#builtupvscarpet

Understanding Carpet Area, Built-Up & Super Built-Up

When buying a home, understanding the difference between carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area is critical. These terms are used by developers and agents to define how much space you're actually getting—and what you're paying for.

Carpet Area: This is the actual usable area within the walls of your home, where you can lay a carpet. It includes bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and bathrooms, but excludes walls, balconies, and common areas.

Built-Up Area: This includes the carpet area plus the thickness of inner walls and, in some cases, balconies or utility areas.

Super Built-Up Area: Also known as the “saleable area,” this includes the built-up area plus your share of common amenities like lobby, lift, staircase, and clubhouses.

Knowing the difference helps you make informed decisions and avoid paying for non-usable space.

What RERA Says About Area Disclosure

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA), introduced in 2016, brought much-needed transparency to India’s real estate market. One of its key mandates is about area measurement.

RERA mandates that builders can only advertise and sell properties based on the RERA Carpet Area—not the super built-up area, which was often misleading for homebuyers in the past.

This change empowers buyers by ensuring:

Clear understanding of actual usable space

Honest pricing based on functional area

Better loan calculations by banks using actual property value

Understanding the RERA Carpet Area is now not just helpful—it's essential.

How to Calculate Each Type of Area

Here’s a simplified way to understand how these areas are calculated:

Carpet Area:

Only the net usable area inside your flat.

Excludes external/internal walls, balconies, shafts, or common areas.

Built-Up Area:

Carpet area + thickness of internal walls + utility space/balconies.

Super Built-Up Area:

Built-up area + proportionate share of lobby, staircase, lifts, clubhouse, etc.

Generally, 25–40% higher than carpet area.

Let’s say your flat has:

Carpet area: 600 sq. ft.

Built-up area: 720 sq. ft. (includes 20% walls/balcony)

Super built-up: 960 sq. ft. (includes 33% common share)

In most older brochures, prices were quoted on the super built-up area, which misled buyers into paying for space they couldn’t actually use.

Impact of Area Type on Price & Loan Approval

The type of area calculation directly affects the price per square foot and loan eligibility:

Pricing: You might think you’re getting a 1,000 sq. ft. flat, but your usable space (carpet area) could be only 650 sq. ft. That's a significant difference!

Loan Approvals: Banks now use RERA Carpet Area for valuation, meaning home loans are based on the true usable space, not inflated measurements.

Resale: Properties that clearly define carpet area have better transparency and value retention in resale markets.

Always compare RERA Carpet Area when looking at two different projects, as this is the real metric that matters.

Sayba’s Transparency in Carpet Area Declaration

Sayba Group follows RERA norms strictly and discloses only the RERA Carpet Area in its marketing, brochures, and agreements. This ensures buyers know exactly what they’re getting.

Their completed project in Jogeshwari West and ongoing project in Kurla West are built as per carpet area transparency standards. Buyers can visit sample flats to see actual usable spaces and match them with declared measurements.

Sayba is committed to ethical pricing and buyer-first transparency.

Why Buyers Must Know These Area Terms

Not knowing these terms can lead to:

Paying more for less space

Unclear expectations during possession

Legal or loan complications

Frustration over “missing space”

With increasing awareness, buyers are now asking the right questions:

What’s the carpet area of this flat?

Is this per RERA guidelines?

What is the loading factor?

The more informed you are, the better decision you can make—especially when it’s a long-term investment like a home.

Choose a Flat with Fair Area Pricing Today

The real estate market has matured, and homebuyers are more educated today. But many still fall into the trap of comparing prices without checking the area types.

When looking for your next home, make sure you:

Ask for RERA Carpet Area specifically

Avoid comparing super built-up rates with carpet area pricing

Work with builders like Sayba Group who declare areas clearly

What is Carpet Area in Real Estate?

When buying a home, especially in metropolitan areas like Mumbai, understanding the exact usable space inside your apartment is vital. Carpet Area refers to the net usable floor area within the walls of your home. It includes rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms but excludes the thickness of internal walls, balconies, and common areas. In simple terms, Carpet Area is the actual area where you can place a carpet – hence the name. Buyers should note that this is the most important metric for determining the true value of their living space.

RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) mandates builders to disclose the Carpet Area in all official documents and sales brochures, ensuring transparency. This means homebuyers no longer need to rely on unclear built-up or super built-up values that might mislead them regarding the actual space they’re purchasing.

What is Built-Up Area and How is it Calculated?

Built-up area goes a step beyond Carpet Area and includes the internal walls and additional usable spaces such as balconies and terraces (if any). It generally exceeds the carpet space by 10–20%, depending on the layout. While this measurement gives a broader idea of your apartment’s size, it doesn’t always represent the livable space. Builders often quote this to make homes seem larger. However, since this includes walls and semi-open spaces, it doesn’t accurately reflect usable square footage.

Super Built-Up Area – The Third Important Measurement

Super built-up area, often referred to as "saleable area," includes the built-up area plus a proportionate share of common areas like staircases, elevators, corridors, lobbies, and amenities like clubhouses. Developers frequently price properties based on this measurement. However, buyers must remember that while they pay for this additional space, it is not part of the home they can use privately.

For example, if you buy a 1,000 sq. ft. flat with a Carpet Area of 650 sq. ft., the rest consists of internal walls, balconies, and common areas. This inflated figure may mislead buyers if they’re unaware of the breakdown.

Key Differences Between Carpet, Built-Up, and Super Built-Up Area

The primary difference lies in what part of the apartment is actually usable. Carpet Area is the real living area, built-up includes walls and balconies, and super built-up includes communal spaces. While a larger super built-up area might sound appealing, the true comfort of a home lies in how much space is actually accessible inside your flat.

How These Areas Affect Pricing and Space

The cost per square foot varies significantly depending on whether it's calculated on Carpet Area, built-up, or super built-up. Projects that advertise using super built-up area often appear cheaper per sq. ft., but you’re paying more per usable square foot. Therefore, understanding how builders define these measurements ensures you make a smart, cost-effective decision.

Common Mistakes Homebuyers Make When Comparing Areas

Many first-time buyers make the mistake of comparing apartments based only on the super built-up area. Without considering the Carpet Area, they may assume they are getting more space for a lower price. It’s crucial to compare flats based on the same measurement standards, especially when choosing between developers or configurations like 1 BHK vs. 2 BHK.

Why Understanding These Terms is Crucial When Buying a Flat

A lack of clarity on area measurements can result in paying more for less space. By knowing the exact Carpet Area, you get a clear picture of what you're investing in. This becomes even more important in cities like Mumbai, where space is limited and expensive. Being aware of these definitions can save you lakhs of rupees and help you choose a home that offers true value.

RERA Guidelines on Carpet Area – What You Need to Know

RERA has made it mandatory for all developers to quote only the Carpet Area in their advertisements and agreements. This regulation has brought much-needed clarity and has significantly protected buyers from misleading marketing tactics. As per RERA, even stamp duty and registration are now calculated based on the carpet and not the super built-up area. Sayba Group, being a RERA-compliant developer, strictly follows these guidelines and ensures full disclosure of all area breakdowns.

How to Verify the Area Measurements of Your Property

To confirm the Carpet Area, buyers should ask for detailed floor plans and check the RERA registration documents of the project. You can also hire a licensed architect to verify these figures before signing the agreement. Moreover, you should ensure that these area measurements are clearly mentioned in your sales agreement to avoid any confusion in the future.

Sayba Group – Transparent Area Calculations for Every Buyer

Sayba Group believes in complete transparency and adheres strictly to RERA norms. Every buyer is provided with clear demarcations of Carpet Area, built-up, and super built-up areas. Whether you're buying a 1 BHK or a 4 BHK, you can rest assured that the space you see is the space you get. Their architectural plans are designed to maximize usable area, and layouts are created with both functionality and comfort in mind.

With multiple residential launches across Kurla and Jogeshwari, Sayba Group continues to deliver quality housing with fair pricing. Their Completed project portfolio includes several successful developments, while each Ongoing project is built with the same attention to detail and vastu compliance.