When buying a property in India, understanding different types of areas—Carpet Area, Built-Up Area, and Super Built-Up Area—is crucial. Many homebuyers face confusion over these terms, leading to miscalculations of actual living space. In this blog, we will explain each term in simple words, provide examples, and include relevant IS codes used in the Indian construction industry.
1. Carpet Area
Carpet Area refers to the actual usable area inside a property, excluding the walls, balconies, and common spaces. It is the area where a carpet can be laid and is essential for understanding the exact living space available.
Formula:
Carpet Area = Total Area – Thickness of Walls – Common Areas
Example:
If a flat is 1,000 sq. ft. and the walls occupy 150 sq. ft., the carpet area will be 850 sq. ft.
Key Features:
- Includes bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.
- Excludes walls, balconies, and common areas like lift lobbies.
- Important for evaluating the actual usability of the space.
- As per RERA, balconies should not be included in the carpet area. Some developers may add them misleadingly, so always verify official documentation.
2. Built-Up Area
Built-Up Area includes the carpet area plus the thickness of walls and additional areas like balconies and terraces. It is usually 10-20% more than the carpet area.
Formula:
Built-Up Area = Carpet Area + Walls
Example:
For a flat with 850 sq. ft. carpet area, walls (100 sq. ft.), and balcony (50 sq. ft.), the built-up area is 1,000 sq. ft.
Key Features:
- Includes internal and external walls, balconies, and terraces.
- Used for pricing by builders.
- Provides a broader picture of the total space within the property.
- Buyers should be cautious as some developers inflate balcony and wall areas to reduce carpet area while maintaining high pricing.
3. Super Built-Up Area
Super Built-Up Area is the built-up area plus common areas such as lobbies, staircases, lifts, clubhouses, and even railings. It is used when developers sell flats in housing complexes.
Formula:
Super Built-Up Area = Built-Up Area + Common Areas
Example:
If a flat’s built-up area is 1,000 sq. ft., and the common area contribution is 200 sq. ft., the super built-up area becomes 1,200 sq. ft.
Key Features:
- Includes common areas such as corridors, clubhouses, and railings.
- Used for pricing in apartments and gated communities.
- Usually 25-30% more than the carpet area.
- Developers sometimes inflate common area calculations beyond 30%, reducing the actual usable area. Always verify the common area breakdown before purchase.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Carpet Area | Built-Up Area | Super Built-Up Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Includes Walls | No | Yes | Yes |
| Includes Balcony | No | Yes | Yes |
| Includes Common Areas | No | No | Yes |
| Usable Area | Maximum | Medium | Minimum |
| Used for Pricing | No (but crucial for homebuyers) | Yes | Yes |
Why Understanding These Areas is Important?
- Better Financial Planning: Buyers should check carpet area instead of super built-up area to get the actual living space.
- Fair Comparison: Helps compare different projects based on usable space rather than total area.
- Avoiding Overpricing: Builders often use super built-up area to advertise, which may mislead buyers. Always ask for a breakdown of area calculations.
- Legal Clarity: As per RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority), developers must disclose the carpet area in sale agreements. Buyers should ensure they receive accurate area calculations without inflated common areas.
IS Codes for Reference
For accurate area measurement, the following Indian Standard (IS) codes are used:
- IS 3861:2002 – Method of Measurement of Plinth, Carpet and Rentable Areas of Buildings.
- IS 6343:1983 – Code of Practice for Determination of Net, Gross, and Usable Floor Areas.
- IS 12779:1989 – Measurement of Buildings for Real Estate Transactions.
Download our IS code App for all kinds of Is codes in Civil engineering.
Conclusion🎯
Understanding the difference between Carpet Area, Built-Up Area, and Super Built-Up Area helps homebuyers make informed decisions. It is crucial to check the actual usable area before purchasing a property. Also, verifying the property using standard IS codes ensures accurate measurement and transparency in real estate transactions.