Stair Area Calculation

[antec57]

I'll ask this question specifically to my state, Louisiana, which may or may not vary state to state. My questions is regarding the calculation of the stairway area in a 2 story home. I've gotten 2 different answers from 2 different appraisers.

One appraisers tells me he adds the stairway area in as per ANSI guidelines, which basically the stair area is counted twice, since it is already included in the first level square footage.

Another appraiser tells me he does not count the stairway because he was always taught it is already added into the first level.

I didn't expect 2 appraisers to differ on something simple of this nature on a basic stairway, since it is written in ANSI.

My instinct tells me you calculate the stairway in per ANSI guidelines and add it to the second floor, although the area is added into the first floor.

Any thoughts would be appreciated for clarification.

 

[David Dietz]

I follow ANSI standards and count the stairs to the second floor. You will get the same here with the difference of opinion. We just went through this a month or so ago.

 

[Thomas Fiehler]

Appraiser #2 is correct since you only count it once. You do no deduct the amount from the second floor. (Of course open foyers are deducted since there is no floor level for the 2nd floor).

 

[Dave Smith]

Essentially the ANSI standards say to count it twice. After all, most of the stairway square footage can be walked on twice. However, not counting the stairs twice makes a very small difference in the total square footage of a house.

In my 2,200 square foot two story house if I only count the stairs once it makes a total of 36 square feet difference (3' by 12'). That computes to 0.0164% of the total. That is too small an amount to make any significant difference on the bottom line.

 

[Wayne Tomlinson]

If you read the ANSI guideline carefully, you will see that the stairway is added to the floor above....period.

If there is a basement, then the stair way to the basement is added to the first level which usually is above the basement.

If there is no basement, as on a crawl or slab, the the actual floor that is there is counted on that level

That way, nothing is couted twice!

Try it

Wayne Tomlinson

 

[David Dietz]

Duplicate post

 

[lizhorvath]

Stairways should be considered to be square footage on the level from whence they descend. Therefore, Stairs from first floor to second are part of second floor sf'ge, stairs from first floor to basement are part of first floor square footage.

That's my Shakespeare lesson for you all today. Enjoy.

 

[Marcia Langley]

I agree that the difference is insignificant. I like the ANSI rule because it is most logical and most simple.

You will always find those who disagree.

When a stair is between two floors, the stair itself goes with the upper floor and the area underlying the stair goes with the lower level.

That's logical in the same way that the floor under any other amenity, such as a fireplace, is included in the floor area and the amenity itself is also counted. I think of the stair as an amenity that adds to the GLA.

Also it's simple because no "extra" measuring has to be done for such a minor element.

 

[Mztk1]

I follow ANSI only because it gives me something factual to reference. For those who do not have it, ANSI says:

Openings to the floor below cannot be included in the square foot calculation. However, the area of both stair treads and landings proceeding to the floor below is included in the finished area of the floor from which the stairs descend, not to exceed the area of the opening in the floor.

And

The be included in the finished square footage caluculations, finished areas must have a ceiling height of at least 7 feet except under beam, ducts, and other ostructions where the neight may be 6 feet 4 inches; under stairs where there is no specified height requirement; or where the ceiling is sloped.

 

[Wayne Tomlinson]

To make it simple, just measure the floor as if there was no hole in it.

Simple.

Wayne Tomlinson