Many prospective homebuyers often find themselves confused by the terms “carpet area” and “built-up area,” sometimes misled by marketing tactics or vague definitions. It’s easy to assume you’re getting more space than you actually are, only to end up overpaying for areas that don't contribute to your living experience.

This article aims to help you understand the difference between carpet area and built-up area, avoid hidden costs, and ensure you’re getting the space you truly need.

What Is Carpet Area?

Carpet area refers to the actual usable space inside a property – the area where you can physically place a carpet.

It represents the floor space available for living, excluding walls, service shafts, balconies, and common areas. In simple terms, it's the space where you’ll spend most of your time.

Breaking It Down:

• Included in Carpet Area: All rooms such as bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms – basically, any space inside the walls that you can furnish and use.
• Excluded from Carpet Area: The thickness of internal and external walls, balconies, terraces, and areas under service shafts. Spaces occupied by lifts, staircases, or shared corridors also do not count towards the carpet area.

Let’s consider a practical example. Suppose you’re looking at a 1,000 sq. ft. apartment. The carpet area would typically be about 700-750 sq. ft., depending on wall thickness and whether spaces like service shafts are included. The rest of the area – around 250-300 sq. ft. – is made up of walls and other shared/common spaces that do not contribute to your day-to-day living space.

What Is Built-Up Area?

Built-up area refers to the total constructed space within a property, including both usable and non-usable areas. It’s a broader measurement that gives you a complete picture of the entire physical space.

Breaking It Down:

• Included in the Built-Up Area: Carpet area (the actual usable space), the thickness of internal and external walls, balconies, verandas, terraces, utility ducts, shafts, and other service areas.
• Excluded from Built-Up Area: Common areas like lifts, staircases, and shared corridors.

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Revisiting our earlier example, the carpet area is about 700-750 sq. ft., but the built-up area may be around 1,000 sq. ft. The inclusion of walls and any extra spaces like balconies can increase the measurement by 20-30%.

Although the built-up area gives a higher figure, it doesn’t necessarily mean more usable space. Understanding the difference between carpet area and built-up area helps in assessing how much space you can actually live in and furnish.

Difference Between Carpet Area and Built-up Area

While both are important measurements, they serve distinct purposes and highlight different aspects of a home. Here’s a comparison of the two:

Conclusion

While carpet area tells you how much space you can actually live in, the built-up area provides a broader view of the total property size, including walls and structural elements. This distinction is crucial when comparing properties, as a larger built-up area doesn’t necessarily mean more usable space.

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