Get the most out of your square footage. Understand built-up area vs carpet area with this blog, to avoid hidden costs and ensure you are paying for the actual usable space in your dream home.
In luxury real estate, being precise and clear is essential, especially when discussing terms like ‘Built-up Area’ and ‘Carpet Area’. These distinctions are important for discerning buyers who are looking for luxurious abodes. Understanding these terms is crucial for individuals & families, as it helps them fully comprehend the actual size of their homes and the possibilities of their investments.
In this blog, you can understand the nuances of built-up area vs carpet area in luxury real estate, exploring their implications for architectural design, interior aesthetics, and the overall experience of indulgent living.
Table of Contents
Difference Between Carpet Area and Built-up Area
Understanding the difference of built-up area vs carpet area is paramount in real estate transactions. While the former includes spaces within your property, the latter refers to the usable area excluding certain elements. This knowledge ensures accurate spatial assessment and transparent pricing, empowering you to take informed decisions and optimise your investment in the real estate market.
What is a Carpet Area?
According to RERA Act of 2016, carpet area means the net usable floor area of an apartment – excluding the area covered by the external walls, areas under services shafts, exclusive balcony or veranda area and exclusive open terrace area, but includes the area covered by the internal partition walls of the apartment.
Thus, fundamentally, the carpet area is the tangible space within the walls of the residence, where you can spread out your metaphorical carpet and live. It encompasses the actual floor area that is usable, inclusive of the inner walls.
This area also excludes external walls and common spaces such as staircases, lift shafts, lobby areas, and amenities such as clubhouses or gyms. To be precise, it is the space where you can place your furniture, walk around comfortably, and truly inhabit your home.
Example: Suppose you are considering purchasing a luxury apartment with a carpet area of 1400 square feet. This means you have 1400 square feet of actual space that you can furnish, decorate, and live a blissful life!
What is Built-up Area?
Contrary to the carpet area’s tangible nature, the built-up area includes the carpet area along with the external walls, utility ducts, exclusive terrace, and exclusive balconies. So, the built-up area of a house is always more than the carpet area.
Example: Remember that 1400-square-foot apartment in the previous example? If the carpet area of the luxury apartment is 1400 square feet, the built-up area could be 1700 square feet since the area covered by the external walls would be included.
Apart from carpet area vs built-up area, there is another term commonly used in real estate called super built-up area that accounts for common areas such as stairways, lifts, amenities, and more.
Benefits of Understanding Carpet Area Vs Built-up Area
Grasping these differences offers significant advantages in real estate transactions. It empowers you to make wise investment choices and enables a smoother property acquisition process.
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Accurate Spatial Assessment:
Understanding the carpet area meaning enables you to gauge the usable space in the apartment – including the area of the internal partition walls – facilitating better furniture arrangement and utilisation of the available area for your loved ones. So, no more shocks about the actual space.
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Reliable Pricing:
Knowing your carpet area means knowing exactly what you are paying for. Say goodbye to hidden costs and hello to transparency in pricing.
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Comprehensive Assessment:
Knowing the built-up area meaning gives you a holistic view of the entire living space. It includes auxiliary areas like the external walls & balconies – aiding in evaluating the overall comfort and functionality offered by the property.
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Appraisal of Total Investment:
Understanding the built-up area allows you to assess the value you are receiving for the investment, considering the core living space. So, no more guesswork – just pure luxury.
Carpet Area Vs Built-up Area Calculation: An Example
| Carpet Area Calculation | Built-up Area Calculation |
| Measure the length & width of each room (including the area covered by the internal partition walls)
Formula to Calculate Carpet Area = Length × Width (of usable floor space, including the area covered by the internal walls)
Living & Dining: 24 ft × 20 ft = 480 sq ft Master Bedroom: 22 ft × 15 ft = 330 sq ft Bedroom 2: 20 ft × 14 ft = 280 sq ft Guest Bedroom: 15 ft × 10 ft = 150 sq ft Kitchen: 12 ft × 10 ft = 120 sq ft
|
Add thickness of external walls to the carpet area
Include the area of exclusive balconies / terraces Formula to Calculate Built-up Area = Carpet Area + (Total Length of all External Walls × Wall Thickness) + (Total Width of all External Walls × Wall Thickness) + Area of Exclusive Balconies + Area of Exclusive Terraces
Carpet Area = 1360 sq ft
External Walls Approximate Length (assumed) = 70 ft Approximate Width (assumed) = 80 ft Wall thickness = 2 ft
Balconies: 2 balconies of 6 ft x 5 ft: 60 sq ft 1360 + (70×2) + (80×2) + 60 |
| Total Carpet Area = 480 + 330 + 280 + 150 + 120 = 1360 sq ft | Total Built-up Area = 1360 + 300 + 60 = 1720 sq ft |
Common Methods Used to Measure Carpet Area Vs Built-up Area
Understanding real estate intricacies entails exploring different methods used to measure carpet area vs built-up area. Vital in property evaluation, these measurements involve precise calculations. Know the methodologies and the benefits they provide to facilitate your decision-making in choosing a home.
