Measuring Up: A Waterloo Region Homebuyer's & Seller's Guide to Square Footage

It might not matter if the reported footprint is correct when purchasing a Waterloo Region home you fall in love with. After all, a sprawling property that's stuck in the past, showing its age with poor maintenance, or suffering from a dysfunctional layout won't command top dollar in our vibrant Waterloo Region market.

However, understanding a home's square footage can be a valuable tool in your real estate journey, helping you gauge whether the asking price aligns with the property's size and ultimately, its potential value.

Now, here's a little Canadian real estate secret that might raise an eyebrow: there's no nationwide standard for measuring residential property. That's right! Depending on the type of home you're eyeing, its location within Canada, and even who you're buying from, pinning down the precise square footage can feel a tad like navigating a maple syrup maze.

Given that calculating square footage is, at its heart, a mathematical exercise, this lack of uniformity might seem a bit… well, eh? Isn't it a simple calculation with a definitive answer?

Unfortunately, the absence of clear-cut rules about how and what to measure has led to noticeable discrepancies. Even seasoned real estate professionals can find these variations make the process of searching for and comparing residential properties across Canada a surprisingly complex and occasionally frustrating affair.

Why Does Measuring Square Footage Matter to Waterloo Region Homebuyers?

For many prospective homeowners in Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge, the total square footage acts as a crucial benchmark in their decision-making process. It's a tangible number they can use to compare different properties and assess whether a home offers the space their family needs and desires.

Consider the condo market, for instance. Savvy buyers frequently use the cost per square foot to draw comparisons between different units within the same building or complex. While this metric doesn't paint the entire picture of a property's value – factors like layout, finishes, and amenities also play significant roles – it does provide a useful "apples to apples" comparison.

Seller A might be asking $\$$X per square foot, while Seller B's unit comes in at $\$$Y. This initial comparison can help buyers narrow down their options and focus on properties that align with their budget and space requirements.

The challenge, as we've touched upon, lies in the fact that without national standards, the guidelines for measuring square footage across Canada are a patchwork quilt. Some real estate boards operate with minimal direction, others cling to outdated methods, while only a few have implemented stricter, more consistent regulations.

Despite these inconsistencies, both buyers and sellers in the Waterloo Region, along with their dedicated real estate agents, should strive for the greatest possible accuracy when determining a home's Gross Living Area (GLA) or total living space. This figure can indeed influence a home's perceived and actual market value.

So, What's the Best Way to Measure the Square Footage of a Waterloo Region Home?

The good news is that the fundamental calculation for basic square footage is quite straightforward.

For a standard rectangular or square room, simply multiply its length by its width:

Square Footage=Length×Width

For example, a room that measures 12 feet in length and 18 feet in width has a square footage of 216 square feet (12×18=216).

Now, what happens when a room isn't a perfect square or rectangle? You'll need to break it down into simpler, box-like sections.

Imagine an L-shaped dining room. To calculate its total square footage, you would divide the space into two distinct rectangles. Measure the length and width of each rectangle separately, calculate their individual square footage, and then add the two figures together to arrive at the total square footage of the L-shaped room.

Things can get a little more interesting when a portion of a room is… well, missing, like a nook with a bay window or an angled wall leading to a balcony with stunning Waterloo views. In such cases, you'll still want to divide the room into rectangular sections. If you encounter a triangular area (like that bay window nook), you'll calculate its area using the following formula:

Area of a Triangle=21​×Base×Height

Once you've calculated the square footage of all the rectangular and triangular sections within the room, simply add them together to get the total square footage.

Here's a quick recap of basic area calculations:

• Square or Rectangular Rooms: GLA=Length×Width

• Circular Rooms: GLA=π×(2Diameter​)2

• Triangular Sections: GLA=21​×Base×Height

To determine the total Gross Living Area (GLA) of an entire home, you'll need to calculate the square footage of every livable room and then sum those figures together.

