Measuring Interior Of A Basement

[Bob Mulder]

I measured a house today with a basement. The walls in the basement are about 2 feet thick. So, instead of measuring from the exterior, I measured from the interior and added a half foot for the exterior walls. The owner and real estate agent say that I should be measuring the from the exterior. My comment was that measuring from the exterior would misrepresent the square footage of the basement due to the unusual thickness of the basement walls. What do you think?

 

[Ken-NC]

hmmm... I would include the thickness of the wall, regardless of the thickness. I have encountered one foot and thicker poured concrete foundations before.

I measured from the interior and added a half foot for the exterior walls

Why, if the actual measurement would have been two feet per wall?

 

[Bob Mulder]

When you measure from the interior--because you cannot do it from the exterior--ANSI standards say you add a half-foot for the exterior wall.

 

[Ken-NC]

Second thought:

If a builder constructed the main level with 2x12's would you substract anything from that level because of that? Isn't that a similar line of thought, or should I go to bed? :lol:

 

[Bob Mulder]

Good point.

 

[Ken-NC]

ANSI standards say you add a half-foot for the exterior wall.

Right, and I believe that's due to 2x6 construction (stick built).

 

[Bob Mulder]

Thanks for the input.

 

[Ken-NC]

No problem. I just hope some others jump in and give their input!

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

Things are surely different where you are Bob,
but I rarely give value to a basement. Course around here they're usually unfinished, pretty small, and good for storage if that.
"Typical California Basement. No value given."
So, the exact size matters little in that case. <_<

If it's actual useful space, I'd go with interior measurements.
I wouldn't complain if someone used an extra half foot each wall.
Either way disclose how you did it. B)

Ken, based on your avatar, yes go to bed. :lol:

 

[Ken-NC]

I was trained to measure the exterior of a home, unless it's a condo/townhome. If you can't measure the exterior of a given level, measure from the inside and add for the framing.