Whether you are looking at buying a new house, embark on a renovation project, or even a full new construction build, it’s understandable to want to know how much to expect your costs to be. Planning ahead is paramount to being able to maintain your budget. 

The problem arises when the numbers are never as straightforward as we want them to be. It’s less like the 4th-grade math we were taught and more like whatever kind of long-form chaos they’re teaching our kids these days. We’re sure it’s sensible to someone, at some point, but only at the end when we get to the final number and it all clicks. You know, Cha-ching. 

All that being said, here’s a little break down on how square footage estimations play out currently:

What is square footage?

A square foot is a measurement of area, defined inside of a square that measures one foot on all sides. In other words, area is equal to length measured by width. Simple, right? Here’s where it gets tricky.

In Miami-Dade County, we have three types of square footage you might see: Total Area, Adjusted Area, and Living Area. 

The Total Area is EVERYTHING that is in the total footprint of the house – garages, open patios, covered entries. All of it. 

Adjusted Area is the Living Area (aka air-conditioned space) plus a percentage of the non air-conditioned parts of a home (garages, open patios, et cetera). Adjusted Area is typically the number you see in real estate listings. 

Living Area is the area that is the parts of the home that are air conditioned. 

How do you calculate square footage in Miami?

To get the square footage of a square room, you just time the length by the width. But the Adjusted Area is calculated as follows:

• 100% of the Living Area
• 80% of the second (or third) story
• 66% of a Florida Room
• 50% of the Garage
• 50% of the Utility Room
• 33% of the Carport, Covered Patio, or Porch
• 33% of Roof overhang greater than 3 feet with a concrete walkway (if no concrete walkway, it’s 25%). 

What to Know About Cost Per Square Foot in Renovations      

The rule of thumb is renovations will run $200+ per square foot and new construction is roughly $300+ per square foot. But that is the simple math like calculating square footage by multiplying the length by the width. In reality, it gets far more complicated based on all the details of how you want to use the space and the finishes you want to get as well as what systems (like electrical and plumbing) might need to get upgraded. 

The best way to think about a budget for a potential renovation is to meet with an architect and talk through what you are looking to do. Ultimately every construction or renovation project requires its own attention, care, and process. Comparative models like square feet can keep us from really getting to the root of what that project needs. That’s why it’s important for you to work with Debowsky Design Group, Miami’s premier architectural firm, for your home renovation and update needs. Give us a call today!