Understanding how to calculate the square footage of your home is essential for various reasons. It can aid in determining your property’s value, preparing your home for sale, or even planning renovations. When dealing with a two-story house, the process may appear slightly more complex but still follows similar principles.

This article will walk you through how to determine the square footage of a two-story house accurately.

Step 1: Measure Each Floor Separately

Start by measuring the length and width of each room on each floor. Remember to include every room, including closets, bathrooms, and hallways. Use a tape measure or laser measurer for precise measurements. It is crucial to record all these measurements in feet as you will need them later for calculations.

Step 2: Identify Spaces to Exclude

Before proceeding with the calculations, you must identify any areas that should be excluded. Generally, it is advisable not to count spaces with low ceilings (below seven feet), such as crawlspaces or attics. Additionally, unfinished basements or garages are often left out of the total square footage calculation.

Step 3: Calculate Each Room’s Square Footage

Multiply the length by the width of each area (in feet) to determine its square footage. For example, if a room measures 10 feet in length and 12 feet in width, its square footage would be 120 square feet.

Step 4: Sum Up the Square Footage by Story

Add up the total square footage of all individual rooms on each floor. This will give you separate square footage subtotals for both floors.

Step 5: Combine Both Floors’ Square Footage Totals

Finally, add together both floors’ square footage subtotals to obtain the overall square footage for your two-story house.

Example:

First Floor Total = 1000 sq ft.

Second Floor Total = 1200 sq ft.

Total Square Footage = 1000 + 1200 = 2200 sq ft.

Now you know how to calculate the square footage of a two-story house. This simple approach not only allows potential buyers to gauge the space available, but it also gives homeowners vital information for planning renovations or understanding their home’s value.