Square Feet Confusion No More: Demystifying Carpet Area, Built-Up Area & RERA Area in Indian Real Estate

Have you ever looked at a property brochure and wondered — “Why does this 2 BHK say 1,300 sq. ft. when it looks barely big enough for my furniture?” You’re not alone. Real estate buyers across India, especially in fast-growing markets like Mumbai, often fall for area-based confusion.

Let’s settle this debate once and for all: Carpet Area ≠ Built-Up Area ≠ Super Built-Up Area (Saleable Area). And thanks to RERA, you now have more clarity — if you know what to look for.

Whether you’re buying your first home at Runwal Gardens or upgrading to a luxury pad at Raheja Imperia, understanding this is essential to avoid being misled.

🏠 What Is Carpet Area?

Carpet Area is the space inside your home where you can spread a carpet — literally. It includes:

• Living room
• Bedrooms
• Kitchen
• Bathrooms
• Internal walls

It excludes:

• External walls
• Balconies
• Common areas

If you’re looking at a unit in Kanakia Silicon or 71 Midtown, the carpet area is your actual usable space. This is the number that should define your purchase decision.

📐 What Is Built-Up Area?

Built-Up Area = Carpet Area + walls + balcony or utility areas.

It’s generally 10–15% more than the carpet area. A 1,000 sq. ft. carpet area might translate to 1,150 sq. ft. built-up area.

For instance, at Spenta Legasea, the apartments are generously sized, but you still need to know: How much of it is truly usable inside the home?

🧱 What Is Super Built-Up Area?

This is often where the magic tricks happen — and by magic, we mean illusion.

Super Built-Up = Built-Up + proportionate share of common amenities like:

• Lobby
• Staircase
• Lift shaft
• Clubhouse, etc.

In some listings, especially older or pre-RERA ones, this could be up to 30% higher than the carpet area.

So while an apartment at Dosti Eastern Bay may be advertised as 1,400 sq. ft., the carpet area could be only 980 sq. ft. It’s critical to ask for both numbers — and focus on carpet.

🛡️ The RERA Advantage

Since the introduction of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), developers are legally required to sell flats based on carpet area. This regulation came in to protect buyers from misleading area-based pricing.

So if you’re browsing premium projects like Sheth Beaumonte or Micla Aradhya, the carpet area is what you’ll find in your agreement and loan papers — not some vague “saleable” figure.

💰 Why Buyers Often Get Fooled

Let’s say you’re quoted ₹30,000 per sq. ft. for a 2 BHK of 1,300 sq. ft. super built-up. That feels like a great deal — until you realize the carpet area is only 950 sq. ft. That’s ₹41.05 lakh worth of space you’ll never actually live in.

On the other hand, a carpet-based quote at JP North Garden or Raunak Centrum may appear more expensive — but gives more real value.

📊 Area Breakdown Cheat Sheet

Understanding this helps when evaluating homes at Ajmera Island, Neelam Solstice, or Suraksha Smart City Vasai.

🔍 Real-World Example

Let’s compare two options side-by-side:

In the second case, you may pay more per square foot — but you actually live in every square inch of what you’re buying.

🏗️ Under Construction? Ask the Right Questions

Projects under development like Lodha Ayodhya or Suraksha Smart City often quote multiple area figures. To make sure you’re not being overcharged, ask:

1. What’s the exact carpet area as per RERA?
2. Are balconies or terraces included?
3. Is the price per sq. ft. calculated on carpet or built-up?
4. Can I see the RERA registration document?
5. Are there any loading charges or maintenance included in size?

🏘️ Why Carpet Area Should Guide Your Budget

Buying a 2 BHK at Sanghvi Ecocity or a 1 BHK at Mayfair Virar means your EMI, maintenance, interiors — everything — will depend on how much space you actually have. Not what the marketing materials say.

Use carpet area to:

• Estimate renovation costs
• Plan furniture layouts
• Assess resale value
• Negotiate better with the builder

✅ How to Protect Yourself Legally

• Check the RERA certificate for every project you’re considering
• Demand the floor plan with carpet area highlighted
• Avoid projects that do not declare carpet area upfront

Reputable developments like Sheth Younique or Mayfair Virar Gardens often provide this data transparently.

💡 Final Tips for Smart Area Analysis

1. Never compare flats by built-up or super built-up.
2. Use carpet area to calculate per sq. ft. cost.
3. Ask for room-wise dimensions if you’re space-conscious.
4. Compare multiple projects on carpet basis only.

So whether you’re choosing between Spenta Legasea and Dosti Eastern Bay, or checking out value deals at Mayfair Virar, use this area knowledge as your buyer superpower.

🏁 Conclusion: Pay for What You Live In

In Indian real estate, bigger isn’t always better — especially when most of that “bigness” is shared space. The next time you see a shiny advertisement boasting 1,500 sq. ft., pause and ask: How much of that will I actually use?

Now that you know the difference between carpet, built-up, and super built-up — you’ll never fall for the square feet illusion again.

Need help decoding area terms for a project you like? Start with the carpet area — and build your dream home from there.