‘How should I calculate Carpet area and built-up area’ , ‘what’s the difference between carpet area and built-up area’, those are the most basic set of words one chooses to search on Google as they set out to look for a home. Most times, what one misses out on in the process of finding the calculation formula is the thorough understanding of what these terms mean. So before we jump into the technicalities of how to begin to get the numbers together, let’s get into what is the basic difference between those two.
What is Carpet area?
In the layman’s language, it is the area that can be measured horizontally as is visible, or as the name suggests, where one can lay the carpet. This area does not include any walls, external or internal walls. It does not include utility ducts, shafts, recesses, doors or windows.
What is Built-up Area?
It is the total independent area of the property unit, including the carpet area, the external and internal walls, the utility ducts, shafts, recesses, doors and windows. If you need be further clear as to what all comes under these areas then the list is : the area used for water and sewage pipelines, A/C ducts, ventilation shafts and recesses for doors and windows.
Now that these basic terms have been explained. Let’s also look at what is Covered area or Plinth area. These two terms mean the same but are used as substitutes. It is important to know the meaning of this term as well because most times it is mistaken as built-up area.
The major difference between the two is the cantilevered structure. Areas like the balconies that have nothing below them up to the ground level, are supported by the cantilever. These areas are counted under the built-up area but not under the covered area/ plinth area.
How to calculate Built -up Area & Carpet Area?
To be able to calculate the Built-up area, one needs to know how to calculate the Carpet area. You can calculate the carpet area from the floor plan given or can also physically do that if need be. Carpet area becomes the sum of all the area you can horizontally measure. These include, the rooms, toilets, stores, balconies and passages. These measurements must be made wall to wall horizontally.
For Eg: The carpet area is 1000 sq ft
Now the Built up area includes the Carpet area + external and internal walls + areas of utility ducts and recesses. Most times, the dimensions of the walls are not available. So it’s better to take an estimate. How to take an estimate? As a thumb rule , the built-up area is 10% more than the carpet area.
So the built-up area = (1.1) of Carpet area
Therefore, Built -up area = 1.1 * 1000 = 1100 Sq ft
That’s how you calculate the Built-up area and the carpet area. Do write to us in the comments below and put down your queries and we shall try and cover them up in our blogs.