Home hunting is full of challenges. If we remove budget and location from it, terminologies like carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area confuse us. This happens frequently with first-time buyers.
Having a sound knowledge of these terms is important. It helps in making a well-informed decision while simplifying your home-buying journey.
This blog discusses these frequently used terms by developers, brokers, and real estate builders. Let’s understand them one by one.
Difference between carpet area, built up area, and super built-up area
What is carpet area?
Carpet area refers to the total usable area. According to the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act or RERA Act, it is the total functional area of a flat. It excludes the area enclosed by the external wall, but features the area that is covered by internal wall partitions of the flat.
This usually includes the area of bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, balconies, bathrooms, and stairways. The space excluded are exterior walls, hallways, utility ducts, lifts, and common areas.
What is built-up area?
Built-up area refers to the net usable area, plus the area covered by the walls of a flat/apartment. It includes the carpet area along with the thickness of the wall. It is also known as the plinth area.
What is super built-up area?
Super built-up area refers to the built-up area and the common areas. In simple terms, it includes the built-up area plus the common areas like staircases, parking areas, amenities, and elevators.
What’s included or excluded in carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area:
| Carpet Area | Built-Up Area | Super Built-Up Area | |
| Bedroom | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Praying Room | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Living Room | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Kitchen | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bathroom | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Dinner Room | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Utility Area | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Balconies | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Verandah | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Lift | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Clubhouse | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Garden | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Swimming Pool | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
How to measure carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area?
The measurement of the carpet area is done using a laser measuring device or common tape measurement. The process includes measuring the area from one wall to another. The process deducts the protrusions occurring due to bay windows or columns from the overall area.
On the contrary, developers or builders are responsible for measuring the built-up and super built-up areas. The measurement includes exterior walls and a proportionate share of the common spaces.
How to ensure a fair calculation of carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area?
Whether you’re buying a villa or looking 3 BHK flats in Lucknow for sale, it is crucial to ensure a reasonable calculation of these terms. Here’s how you can negotiate fairly.
Conduct a market research
Conduct a market research to find out the exact rates of the properties with similar areas, sizes, and location. This will help you understand the baseline and determine fair prices for the said areas.
Ask the builder for a detailed plan:
It is always recommended to ask your builder or developer for a detailed plan. This will help understand the layout and dimensions of every room along with other parameters. You can use this information to separately measure the carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area.
Ask the builder for cost breakups:
To know the exact cost, it’s always recommended to ask the developer about the cost breakdowns. Having the exact idea of the carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area cost will prevent you from paying extra cost.
Discuss the price on carpet area:
Builders or developers often include super built-up area cost. Whenever you buy a flat, it’s always helpful to negotiate price on the carpet area. This will certify that you pay for the actual living area.
Conclusion
When buying a flat in Lucknow or any part of India, it’s always recommended to consider the carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area. These terminologies are commonly used in the measurement if an apartment. They also determine the usable area you’ll own after investing in it.
