a garage?

Once it’s finished, you can rent it out or use it as a guest bedroom. Keep in mind that certain additions like a new roof, Type X fireproof drywall, and vapor barriers will be more expensive than other home addition projects. Costs typically average around $35 per square foot when building a bonus over-the-garage room.

How much does it cost to finish a basement?

The average cost to finish a basement is between $2,800 to $34,000 with a return on investment around 70%. Just be sure you include emergency windows ...

What are some bump out ideas for small rooms?

Some bump-out ideas for small rooms include creating a window nook in a living room, building a walk-in closet, adding a space for a bathtub in a bathroom, or increasing the space of a kitchen to allow for counter space.

What to do as a buyer

First off, start by referring to your city’s building department records. Many city and county records are now available online, which makes getting this info much easier than it used to be. Some updates – like unpermitted remodeling – may not be reflected in the records, but it will still provide a good baseline.

Check it yourself

As a buyer, it can be helpful to know how to calculate square footage of a house yourself; just multiply the length and width of all applicable rooms in the home. All you’ll need to get started is a 100 sq ft tape measure, some graph paper, and a pencil.

How much return on investment for adding a bedroom?

If you’re in the market to sell your home, expect about a 50 percent return on investment.

How to boost kitchen footage?

One of the least invasive ways to boost a kitchen’s footage during a remodel is through a bump-out. A bump-out entails pushing out a kitchen by a few feet—2 feet maximum if the bump-out is cantilevered (unsupported by posts).

What is mudroom addition?

Mudroom additions create a functional space to enter your home. When paired with a laundry room, they are even more beneficial and can improve aesthetics and organization in your home.

Why do we need a second story addition?

A second-story addition is beneficial for families looking to expand their livable space. A lot of factors go into planning for and building a second story, so it’s best to consult a professional who can walk you through each step of this large-scale renovation.

How much does it cost to build a carport?

The average cost per square foot to add a carport onto your home is between $5 to $15. In total, you can expect to spend anywhere between $5,000 and $25,000 including cost for materials and labor—you can of course save money if you are able to DIY the labor portion.

Why do you need an outdoor patio addition?

Outdoor additions are a great way to increase the value of your home while enjoying some fresh air . Depending on your location, you might want to consider spending more money for an enclosed patio addition, that way you can avoid unfavorable weather or annoying bugs.

Is an addition a good investment?

Home additions are a worthy investment and an excellent way to increase space for you and your family without having to move. They also provide a higher cost-value ratio compared to other renovation projects—however, this can vary depending on the addition and current market.

How much does it cost to add a second story to a house?

Pricing can range from $80 a square foot to $200 per square foot.

What to do with an unfinished basement?

If you have an unfinished basement, renovating this part of the house is an easy way to add some more living space. Depending on your lifestyle, your family’s needs and the square footage available, you can turn the part of your home sitting below ground into a: 1 Play room 2 Rec room 3 Bedroom 4 Bathroom 5 Home office 6 Laundry room

Can you divide a basement into sections?

A large basement space can be divided into sections or rooms for different functions. You could also consider adding a kitchen or a wet bar if you have enough space. Keep in mind that if your plans require running plumbing lines, such as with a kitchen or a bathroom (either a full- or half-bath), your renovation costs will be higher than ...

Can you renovate an unfinished basement?

If you have an unfinished basement, renovating this part of the house is an easy way to add some more living space. Depending on your lifestyle, your family’s needs and the square footage available, you can turn the part of your home sitting below ground into a: Play room. Rec room. Bedroom.

What to do with a small kitchen?

A minor kitchen remodel ranks toward the top of projects that recoup the associated cost. Consider adding a pantry as well to free up some space.

What is a room above a garage?

A room above a garage might prove the perfect tonic for a house with a small lot and a need for additional rooms. Be sure to check your local building codes and zoning ordinances before starting a project. You’ll save on some of the construction because there will be a foundation already in place with the garage.

How high should an attic be?

At least one half of the finished floor area must have a ceiling height of at least 7 feet. Get some ideas for a finished attic after looking at attics you’ll adore.

Can you put up walls and roofs?

Putting up wall s and a roof, along with a foundation but it could potentially become additional square footage if done correctly. It needs to feel like a part of the home and be accessible through the house.

Does a porch add square footage?

Just like with an enclosing a patio, enclosing a porch can potentially add square footage to your home. It has to have heating, feel like a part of the house and be accessible through the house.

What to do if square footage is wrong?

If you believe that the public records are inaccurate, you should contact your local assessment department to request that the data be reviewed. The process varies by location; some may ask you to file an appeal or submit a grievance.

Why is square footage important?

Why the Correct Square Footage Matters. If you’re selling your home, the square footage is one of the most important specifications buyers look for. A difference of even a few hundred square feet can lead to potential buyers overlooking your property if they are searching for a home with a minimum amount of square footage.

How to look up my home's property card?

You should start by requesting to see your home’s property card from your county’s department of assessment. Many cities and counties allow you to look it up online. Make sure that any recent (permitted) additions are included in the records.

Can you find square footage on real estate websites?

Since many real estate websites pull information about homes from public records, it can also result in incorrect square footage on online listings. In addition, your local governing agency will look at the square footage of your house when assessing its value, which has an effect on how much property tax you will pay.

Is square footage important for appraisal?

The square footage of your home is an important specification for valuation purposes, but sometimes the appraiser’s calculation of your property’s square footage differs from the square footage used in your tax assessment. Here’s what to do in that situation.

Does Redfin update square footage?

Once the public records are updated, Redfin.com will automatically update the square footage on the listing of your home. Keep in mind that square footage can affect your home’s assessed value, which has an affect on how much property tax you pay.

Does a higher square footage increase the value of a home?

If the actual measurements taken by a home appraiser result in a higher square footage than the tax assessment office has on record, using the higher square footage calculation could increase the value of your home. That’s great if you want to sell, but it may also increase your property taxes.