Understanding Built-up Area Vs. Carpet Area Vs. Super Built-up

Built-up area vs. carpet area? Is RERA's mandatory property pricing focused on the carpet area?

You have made up your mind to buy this flat, which looks great on the blueprint and are dreaming about furniture placements and balcony decorations. Feels so good, right? But wait, what are these terms that the builders keep repeating? Super built-up area? Carpet area and built-up area?

What is the deal about these property jargon, and why do you need to know them right?

When buying a home, especially when checking out a flat for sale in Guwahati or other cities, you are likely to come across terms such as carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area.

While these might seem like real estate jargon at first, but understanding them can save you confusion and money. Well, trust us when we say so because we at Uttarayan have been in the real estate industry for over 20 years now and strongly advocate for consumer awareness and knowledge when it comes to buying properties in Guwahati or elsewhere.

Now, let's break it down for you in the simplest way possible so that you are never lost in property listings and real estate jargon again.

What is carpet area?

Okay, so let's start with the term that is one of the basics, and you get to hear first as well.

Carpet area means the area you will actually get to us, like the proper usable area inside your flat. If you put it in the most basic sense, this is the space where you can lay a carpet! Picture this space as your bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and bathrooms. However, be very clear that this space doesn't include walls, balconies, or any common areas that are typically pictured as part of a home.

So, why does knowing it matter so much?

In technical terms, the RERA carpet area is the net usable floor area inside the apartment, and it's the space you can actually use to live in. So, whenever you decide to buy a flat and start picturing your things in it, the carpet area is the space you will get to use.

What is built-up area?

Now that you understand what your actual liveable area is, this is the part you need to understand for greater clarity. Here's where it gets a bit tricky when it comes to understanding the difference between built-up area vs. carpet area.

Built-up area = Carpet area + walls + utility areas, such as balconies.

You read in the previous section that the carpet area doesn't take into account the walls or the other areas inside the flat, right? So, what happens to those spaces? Well, in simple terms, the built-up area meaning includes the internal walls and any extra utility space attached to the flat, like dry balconies.

What is the built-up and carpet area?

While the carpet area is just the usable living space, the built-up area is the space you are technically "buying," including walls and semi-covered areas. So, even though you might be paying for a bigger space on paper, in reality, you don't get to use all of it.

What is super built-up area?

A flat isn't just the space where you live or where your wall ends. Basically, even if every owner is buying their own flats to live in, there are a lot of spaces that you get to use but don't really own. So, when you hear the term 'super built-up area,' it might make you even more confused.

Super built-up area = Built-up area + your share of common areas (like lobbies, lifts, staircases, amenities).

This is often referred to as the "saleable area" by builders in Guwahati and across India. Sure, you pay for it, but remember, this isn't the space inside your flat. The super built-up is a part of the building's common infrastructure that all residents of the flat share.

Super built-up area meaning:

It's everything-the private space inside your home + your share of all the shared areas in the building-that you eventually get to call your home.

Built-up area vs. carpet area: What's the real difference?

Okay, while most people buying homes find it easy to accept the super built-up part because, truth be told, they often say yes to a project because of its amenities and scope. It's easier for them to accept that even if they don't own it privately, getting to use them justifies paying for it.

However, what really confuses many homebuyers is understanding and accepting the distinction between carpet area and built-up area.

Here are some things to help you understand better:

So, when comparing carpet area and built-up area, remember that carpet is what you use daily, while built-up area is what you pay for (but may not use as frequently).

Super built-up area vs. carpet area

Okay, now that you have come to terms with the living area and how much you actually get to use, let's gain a clearer understanding of the pricing aspect. It may seem a bit deceptive here, but the pricing for a flat needs to be presented in this manner.

Say the super built-up area of a flat is 1,200 sq. ft, but the carpet area might only be 800 sq. ft. That means only 800 sq. ft is your actual usable space. And while you have fit in your whole world within this carpet area of 800 sq. ft, you have to pay for the entire 1,200 sq. ft super built-up area.

