Condo and Townhome Square Footage: Which Measurement Is Correct?
Why Does a Strata Property Have Different Square-Footage Measurements?
When buying or selling a condo or townhome in North or West Vancouver, you may come across different square-footage figures for the same property. The registered strata plan, a real estate listing and a floorplan may each show a different area.
These differences can be confusing. Why do they occur, and which figure should you use when comparing properties?
The Strata Plan Defines What You Own
When you purchase a condo or townhome, you are buying a strata lot as legally defined by the registered strata plan, together with the rights and interests associated with it.
Under BC's Strata Property Act, the strata plan establishes the boundaries of each strata lot. Unless the plan specifies otherwise, boundaries between strata lots separated by walls, floors or ceilings are generally located at the midpoint of the structural portion of those elements.
The Act also requires the area of each strata lot to be shown in square metres on the plan. This records the area associated with the lot as defined by its boundaries.
In other words, the registered strata plan establishes what you are legally purchasing. The area shown on a floorplan or in a real estate listing may be calculated differently.
Why Might a Listing or Floorplan Show a Different Area?
There is no single measurement method used for every property. Different professionals and companies may use different methods and standards, depending on the property and the purpose of the measurement.
A common approach is to measure to the outside of the exterior walls. However, the legal boundaries of a strata lot may fall within those walls. For example, where a boundary runs through the middle of a shared wall between neighbouring strata lots, measuring to the outside of the wall can include area that falls beyond the legal boundaries of the property being measured. This can result in a larger figure than the area recorded on the registered strata plan.
Other differences can arise from how interior walls are measured, which spaces are included, and the measurement standard being followed.
A different figure does not automatically mean the measurement was done incorrectly. It may accurately reflect the method used, but that method may describe a different area from the one legally included in the strata lot.
BC Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) guidance recognizes that different measurement methods may be used. What matters is understanding how the area was measured, what was included and what the resulting figure represents.
Why Does This Matter When Comparing Properties?
When comparing condos and townhomes, consistency matters.
If one listing uses the area recorded on the registered strata plan and another uses a floorplan company's measurement, you may not be comparing like with like. The difference between the figures may reflect how the properties were measured rather than a meaningful difference in their size.
For example, a condo advertised at 800 square feet is not necessarily larger than one advertised at 780 square feet if the figures were calculated using different boundaries.
For this reason, we generally consider the registered strata-plan area the most appropriate starting point when comparing strata properties. It provides a consistent reference tied to the legal boundaries of each lot, rather than relying on measurements that may have been prepared using different methods and areas that you do not legally own.
That does not mean the strata plan is infallible. Errors can occur, and the actual construction may differ from the original plans. If there is a material discrepancy, it may warrant further investigation rather than assuming either figure is correct.
What If the Measurements Do Not Match?
If a listing and the registered strata plan show different areas, start by identifying the source of each figure and how it was measured.
A floorplan can still be useful for understanding room dimensions and the layout of a home. However, its overall square footage should not automatically be treated as equivalent to the area recorded on the strata plan.
If the difference is significant, ask the agents or measurement company to explain the method used and what was included. Ultimately, the goal is to understand what each figure represents before drawing conclusions about the size of the home.
Buying or Selling a Strata Property on the North Shore?
If you're buying or selling a condo or townhome in North or West Vancouver and have questions about square footage, strata plans or how a property's size should be interpreted, we're happy to help.
As full-time North Shore real estate experts, we can help you understand what the numbers mean, identify meaningful discrepancies and make sure you're comparing properties with confidence.