2 Different Square Feet on a House

[bill777]

I went to the property appraiser website to get the sqft for my client cause he didn't know and i got 2 ones.

Total Under Roof: 1,334 sqft
Living Area (as originally constructed): 976 sqft

i would use the total but another local agent told me he uses the living area.
which one would you use for the value estimator?

 

[Guest]

Tell you what, you better use the higher one or you could be under-insuring it!

Is it a new purchase? The home inspection should probally have it, or someone did an add on to the property and someone doesnt know about it.....

When in doubt, go higher and explain to the client.

Also, if they have a back patio, it might have been enclosed, and then there is more footage....

 

[joshb]

I went to the property appraiser website to get the sqft for my client cause he didn't know and i got 2 ones.

Total Under Roof: 1,334 sqft
Living Area (as originally constructed): 976 sqft

i would use the total but another local agent told me he uses the living area.
which one would you use for the value estimator?

Bill, you always use living, because further in the Replacement cost valuation system, you account (or atleast should be) for the garage, screen porches, etc. If you don't do it this way, you will find the underwriters not too happy with you and will be receiving lots of memos from them, as they will have to go behind you and correct it.

To add a little bit more, the companies that we deal with here in Florida, require us to go by whatever the property appraiser's site says even if its wrong, then its up to us to get the right info and to make sure it is insured correctly. For example, the property appraiser for a house I insure, shows wood frame, when in fact I know is Concrete Block (its painted block and you can see it) however, the uw's changed it to frame due to the PA's website. To get it correct I had to provide proof that it was CB, which this time was only a picture.

 

[apollo23]

Total under roof means just what it says this includes the living area, garage, screen porch, covered entry etc., The living is the heated and cooled area. Joshb is correct follow his advice.

 

[bill777]

thanks for the helpful advices

 

[FL P&C Broker]

Learn how to fill out an RCE.

 

[Underwriter2Agent]

You are correct you will always use Living as that is the under air, some PA will also reflect it as under air. Unless there has been a converted garage or another structure converted to living area you will always use the living area. If there has been a conversion than make sure to add that SQ ft to the equation.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bill, you always use living, because further in the Replacement cost valuation system, you account (or atleast should be) for the garage, screen porches, etc. If you don't do it this way, you will find the underwriters not too happy with you and will be receiving lots of memos from them, as they will have to go behind you and correct it.

To add a little bit more, the companies that we deal with here in Florida, require us to go by whatever the property appraiser's site says even if its wrong, then its up to us to get the right info and to make sure it is insured correctly. For example, the property appraiser for a house I insure, shows wood frame, when in fact I know is Concrete Block (its painted block and you can see it) however, the uw's changed it to frame due to the PA's website. To get it correct I had to provide proof that it was CB, which this time was only a picture.

Sounds very familiar I would like to know which company that was I think I have a pretty good idea.

 

[Aram Fingal]

Um, go out and measure?

 

[gambrinus]

Different carriers deal with this differently. Attached garage space is dealt with differently than "Built In" garage space. If you don't know the difference, do some reading and talk to your UW.

 

[joshb]

You are correct you will always use Living as that is the under air, some PA will also reflect it as under air. Unless there has been a converted garage or another structure converted to living area you will always use the living area. If there has been a conversion than make sure to add that SQ ft to the equation.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Sounds very familiar I would like to know which company that was I think I have a pretty good idea.

Universal is the big one, but really they all do....