Super built-up area vs. carpet area can differ by 25-40%, and we know it matters for you. Therefore, don't forget to be clear about what you are paying for and how much you get to actually live in.

You can ask your builders these questions:

• "What is the carpet area?"
• "How much of the price is based on the super built-up area?"
• "What is built-up area and carpet area of the flat?"

Here's how to calculate your space in a flat

How to Calculate Carpet Area

Let's say your living room is 15 ft × 10 ft, and your bedroom is 12 ft × 10 ft. Now add up the areas of all the usable rooms inside your flat to get an idea of the total space.

Carpet Area = Total usable floor space inside the walls.

Pro tip: Carpet area is generally about 70%-75% of the super built-up area.

How to Calculate Built-up Area

Built-up Area = Carpet Area + Thickness of Internal Walls + Balconies/Utility Spaces

If your carpet area is 800 sq. ft and balconies + walls are about 150 sq. ft:

Thus, your Built-up Area = 800 + 150 = 950 sq. ft

How to Calculate Super Built-up Area

Super Built-up Area = Built-up Area + Share of Common Areas

Let's say the common area share per flat is 250 sq. ft:

So, your Super Built-up Area = 950 + 250 = 1,200 sq. ft

This is usually the number advertised when you are checking out property in Guwahati or anywhere else. Keep this in mind to gain a better understanding of what you are venturing into and whether it is worth your investment.

Why does this matter when buying a home?

For any homebuyer, the space you sign up for matters, and we understand how important it is to assess your financial and mental preparedness. In fact, this is why we at Uttarayan always believe that our customers deserve to know it all and should be aware when buying their homes.

When you are buying home in a city like Guwahati, or even in any other city, understanding these terms, built-up area vs. carpet area vs. super built-up, will help you:

• Know your real usable space in an apartment
• Compare flats honestly before signing the deal
• Make informed decisions and not regret them later
• Avoid pricing traps or be confused before buying flats in Guwahati

Many listings highlight the super built-up area, which can look great on paper but may not reflect the space you all actually enjoy. Therefore, learn to make informed choices to live happily in your dream home.

Check RERA-approved residential properties in Guwahati.

Explore spacious, transparent homes at Uttarayan.

At Uttarayan, we believe in clarity, comfort, and care. Our listings clearly state the carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area-so you know exactly what you are getting.

Whether you are looking for a 2BHK or 3BHK, if you are planning to buy flats in Guwahati, check out our thoughtfully designed, Vastu-friendly, ready-to-move-in and under-construction options today.

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Commonly Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between carpet area and built-up area?Carpet area is the usable space inside a flat, while built-up area includes the carpet area plus the thickness of internal walls and balconies.

2. What is carpet area and how is it calculated?Carpet area means the net usable floor area inside a flat, excluding walls, balconies, and common spaces. It's calculated by measuring and adding the floor area of each usable room.

3. What is built up area meaning in real estate?Built-up area refers to the total space covered by the flat, including carpet area, internal walls, and balconies. It is larger than the carpet area but smaller than the super built-up area.

4. What is super built-up area in a flat?Super built-up area includes the built-up area of the flat plus your share of common areas like the lobby, lift, staircase, clubhouse, etc. It's also known as saleable area.

5. How to calculate built up area from carpet area?To calculate built-up area, add 10-20% of the carpet area to account for walls and balconies.Built-up area = Carpet area + 10-20% (walls, balconies)

6. How much is carpet area in 1000 sq. ft super built-up flat?In a 1000 sq. ft super built-up flat, the carpet area is usually around 700-750 sq. ft, depending on the percentage of common areas included.

7. Why do builders in Guwahati use super built-up area for pricing?Builders in Guwahati and across India use the super built-up area because it includes common amenities and infrastructure, allowing them to divide costs across all flats.

8. Is RERA carpet area different from builder carpet area?Yes, RERA carpet area is strictly defined and regulated, ensuring only usable space is counted. Some builders may earlier have included wall thickness or other areas in "carpet area," but RERA prevents that now.