What Should Be Included When Measuring a Home's Square Footage Before a Sale in Waterloo Region?

It's crucial to understand that the reported gross living area of a home shouldn't encompass all the space under its roof. Only the actual living spaces – the rooms where you live, work, and relax – should be included in the square footage calculation.

For instance, in most Canadian communities, including our own Waterloo Region, the square footage of an attached garage is typically excluded from the reported total square footage of the home. However, finished attic space that is suitable for habitation and boasts a ceiling height of at least seven feet is generally included.

Similarly, basement or below-grade living space, whether finished or unfinished, is another common exclusion from the GLA.

Generally speaking, rooms in your Waterloo Region home can be included in the square footage calculations if they feature:

• A ceiling height of seven feet or higher

• Walls finished with drywall or a similar covering

• Installed flooring

• A heating and cooling system (if applicable)

  
  

Therefore, the rooms typically included in a home's square footage, provided they are finished and meet the criteria above, are:

• Living room

• Family room

• Kitchen

• Dining room

• Bathrooms

• Bedrooms

• Enclosed porches with heating and cooling (if applicable)

  
  

Conversely, unfinished and below-grade areas are typically excluded from the home's square footage. These commonly include:

• Garages (attached or detached)

• Unfinished attics

• Rooms with significantly sloping ceilings that don't meet the minimum height requirement

• Basements (whether finished or unfinished)

• Separate storage areas, such as sheds

• Pool houses

• Guesthouses

• Detached in-law suites, coach houses, or lane-houses

  
  

It's important to remember that these exclusions shouldn't be seen as a negative or a reduction in your home's overall value. The key is to accurately measure, document, and market all finished, livable space. Just ensure that any official documentation accurately reflects only the above-grade, habitable living areas.

How to Calculate Square Footage More Accurately for Your Waterloo Region Home

While the basic measurement methods we've discussed are a good starting point, they might not provide the level of accuracy needed when determining a property's value for buying or selling in the competitive Waterloo Region market. So, what's the next step? Here are some recommendations from your Team Pinto experts:

1. Hire a Professional Measurement Service:

If precise square footage is a critical factor in your buying or selling decision, enlisting the services of professional measurement specialists is a wise investment. These professionals possess the expertise and tools to provide accurate room-by-room measurements and can often deliver valuable supplementary materials like detailed floor plans in a timely manner.

While you might be tempted to take your own measurements during a showing, it's best to arrange a dedicated appointment for the professionals. This allows them the necessary time and space to properly utilize their laser measuring devices and other specialized equipment.

2. Embrace Technology:

The most effective way to minimize inconsistencies and achieve accurate measurements is to leverage modern technology.

Fortunately, the real estate industry has readily adopted many of these advancements. Virtual tours that include interactive floor plans, 3D walkthroughs with integrated measurement tools, and laser-guided square footage reports are becoming increasingly standard in residential property listings.

However, with so many tools available, it's best to consult with your real estate agent, who can guide you toward the most reliable and accurate options.

A Note on Square Footage Measurements in Ontario:

It's important for buyers and sellers in Ontario, including our Waterloo Region, to be aware of a particular nuance in how property sizes are often reported. Instead of providing precise square footage figures, Ontario real estate jurisdictions frequently categorize residential homes into broad square footage ranges. Critically, the accuracy of the selected range isn't typically verified. This means that the ranges can be quite wide, offering only a general idea of a property's size.

While there's a growing movement among some Ontario realtors and municipalities to establish more precise square footage guidelines, it's crucial to approach any property dimensions provided in a listing with a degree of caution. Unless the listing agent can furnish you with formal, professional measurements, or you commission your own, it's best to consider any stated square footage as potentially approximate.

Getting ready to navigate the exciting Waterloo Region real estate market, whether you're looking to buy your dream home or sell your current property? Let the award-winning Team Pinto put our extensive experience and local expertise to work for you. Contact us today to discuss your unique real estate needs or book a free consultation at your convenience. We're here to help you every step of the way!