When buyers compare new homes in Mapleton, Santaquin and Spanish Fork, they usually start with the number everyone quotes: finished square feet. On a Salisbury floor plan in Utah County, that number is only part of the house. Every Northern Utah plan page also lists an unfinished basement, and on many plans that lower level is nearly as large as the main floor.
That changes how you should shop. A plan that looks modest on paper can have room to grow underneath it, and two plans with similar finished space can offer very different amounts of total space. This guide explains how to read those numbers, how the basement compares between ramblers and two-story homes, and what to ask a Northern Utah agent before you choose a plan.
How Salisbury lists square footage in Northern Utah
Each plan page in the Northern Utah floor plan library shows the same set of numbers, and it helps to know what each one means before you compare:
- Finished sq ft is the completed living space on the main level or levels: the kitchen, living areas, bedrooms and baths you move into.
- Unfinished basement is the lower level, listed separately because it is not finished living space when the home is built.
- Total with basement adds the two together, so you can see the full size of the home.
- Style tells you whether the plan is a rambler (single level above the basement) or a two-story.
Salisbury notes on its plan pages that square footage and measurements are approximate and that plans can change to comply with city ordinances. Use the numbers to narrow your list, then confirm details for the specific lot and plan with the sales team.
Ramblers: a second level of space underneath
On Salisbury’s Northern Utah ramblers, the unfinished basement generally runs close to the size of the main floor. That is the simple reason ramblers are such a popular choice here: you get one-level everyday living upstairs and almost the same footprint again below.
A few examples from the current plan pages show how much that adds:
- The Chamberlen at Summit Ridge is the smallest plan in the lineup, with 1,126 finished square feet over a 1,077 sq ft unfinished basement, for about 2,203 square feet in total.
- The Lucas, offered in all three Northern Utah communities, pairs 1,732 finished square feet with a 1,732 sq ft basement.
- The Harrison at Oakridge Cove is a 4-bedroom rambler with 1,886 finished square feet and a 1,891 sq ft basement.
- The Brookline, also at Oakridge Cove, is the largest rambler, with 2,931 finished square feet over a 2,889 sq ft basement.
If you want main-floor living now and the option to add bedrooms, a family room or storage later, a rambler gives you the most future space for its finished size.
Two-story homes: more finished space up front
Two-story plans stack their finished space on two levels, so the basement sits under a smaller footprint and is usually a smaller share of the total. The tradeoff is that more of the home is finished on move-in day, including the upstairs bedrooms.
- The Carter, at Summit Ridge and Maple Mountain, has 1,832 finished square feet and an 854 sq ft unfinished basement.
- The Hildale, offered in all three communities, has 4 bedrooms, 2,621 finished square feet and a 1,615 sq ft basement.
- The Columbia, also in all three communities, has 5 bedrooms, 2,669 finished square feet and a 1,936 sq ft basement.
- The Wakefield at Oakridge Cove is one of the largest plans, with 3,685 finished square feet over a 2,606 sq ft basement.
Some two-story plans, including the Pineview, Martin and Kendall, also list an optional fourth bedroom in a loft, and the Aubrey lists an optional sixth. That is another way to add a bedroom without waiting to finish the basement.
What buyers use the basement for
An unfinished basement is flexible by design. Many Utah County households start by using it for storage, a workshop or a play area, then finish it in stages as the family or budget changes. Common plans for the space include:
- Extra bedrooms for growing kids or visiting family
- A second family room or media room that keeps noise off the main floor
- A home gym, hobby room or home office away from daily traffic
- Long-term storage for camping, ski and seasonal gear
If you plan to add bedrooms down there, keep in mind that building codes require safe emergency exits from basement bedrooms, and finishing a basement generally needs a building permit from the city. Ask your agent what the lower level includes when the home is completed and how window placement on your plan and lot might affect a future finish.
Questions to ask before you choose a plan
- What will we finish first, and what can wait? If you need four bedrooms on day one, compare a 4-bedroom plan with one you would finish later.
- How does this plan sit on the lot I want? Lot shape and grade can affect the basement, its windows and how the home is placed. Salisbury notes that placement of the home on the lot is at the seller’s discretion.
- Is this plan offered in the community I prefer? Several plans, such as the Lucas, Harmony, Morgan, Melrose, Caldwell, Hildale and Columbia, are listed in all three communities, while others are offered in only one.
- What does the budget comfortably allow? Pricing differs by community, plan and lot. Get current numbers from the sales team and get pre-approved before you narrow to a final lot and plan.
To see plans in person, start with the community pages for Maple Mountain in Mapleton, Summit Ridge in Santaquin and Oakridge Cove in Spanish Fork, then walk a rambler and a two-story on the same visit. For a fuller look at the visit itself, read what to expect when touring new homes in Mapleton, Santaquin and Spanish Fork.
| Plan | Where it is offered | Style | Bedrooms / baths | Finished sq ft | Unfinished basement (sq ft) | Total with basement (sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamberlen | Summit Ridge | Rambler | 3 bd / 2 ba | 1,126 | 1,077 | 2,203 |
| Lucas | All three | Rambler | 3 bd / 2 ba | 1,732 | 1,732 | 3,451–3,464 |
| Harrison | Oakridge Cove | Rambler | 4 bd / 2 ba | 1,886 | 1,891 | 3,777 |
| Brookline | Oakridge Cove | Rambler | 4 bd / 3.5 ba | 2,931 | 2,889 | 5,820 |
| Carter | Summit Ridge, Maple Mountain | Two-story | 3 bd / 2 ba | 1,832 | 854 | 2,686 |
| Hildale | All three | Two-story | 4 bd / 2.5 ba | 2,621 | 1,615 | 4,236 |
| Columbia | All three | Two-story | 5 bd / 3 ba | 2,669 | 1,936 | 4,605 |
| Wakefield | Oakridge Cove | Two-story | 5 bd / 3.5 ba | 3,685 | 2,606 | 6,291 |
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Every Northern Utah floor plan with a published plan page lists an unfinished basement along with its finished square footage. The basement size varies by plan, so check the plan page and confirm details for your lot with the sales team.
Finished square feet is the completed living space you move into. Total with basement adds the unfinished lower level, so it shows the full size of the home. Comparing both numbers tells you how much room a plan leaves to grow.
On Salisbury’s Northern Utah plans, ramblers generally have the larger basements, often close to the size of the main floor. Two-story homes put more finished space upstairs, so their basements are usually a smaller share of the total.
Many buyers finish the basement in stages after they move in. Finishing a basement generally requires a building permit from the city, and basement bedrooms need code-compliant emergency exits, so plan ahead with your agent and the city before you build out the space.
Each plan page in the Northern Utah floor plan library on salisburyhomes.com lists finished square feet, unfinished basement size and total with basement. To walk plans in person, call a Northern Utah agent at (385) 200-3485.
Have sales questions? Call an agent.
The Northern Utah team can walk you through ramblers, two-story homes and their basements in person, and confirm current plans, lots and pricing. Call (385) 200-3485, or reach an agent directly:
- Reed Smith: 801-234-0884
- Carlos Gatica: 385-335-0972 (Se habla español)
Building in Southern Utah instead? Build your home in 3D now and explore interactive floor plans for St. George and Hurricane, and reserve your home in minutes.
Read next: Rambler or Two-Story? Choosing a Floor Plan for a New Home in Mapleton, Santaquin or Spanish Fork