Are you planning to sell or buy a house and wonder and ask, does the garage count in the square footage of the house? Then you are in the right place, for in this article, we will look into the garage and its position in house square footage.
As we all know, a garage is simply a place where cars are stored or packed. It is a walled, and roofed part of a house usually meant for the packing of cars.
However, the question is, does the garage count in the square footage of the house?
No, the garage does not count in the square footage of a house because a garage is an unfinished space, and by code, only a living space is considered in the square footage of a house. However, for a garage to count in a house’s square footage, it must be legally converted to a living space.
Table of Contents
Garage
As reiterated earlier, a garage is a space in a house where cars are packed or stored. A garage can be attached to the building, while some can be built separately depending on the house owner’s building plan and choice. But the most important thing is that it is a roofed, walled space specially meant for the storing of cars or vehicles.
A major residential house makes two to three spaces in the garage to cars on a normal ground. This is important as you may have two to three vehicles. You don’t want a situation whereby you have a garage yet running out of space to park your cars.
A garage can have a door that can be locked, which is perfect for the sake of the exotic cars packed inside. You may want to be sure that your vehicles are fully secured in your garage. Some can even turn their garage into their mechanical workshop and many more.
Is Garage Counted in the Square Footage of a House?
The garage is not counted in the square footage of a house except if the garage is legally converted to a living space. A garage is not a living space. It’s an unfinished space, and by code, unfinished spaces are not counted in the square footage of a house. As a matter of fact, only finished living areas are counted in the square footage of a house.
The question you should ask now is, what does the code mean by the term ‘finished space’ and ‘living space’?
Living space, according to the code, means areas that are intended for living, such as;
- Bedrooms
- Living room
- Kitchen
- Bathroom
- Dining room
- Family room
Finished spaces according to code mean areas that are already finished, and by finished they expressed, space must be free to live for 365 days and must possess all of the following;
- The ceiling should be 7 feet or more floor to ceiling height
- Flooring
- Heating
- Wallcovering
- Cooling
However, since the garage is considered an unfinished space, it is not counted in the square footage of a house. However, there is an exception to that. We will look into that in the later stage of this article. But before then, I want to ask, why are you asking the question, does the garage count in the square footage of the house? Is it essential to you?
How to Have a Garage Count as a Living Space for Appraisal
If adding your garage in the square footage of your house is so important to you, you must legally convert the garage to a finished space by ensuring that it has the same quality of construction as other living spaces in the house.
How to Have a Garage Count in the Square Footage of a House
- Make sure the garage has the same quality of construction as other living space in the house
- Make sure the garage has a heating source, whether an exhaust fan, a heat lamp, or underfloor heating
- Make sure the garage has a cooling source such as an air conditioner, etc
- Make sure the garage is accessible by door or hallway
- Make sure the garage can be accessed without leaving the house
What is Included in a Square Footage of a House?
As I said earlier, any space considered a finished living space is included in a house’s square footage. Space must have a wall, floor, ceiling, heating, and cooling source and is accessible by door or hallway without leaving the house.
Does a Converted Garage Count as Square Footage?
Yes, a converted garage counts in the square footage of a house as long as the garage was legally converted to a finished living space possessing all the features that make a space a living space.
Conclusion
A garage is an unfinished space where we park our cars, thus not counted in the square footage of a house. The only way a garage is counted in square footage is if it is legally converted to a finished living space.
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