It is common for floor plans from different sources to have varying square footage. We explain here why these discrepancies occur, what to look for, and what actions can be taken.
Why do floor plans vary
The size of a home can differ across floor plans due to several factors:
Measuring and calculation methodology: There isn't one universal "right" way to measure. Differences can arise based on who collected the information (e.g., appraiser vs. contractor), property type, regional practices (e.g., how living vs. non-living space is defined, inclusion of below-grade areas), and the specific methodology used.
In the US, some counties only require measurements rounding to the nearest foot when Cubicasa rounds to the nearest inch.
There are also cases where walls were included when they shouldn’t be and vice versa.Inherent variance: Even with the same process, two different individuals measuring the same property can produce varying results. Appraisals, often considered reliable, still show an average 4% difference in measured area between two appraisers. Similar variances can occur with CubiCasa sketches due to scanning style and technology.
Property changes: Renovations, additions, or conversions can alter the liveable area totals.
Scan quality: in some cases, the scan itself can be the reason. If it was too fast, if the rooms were not properly scan, or if there was some technical issue on the phone itself, then the output can be affected.
Common differences to spot
When comparing two floor plans, look for these potential discrepancies:
Below-grade area inclusion: Was the basement or other below-grade space counted as part of the gross living area in one but not the other?
Area or walls inclusion/exclusion: Was a specific area included or excluded from the living area in one sketch but not the other?
Renovations: Has the property been renovated, impacting the total liveable area?
What to do about discrepancies?
Self-edit
If a change is needed (e.g., removing an unheated area from square footage), you can often make adjustments using the quick edit tool. Refer to this article for changes.
File a change request
Explain us where you noticed the discrepancy is, and try to provide documents to help correctly identify and fix the issue.
If you only have an area from a source like Zillow or county records without a supporting floor plan, CubiCasa cannot make changes as there's insufficient information to determine the data source's reliability.
If you can provide a previous floor plan we will study it to see where the issue might lie and try to correct it. But be please be aware that while external feedback (from other sketches, county records, or appraisals) is valued for improvement, we avoid making changes that could reduce accuracy or introduce "anchoring" bias without evidence of greater reliability.