Carpet, Built-Up, Super Built-Up: The Only Guide You Need

Confusion About Area Definitions Costs Buyers More Money Than Almost Any Other Misunderstanding In Real Estate. The Three Terms Are Simple Once Separated.

Carpet Area

The Usable Floor Area Inside The Walls — Literally Where You Could Lay A Carpet. This Is The Number That Determines Whether Your Furniture Fits, And Under RERA It Is The Number That Must Be Declared.

Built-Up Area

Carpet Area Plus The Thickness Of The Walls And The Balcony. Typically Ten To Fifteen Per Cent Above Carpet.

Super Built-Up Area

Built-Up Area Plus Your Share Of Everything Common: Staircases, Lobbies, Lifts, Generator Room, Sometimes The Clubhouse. This Is The Largest Number, Which Is Why It Is The One Most Often Quoted In Rate-Per-Square-Foot Advertising.

The Practical Test: Ask For The Price Per Square Foot Of Carpet Area From Every Developer You Are Comparing. Suddenly Two Very Different-Looking Quotes Become Directly Comparable, And Occasionally The Cheaper-Sounding One Turns Out To Be Dearer.