A Modern Guide for Texas Homeowners

How to Accurately Measure the Square Footage of Your Home

Knowing your home’s true square footage isn’t just a matter of curiosity — it can directly impact your property value, your home insurance, and your ability to sell confidently. Whether you’re planning to sell, refinance, or simply understand your property better, accurate measurement matters.

At Preferred Properties of Texas, we help homeowners across Stephenville and the Cross Timbers area make informed real estate decisions — and understanding square footage is one of the first steps toward a successful transaction.

1. Start With Local Building Records

Before breaking out the tape measure, check your city or county building department’s online records. These public files often list the original square footage, permits, and additions to your property. However, keep in mind that unpermitted remodels or garage conversions may not appear, so it’s still important to verify the data yourself.

2. Understand the ANSI Standards

The ANSI (American National Standards Institute) provides national guidelines for measuring residential square footage, helping maintain consistency across real estate markets.

Here are the basics:

• Below-grade areas (like basements or cellars) are not included in your home’s Gross Living Area (GLA), even if finished.

• Attics count only if they have at least 7 feet of ceiling clearance.

• Stairways and closets are included if they are part of the finished area.

• Porches or sunrooms must be heated and finished using the same system as the main house to count toward square footage.

• Detached buildings — garages, pool houses, or guesthouses — should be measured separately.

3. Modern Tools for Measuring Square Footage

Gone are the days when you needed only a tape measure and graph paper. Technology has made measuring faster and more precise:

✅ Laser Distance Meters – Handheld devices like the Bosch GLM or Leica DISTO instantly calculate distance, area, and volume with accuracy to the tenth of an inch.

✅ Mobile Measuring Apps – Apps like Magicplan, RoomScan Pro, or Measure by Google/Apple let you scan rooms using your phone’s camera and automatically generate a floor plan.

✅ 3D Scanning Tools – For professionals, LiDAR-equipped smartphones and Matterport cameras can capture highly detailed scans that produce full 3D floor models — perfect for appraisals or listings.

4. Step-by-Step: How to Measure Your Home

Step 1: Gather Tools
Use a laser measure (or standard tape), graph paper, a pencil, and, optionally, a digital app to confirm your work.

Step 2: Sketch the Layout
Assign each square on your graph paper to one foot. Outline the rooms of your home, marking where walls, doors, and windows are.

Step 3: Measure Room by Room
Start at one corner and measure length × width for every rectangular section. Odd-shaped rooms can be divided into rectangles or triangles and calculated separately.

Step 4: Add Up the Totals
Add together all qualifying finished spaces. Be sure to exclude non-livable areas (garages, unfinished basements, open patios).

Step 5: Verify & Compare
Compare your total with county records or appraiser data. If there’s a discrepancy, consider getting a professional appraiser to verify your measurements for accuracy.

5. Special Situations

Condominiums & Townhomes
These properties often follow different measurement standards. Check your building plans or HOA documents — developers are required to include square footage for each unit.

New Constructions or Remodels
Builders usually provide official blueprints listing the total living area. Always verify with your local building department that the records reflect current, permitted square footage.

Older Homes
For historic or custom-built homes, irregular layouts may make measurement tricky. In these cases, hiring an appraiser or surveyor is worth the investment.

6. Why Square Footage Matters When Selling

When it’s time to sell, your home’s square footage directly affects its market value and comparables. A properly measured home ensures that your listing price reflects its true worth and prevents disputes during appraisal.

That’s where Preferred Properties of Texas can help.
Our experienced team has been serving the Stephenville and Cross Timbers area for over 30 years, helping homeowners list with confidence, accuracy, and professionalism.

 Ready to Know What Your Home Is Worth?

Let our experts provide a free comparative market analysis and help you determine your home’s market value — square footage and all.

📞 Call us at (254) 965-7775
📧 pptxinfo@preferredpropertiestx.com
🌐 PreferredPropertiesofTexas.com
“The Preferred Way to Buy and Sell Real Estate.”