People who want to purchase real estate or invest in homes encounter confusing terms which include carpet area together with built-up area and super built-up area. The terminology affects both the amount of usable space and the total property cost that you must pay.
This blog explains these property buying concepts in a simple way to help you make smart property decisions.
What is Carpet Area?
The carpet area represents the amount of living space that exists between walls inside your home. The name of this measurement comes from the fact that you can lay a carpet across this area.
Includes:
- Bedrooms
- Living room
- Kitchen
- Bathrooms
- Internal walls
Excludes:
- External walls
- Balcony
- Utility areas
- Common areas like lobbies or staircases
The Real Estate Regulation and Development Act now require builders to display carpet area information in their promotional materials and contracts to help buyers understand their total purchase cost.
What is Built-Up Area?
The built-up area includes the carpet area plus:
- The built-up area consists of the carpet area together with both internal and external wall thickness and balcony and utility space measurements (partial or complete).
- The built-up area usually extends from 10% to 20% beyond the dimensions of the carpet area.
Example:
The actual floor area of an 800 sq. ft. apartment becomes 960 to 1000 sq. ft. when calculating the built-up area.
The additional space provided by this measurement does not include all useful living areas.
What is Super Built-Up Area?
The super built-up area is also known as the saleable area and consists of:
The saleable area combines built-up area with proportional allocations of common facilities which include:
- Lobby
- Staircase
- Lift
- Clubhouse
- Swimming pool
- Parking area
Property prices from developers use the super built-up area measurement which creates a misleading appearance of increased size despite the actual usable space being significantly smaller.
Quick Comparison:
| Area Type | What’s Included | What’s Not Included |
| Carpet Area | Usable rooms, kitchen, bathrooms, internal walls | External walls, balconies, amenities |
| Built-Up Area | Carpet area + walls + balcony/utility | Common amenities |
| Super Built-Up Area | Built-up area + share of common spaces | None (used for pricing) |
Pro Tips for Homebuyers:
- Homebuyers should request the carpet area information because it shows the actual amount of living space available.
- The loading factor should be evaluated by you when assessing the building dimensions.
- The price per square foot should not be the only factor you consider when making a decision.
- RERA-registered projects should be your first choice for property selection since they provide both legal safeguards and project transparency.
Final Thoughts
The distinction between carpet area and built-up area and super built-up area must be understood by every potential property buyer. The terms influence both property pricing and how you experience your home as well as your investment returns.
You will understand how to ask proper questions when viewing real estate brochures or visiting sites which will help you make intelligent purchasing decisions.
