What Is Carpet Area, Built Up Area, and Super Built-Up Area?
Home-hunting can be a daunting task, especially when you are new to real estate terminologies like carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area. Having a sound understanding of these terms is very crucial as it will help you make informed decisions throughout your home-buying journey.
Your dream home is one of the biggest investments of your life, which is why you should be aware of what you will be paying for and why. Words like Carpet Area, RERA Carpet Area, Built-up Area, Loading Factor, Super Built-up Area, etc. are frequently used by builders, developers, and even brokers. But do you know what they mean exactly?
Here, we’ve outlined all these words with the help of easy formulas and illustrations for your understanding. You can stay on top of the game by giving this a quick glance before you head out to buy your dream home.
What is a Carpet Area?
Carpet area is often referred to as the net usable area. It is defined by the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act (RERA) as “the net usable floor area of an apartment, excluding the area covered by the external walls but including the area covered by internal partition walls of the apartment.” The areas of the house or flat that have carpet include the bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, balconies and stairways. The space occupied by exterior walls, common areas, lifts, hallways, utility ducts, etc. is not included.
Built-Up Area vs. Super Built-Up Area
Now that we know what a carpet area is, let us move on to the next aspect. When measuring a property, there are two terms to be aware of built-up area and super built-up area. Built-up area is the total area enclosed by the walls of a property, including the Carpet area and the thickness of the walls. It includes not only the carpet area but also other areas such as the space covered
by exterior walls that are part of the apartment or office space. The built-up area is also referred to as the plinth area.
A super built-up area, on the other hand, is the total area built on the plot of land, including common areas such as elevators, staircases, lobbies, and other areas shared by multiple occupants. It also includes amenities such as clubhouses, swimming pools, and gardens. The super built-up area is the sum of the built-up area and a proportionate share of the common areas, which are allocated to each apartment or office space. A super built-up area is also known as a saleable area.
Differences Between Carpet Area, Super Built-Up Area, and Built-Up Area
Carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area differ in terms of the area that they measure. The carpet area measures the area within the walls of a usable property. The built-up area measures the Carpet area plus the area occupied by the walls and other areas within the property. The super built-up area measures the built-up area plus the common areas.
The cost of a property is usually calculated based on the super built-up area, as it includes the cost of common areas like elevators, staircases, and other amenities. The cost per square foot for a super built-up area is generally higher than the cost per square foot for a built-up area, which is higher than the cost per square foot for a Carpet area.
Methods Used to Measure
To measure the carpet area of a property, one can use a tape measure or a laser measuring device. The process involves taking measurements from one wall to another while accounting for any protrusions such as columns or bay windows, which should be deducted from the overall area. On the other hand, the developer or builder is typically responsible for calculating the built-up and super-built-up areas. This involves measuring the exterior walls and assigning a proportionate share of the common areas to each apartment or office space.
Tips for Buyers and Tenants to Negotiate for a Fair Calculation of Carpet area, Built-Up Area, and Super Built-Up Area
When purchasing or renting a home, it is critical to negotiate a reasonable carpet space, built-up area, and super built-up area. Here are a few pointers to help you find the ultimate deal:
1. Research the market:
To prepare for negotiations when buying a property, it is important to conduct market research to determine current rates for properties of similar size and location. This will provide a baseline for determining a fair price for the carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area.
2. Ask for detailed plans:
It is recommended to request detailed plans from the builder or developer to confirm the layout and dimensions of each room, as well as the thickness of the walls. This information can be used to independently calculate the carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area to ensure that the buyer is receiving a fair deal.
3. Ask for a breakdown of costs:
To obtain a clear understanding of the calculation of costs, it is advisable to ask the builder or developer to furnish a detailed breakdown of costs for the carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area. Doing so can prevent overpayment for shared areas or facilities that may not be used.
4. Negotiate based on the Carpet area:
When negotiating over the price, it is recommended to discuss based on the Carpet area rather than the super built-up area. This will guarantee that you pay for the actual living space that will be utilized regularly. Always remember that when calculating property taxes, the authorities take into account the built-up area and the super built-up area of the property.
Final Overview
In conclusion, it is crucial to comprehend the distinctions between carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area while purchasing a property. These terms define the measurement of a property and are essential for determining the amount of usable space that you will receive for your investment.
You can ensure that you are receiving a fair deal and paying for the actual usable space by conducting your research, requesting detailed plans, and negotiating based on the carpet area.
The most treasured asset we own is our home. We invest most of our income in creating it. Hence, it is important to keep the above-mentioned points in mind before investing. Don’t be afraid to explore and compare different homes according to their carpet area, built-up area, or super built-up area, particularly if they are within the same vicinity. You may get an overview of
the appropriate pricing and offers by comparing two nearby properties, which will enable you to negotiate a favorable deal with the builder.
We at Puravankara are dedicated to transparency and provide all important information about our projects upfront so that you can make informed decisions while buying your dream home.