What Is The Difference Between Super Built Up Area And Carpet Area?

If you are exploring to buy a house, understanding the terminologies used by real estate agents is crucial to avoid making mistakes that might hinder your plans to buy the property of your choice. Developers and brokers in India often use the terms carpet area, built-up area and super built-up area that has caused many to look up the definitions on the internet. It is therefore, vital that you equip yourself with the required knowledge and stay well versed with the same before you speak to your agent the next time.

Carpet Area –

For the purpose of measuring, carpet area is, quite literally, the area that can be carpeted. It is the area of the apartment excluding the thickness of inner walls. Common areas such as lobby, lift, stairs, play area, etc. are not included in the carpet area. In other words, it is the net usable area of the apartment. Hence, you must keep in mind to look at the carpet area before you make your decision as carpet area is what is going to give you a fair idea of how much area you have at your disposal.

When it comes to super built-up area v/s the carpet area, there are many builders which might not mention carpet area at first, and charge on the basis of built-up area.

Built-Up Area –

Built-up area is basically the carpet area with the addition of wall area. The wall area isn’t the surface area, but the thickness of the inner walls of a particular unit. The area with the walls is about 20% of the built-up area and completely changes the outlook. The built-up area includes balconies, terraces (with or without roof), and other areas such as servant room, etc. that add up to 10% of the built-up area. This is why the disposable area is only 70% of the built-up area.

Super Built-Up Area –

Super built-up area is the all-inclusive area including the proportionate share of generator rooms, club house, security room, entrance lobby, corridors, stair cases, lift shafts, lift lobby, and any other common areas in the complex. However, underground sump, water tanks, walk ways, swimming pool, open sports facilities, weather sheds, inaccessible flower beds, lofts shall not be included in super built-up area. 

The super-built area that you are charged for by the builder is also known as the ‘saleable’ area.

How to calculate the carpet area from the built-up and super built-up area?

First of all, you should be clear about the fact that the carpet area is 70 per cent of the built-up area. So, if the built-up area were to be 1500 square feet, that means around 30% (450 square feet) could not be put to use, and you would be left with the remaining 1150 square feet as your usable area.

It is inferential that the built-up area = carpet area + areas covered by walls. Usually, it is about 10-15% more than the carpet area. You can also multiply the carpet area with 1.25 to calculate super built up area. This would increase the total saleable area by approximately 25 per cent. Multiplying the carpet area with 1.25 is like a thumb rule and this percentage is most commonly known as ‘loading’. 

Real estate can be complicated; understanding the difference between super built-up area and carpet area is going to save you from being exploited by the builder. It isn’t in your hands to change the rules and practices, but you can definitely make an informed decision when you’re well versed with carpet area, built-up area and super built-up area.