Flat size is 1000 sq. ft. But you get only 700 sq ft.?

When buying a house in an apartment or gated community, there is often confusion regarding the area. Builders often mention terms like carpet area, built-up area, super built-up area, and saleable area, but many people may not fully understand them. What areas are included in the size of the house as stated by the builder? How much of the area will be available to us, excluding the common areas? What is the actual area we are purchasing and how much of it will be usable?

Generally, when buying a house, after considering location and budget, the area is the next major factor that everyone looks into. Based on their needs, buyers decide on how much area they need. However, when shopping for a house, terms like carpet area, built-up area, super built-up area, and saleable area are frequently used by builders. For those looking to buy a house, understanding these terms will help determine whether the area of the house is suitable for their family. It can also help in deciding whether they need a double or triple-bedroom house that meets their requirements.

When buying a flat in an apartment, the area is typically divided into carpet area, built-up area, super built-up area, and saleable area. Among these, carpet area is the most significant. The carpet area refers to the internal area of the house, excluding the external walls, but it includes the internal walls. This includes the living room, bedrooms, kitchen, and bathrooms. By calculating the carpet area of the house you are buying, you can determine if the area will be sufficient for the needs of your family.

Next, we need to talk about the built-up area. In addition to the carpet area, the external walls of the house and the balconies are included in the built-up area. Builders typically sell the super built-up area to buyers. This includes the built-up area plus the common areas shared by other homes, such as corridors, stairs, lift areas, and clubhouse facilities. Since the final sale is based on this total area, it is referred to as the saleable area or super built-up area. So, of the total area that you purchase from the builder, your actual home area (carpet area) constitutes approximately 70% of that total.

Currently, builders are giving significant importance to amenities in gated communities. As a result, about 30% of the total area is dedicated to common spaces. For example, if you are purchasing a flat with a 1200 square foot super built-up area from a builder, the carpet area inside the house will typically range from 860 to 900 square feet. Therefore, when buying a flat in an apartment or a house in a gated community, it’s important to inquire about the actual usable area you will get and how much space is allocated to common areas. Real estate experts advise that buyers should always ask builders about these details to have a clear understanding of the area they will be acquiring.