Architectural Plans
Designers take up the guidelines laid down by professional organisations like Council of Architecture to ensure that above benefits are enjoyed by homebuyers. They utilise detailed floor plans to delineate the exact dimensions of the carpet area and calculate the built-up area. It can help you with the following benefits.
- Space Optimisation
- Aesthetic Considerations
- Provisions for Future Expansion and Modification
Technology-Aided Surveys
Advanced surveying tools enable precise measurements, ensuring accuracy in determining both carpet and built-up areas.
- Digital Models with Data Visualisation
- Integration with BIM – Building Information Modelling Software
- Tech-aided surveys for real time data validation and error detection
Key Differences – Built-up area vs Carpet area
|
Basis of Comparison |
Carpet Area |
Built-Up Area |
| Definition | The net usable floor area of an apartment, excluding the space covered by external walls, service areas, and balconies | The total area encompassing the carpet area, the thickness of external walls, exclusive balconies, and utility ducts |
| Measurement | Only includes the actual usable floor space within the apartment. This also includes the area covered by the internal walls. | Includes additional elements beyond just the floor space, such as external walls, exclusive balconies, and service areas |
| How to Calculate | Measure the length and width of each room, along with the space taken up by internal partition walls | Incorporate the carpet area, along with the thickness of external walls and additional structural elements |
| Usability | Represents the actual liveable area available for the occupants, excluding non-usable spaces | Reflects the total covered area, including both carpet area and other elements like external walls, exclusive terraces, and exclusive balconies |
| Importance | Critical for buyers to understand the actual usable space within the property, for planning interior layouts and furnishings | Provides a comprehensive view of the total covered area, influencing property valuation (cost per square foot), construction costs, and regulatory compliance |
| Impact on Pricing | Typically, priced higher due to its direct correlation with the usable space within the property | May affect pricing based on the total covered area |
Conclusion
In your exploration of opulent homes, it is crucial to emphasise the importance of discerning built-up area vs carpet area. In your pursuit of luxury living, knowledge is your greatest asset. Armed with insights into the differences of built-up area vs carpet area, you can navigate the real estate landscape with confidence and precision. So go ahead, spread out that metaphorical carpet, and make yourself at home!
FAQs
1. Is the balcony area included in the carpet area?
No, the balcony area is not included in the carpet area. As per the RERA definition, carpet area focuses on the usable floor space within the walls of the apartment, excluding external walls, balconies, and other areas.
2. What is the importance of carpet area in real estate?
The importance of carpet area in luxury real estate includes comparison of multiple properties based on usable space, which empowers informed decision-making aligned with your lifestyle. It also includes understanding the actual cost per square foot to ensure transparency in your investment.
3. What are the benefits of understanding built-up area?
The benefits of understanding built-up area are getting a comprehensive view of the property, accurate estimation of renovation cost or purchase price, and visualisation of furniture placement for better space utilisation.
4. Is the carpet area the same as the usable space of my apartment?
Yes, the carpet area (including the area covered by the internal partition walls) is same as the usable space of your apartment.
5. Why is the built-up area bigger than the carpet area?
The built-up area is bigger than the carpet area, as it includes the carpet area along with additional elements like the thickness of the external walls, area occupied by exclusive balconies & terraces, utility ducts, etc.
6. The advertised price mentions the area in square feet. Is it carpet or built-up area?
The advertised price which mentions the area in square feet, can be based on the carpet area, built-up area, or super built-up area. You can clarify this with the respective developer.
7. How does understanding this difference affect my budget?
Understanding the difference of built-up vs carpet area enables you to be sure of the usable area you are paying for.
8. Is there anything else I should consider when comparing property areas?
When comparing property areas, you should consider super built-up area, apart from the carpet area and the built-up area. Super built-up area accounts for common spaces such as lifts, staircases, amenities like clubhouse, gyms, gardens, and more.
9. What is the difference between carpet area and built-up area?
The carpet area is the total usable space in the home, including the area covered by the internal walls. The built-up area includes the carpet area along with the thickness of external walls, area of exclusive balconies & terraces, and utility ducts.
