When buying or renting property, especially in the real estate market, terms like the difference between carpet area and built-up area, built-up area, and super built-up area are frequently used. These terms are crucial for property buyers as they directly influence the cost and the livable space within a property. This blog aims to demystify these concepts and provide clear definitions, comparisons, and a detailed explanation of each term.
Defining Carpet Area
Carpet Area: The carpet area refers to the actual usable floor area within the walls of an apartment or house. This is the area where you can actually lay a carpet, hence the name. It includes the thickness of the internal walls but excludes the balcony, terrace, and the space covered by external walls, areas under service shafts, and other non-usable areas.
How to Calculate Carpet Area: The carpet area can be calculated by measuring the length and width of each room (including kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways) and summing them up. For instance, if a bedroom is 10 feet by 12 feet, and the living room is 15 feet by 20 feet, the carpet area is the sum of these individual areas.
Importance of Carpet Area: For homebuyers, the carpet area is significant as it represents the actual living space. Knowing the carpet area helps in understanding the functionality and usability of the property.
Defining Built-up Area
Built-up Area: The built-up area includes the carpet area plus the area covered by the walls (both internal and external) and other unusable areas within the property boundaries. This typically comprises the carpet area, the thickness of walls, and other spaces like balconies and terraces.
How to Calculate Built-up Area: To calculate the built-up area, you add the area covered by the walls to the carpet area. For instance, if the carpet area is 1,000 square feet and the walls occupy an additional 200 square feet, the built-up area is 1,200 square feet.
Importance of Built-up Area: The built-up area provides a more comprehensive picture of the property’s actual space, including structural elements. It is generally used by builders to quote the price of the property.
Carpet Area vs. Built-up Area: A Comparison
Carpet Area:
Represents the actual usable floor area.
Does not include walls, balconies, terraces, or other non-usable areas.
Typically, around 70-80% of the built-up area.
Built-up Area:
Includes carpet area plus the thickness of walls, balconies, and terraces.
Provides a more complete understanding of the property size.
Generally used for pricing and selling purposes by builders.
Key Differences:
Usable Space: The carpet area offers a clear picture of the livable space, whereas built-up area includes both usable and non-usable spaces.
Price Calculation: Builders often quote prices based on the built-up area, which can sometimes be confusing for buyers who are primarily concerned with the usable area.
Inclusions: The built-up area includes additional spaces such as walls and balconies, unlike the carpet area which is limited to the floor space within the walls.
Defining Super Built-up Area
Super Built-up Area: The super built-up area, also known as the saleable area, includes the built-up area plus a proportionate share of common areas like the lobby, lifts, staircases, gym, clubhouse, and other amenities.
How to Calculate Super Built-up Area: To determine the super built-up area, you add the built-up area to the proportionate share of the common areas. For instance, if the built-up area is 1,200 square feet and the share of common areas is 300 square feet, the super built-up area would be 1,500 square feet.
Importance of Super Built-up Area:
This measure is often used by builders to present the property size. It includes the share of all the common amenities, which can sometimes make the property appear larger than the actual usable space.
Defining Super Area
Super Area: The super area includes the entire property area, encompassing carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area. It is a comprehensive measure that provides an overall picture of the total property space, including all internal and external spaces.
How to Calculate Super Area: Super area can be calculated by summing up the carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area. It encompasses every square foot within the property boundary, including shared common areas.
Importance of Super Area: The super area is crucial for buyers who want to understand the total space they are purchasing, including shared amenities and common areas.
Super Area vs. Carpet Area: A Comparison
Super Area:
Includes carpet area, built-up area, and a share of common areas.
Represents the total property space, including shared amenities.
Often used by builders to market the property size.
Carpet Area:
Represents only the actual usable floor area.
Does not include walls, balconies, terraces, or common areas.
Focused on livable and functional space.
Key Differences:
Space Representation: Super area gives a holistic view of the property, while carpet area focuses solely on the usable space.
Inclusions: Super area includes common areas and amenities, unlike carpet area which is confined to the internal floor space.
Buyer’s Perspective: Buyers interested in actual living space should focus on the carpet area, whereas those interested in the total property should consider the super area.
Super Area vs. Built-up Area: A Comparison
Super Area:
Includes built-up area and a proportionate share of common areas.
Provides a comprehensive measure of the property size.
Commonly used for marketing and selling properties.
Built-up Area:
Includes carpet area and the thickness of walls, balconies, and terraces.
Focuses on both usable and non-usable spaces within the property.
Used by builders to determine property prices.
Key Differences:
Comprehensiveness: Super area includes common areas, while built-up area does not.
Marketing: Builders often use the super area to make the property appear larger.
Usable Space: Built-up area provides a better understanding of the actual space within the walls of the property.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between carpet area and built-up area is essential for making informed property decisions. Each term provides a different perspective on the property size, influencing both the price and the usability of the space.
Carpet Area: Focuses on the actual livable space within the walls.
Built-up Area: Includes the carpet area and additional structural elements like walls and balconies.
Super Built-up Area: Encompasses the built-up area and a share of common amenities.
Super Area: Provides an all-inclusive measure of the property, including common areas.
When buying property, it’s crucial to ask for a breakdown of these areas to understand what you’re paying for. By doing so, you can make more informed decisions, ensuring that you get the best value for your investment.