Quotr.ai Dictionary
Gross Floor Area (GFA)
What is gross floor area (GFA)?
Gross floor area (GFA) is the total floor area of a building measured to the outside face of the exterior walls, across all stories.
It is commonly used for zoning limits, cost-per-square-foot benchmarks, and early conceptual estimates when detailed trade takeoffs are not available yet.
How GFA is measured can vary by jurisdiction and standard, so estimators should confirm which walls, shafts, and excluded areas apply before using it for pricing.
Why it matters
Early cost models often start from GFA. Using the wrong area basis can skew conceptual budgets before any trade takeoff begins.