Carpet Area

Personal Finance

Carpet area is the actual usable area within the walls of an apartment -- the area where you can actually lay carpet. It excludes walls, balconies (balcony area may be counted separately in some states), utility ducts, and common areas. RERA mandates property pricing in carpet area.

In detail

Area hierarchy (smallest to largest):n1. Carpet area: actual usable area within apartment wallsn2. Built-up area: carpet area + wall thickness + balconyn3. Super built-up area (SBA): built-up area + proportionate share of common areas (lobby, gym, security cabin, parking ramps)nnTypical ratios:nSBA to carpet area: 1.25x to 1.45x (25-45% loading factor)nFor a 1000 sqft SBA flat: carpet area may be only 650-750 sqftnnPre-RERA: developers quoted SBA prices, confusing buyers. Post-RERA: pricing must be in carpet area.

Formula

Loading factor = (Super built-up area - Carpet area) / Carpet area x 100nPrior calculation: Rs X/sqft SBA price. Carpet price = X x (SBA/Carpet area ratio)

Real-life example

🇮🇳 India example

Builder quotes Rs 8,500/sqft for a 1,200 sqft SBA flat = Rs 10.2L. RERA mandates carpet area pricing. Carpet area = 810 sqft. Carpet rate = Rs 10.2L / 810 = Rs 12,593/sqft. Comparable project nearby shows Rs 13,000/sqft carpet rate. Developer's project is slightly cheaper. Carpet area comparison enables apples-to-apples comparison.

Frequently asked questions

What is a reasonable carpet-to-SBA ratio? ▼

Below 30% loading (SBA is less than 1.30x carpet) is considered fair. 35-45% loading is higher but acceptable in large complexes with extensive amenities. Above 45% loading: excessively high -- you are paying for a lot of common area. Always ask for carpet area before committing.