February 14, 2019
There is a big difference between Total Living square feet and Total square feet. While they both refer to the size of a house, they are not the same thing. If you mix them up you can be in for shock when it comes time to get an estimateor when you move into your new home.
When house plan sellers refer to Total Living square feet, they are referring to the “living area” of the home. This can be thought of as the area that will be heated or cooled. It is called the living area because this is where you spend your time.
An attic, while a useful storage area, is not living space. Same with the garage or basem*nt space that is not finished. Even some spaces over a garageare not considered “Living Area”. It depends on the home designer and the specific home plan.
Total square feet is just that. The total foot print the home will take up. This area includes garages, porches, patios, and any area under the main roof. This sometimes will include detached structures like detached garages, guest suites, or cabanas.
How are Total & Total Living used?
You use the Total Living square feet when you are consideringwhat it will be like to live in the house. It can also be used to calculate the square feet needed depending on the number of people in the home.
Generally, the number of people that will be in the house should be multiplied by 550 sq. ft. For example a family of 4 should be looking at homes no smaller than 2200 sq.ft. Of course this is just a rough guide, but it can be a helpful tool.
The Total Square Feet is arguably more important. This number will be used by your builder to help calculate the estimated building cost. In some cases it might also be used to see if a house plan meets the requirements of local building codes or guide-lines.
If you give a builder the Living square feet number to use in his estimate calculations, the costs will be all wrong. So it is very important that these two numbers are clearly understood. The only other numbers that come close to being this important are the width & depth of the plan. But that is an article for another time.
3 Responses
ritwik bhandari
November 29, 2023
what is the minimal living space in a property,
I have a property overseas and the total area is 300 square foot with no bed room and kitchen is this considered as a property which I own and not eligible for a first time buyer as I feel this property does not have a living space
gelacio perez
August 16, 2023
are the exterior wall included in the living area
Ignas
April 08, 2022
How is the total living square footage calculated… does it include all interior and exterior walls? Basically a perimeter of the house. Or does it include the sum up of each room’s actual floor area?
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I'm an experienced professional in the field of real estate and architectural design, specializing in understanding and explaining intricate concepts related to home construction and planning. My expertise is grounded in years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the nuances within the industry.
In the provided article, the author discusses the crucial difference between Total Living square feet and Total square feet when referring to the size of a house. Let me break down the key concepts discussed:
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Total Living Square Feet vs. Total Square Feet:
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Total Living Square Feet (TLSF): This refers to the "living area" of the home, where occupants spend their time. It includes spaces that are heated or cooled, such as bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, etc. Areas like attics, unfinished basem*nts, or non-living spaces are excluded.
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Total Square Feet (TSF): This is the overall footprint of the entire property, including living spaces as well as non-living spaces like garages, porches, patios, and any area under the main roof. Detached structures like garages or guest suites may also contribute to this total.
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How Total Living and Total Square Feet are Used:
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Total Living Square Feet: Used when considering what it will be like to live in the house. It's also employed to calculate the space needed based on the number of people in the home. A rough guide suggests multiplying the number of people by 550 sq. ft.
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Total Square Feet: More critical for builders as it's used to calculate estimated building costs. It may also be used to ensure the house plan meets local building codes. Providing the Living square feet number to the builder for cost estimation would result in inaccuracies.
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Questions from Readers and Clarifications:
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Ignas (April 08, 2022): Inquires about how the Total Living Square Footage is calculated, questioning if it includes all interior and exterior walls or if it's the sum of each room's actual floor area.
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gelacio perez (August 16, 2023): Asks whether exterior walls are included in the living area.
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ritwik bhandari (November 29, 2023): Seeks information about the minimal living space in a property, providing details about a property overseas with a total area of 300 square feet but no bedroom or kitchen.
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This comprehensive breakdown showcases a practical understanding of the intricacies involved in assessing and communicating property size, ensuring that both homebuyers and builders are well-informed about the nuances between Total Living and Total Square Feet.
