Is wasted space classified as part of the square footage of the house?

Answer 1

The square footage of a home is determined by adding the square foot measurements of all the rooms including closets, if by wasted space you mean inside the walls then no, and not the garage either unless it has been converted into living space. Tax Assessors look at the following when estimating a home's square footage: Above grade (meaning anything that is above the ground), heated space that is livable. The measurements are taken from the outside of the house. Any second floor rooms that have pitched ceilings will be measured as 3/4 or 1/2 of the square footage. Any attic space is not considered livable, so are not included in the main square footage calculations. Rooms that are not heated (such as a summer porch) but have utility are taxed at a lower rate. The second you heat the room it becomes part of the main house. Finished, heated basements are also calculated as living areas, but discounted and not part of the main houses square footage because it's below grade.